With the countdown now on for the 2018 World Equestrian Games at Tryon International Equestrian Centre in Mill Spring (11-23 September), we headed to North Carolina to take a look at the set-up
Don't miss this week's issue of Horse & Hound magazine (2 November 2017), with our interview with Mark Bellissimo — the man behind Tryon International Equestrian Centre
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A bird’s eye view: the site for next year’s WEG is a whopping 1,600 acres
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Man of the moment: business tycoon Mark Bellissimo bought the site in January 2014 with his wife Katherine and five other families
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In just 18 months Mark turned the venue from a disused golf course to an equestrian centre with 1,200 stables, a cross-country course, Derby course, 12 arenas and eight restaurants
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Not your average backdrop: the equestrian centre is nestled underneath North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains
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Lake Lure forms part of the postcard-worthy countryside surrounding Tryon International Equestrian Centre
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A horse lover’s dream: from the statue outside the main Legends Bar to the horse shoe coat hooks in the loos, this is a haven for equestrians
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The full American experience: tuck into towering stacks of pancakes post-riding or spectating in Roger’s Diner
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Plans are in place to add 400 more stables to the exisiting 1,200, so that no WEG horse has to slum it in temporary accommodation — all complete with fans
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Fast forward 10 months and this lake won’t be looking quite so serene as it forms a focal point for the cross-country
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Party atsmosphere: Mark has a vision to get spectators from all walks of life hooked on horse sport, with the help of a party atmosphere during shows
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