Rutherford EMC has been assisting in serving the electrical needs of a $100 million international equestrian center in western North Carolina that’s causing a welcome stir, both for its world-class equine amenities and unique entertainment.

Located in Mill Spring, Polk County, Tryon Resort’s stadium arena seats 6,000 with six riding rings and 850 permanent stalls. Current on-site lodging includes luxury log cabins, a 50-room inn and an RV park. Three restaurants and a tack shop are open year-round.

For horse enthusiasts and the general public alike, the resort’s Saturday Night Lights series showcases Olympic-level riders that end each Saturday night with a grand prix competition.

Saturday Night Lights attendees also enjoy free carousel rides, music and family-friendly activities such as face painting, juggling and stilt-walkers. There are also several vendor shops to browse, carnival treats, and multiple dining choices, including Blue Ginger Sushi & Noodles, Legends Grille (upscale but with a casual dress code) and Roger’s Diner (1950s-style fare).

Saturday Night Lights is held spring, summer and fall, and will re-open April 9. The public can also watch weekly hunter/jumper shows starting in the spring. Admission for spectators is free to all equine events. Non-equine events have included a car show, brew festival, Christmas Market and New Year’s Eve party.

Future expansion

The complex officially opened in June 2014. It plans to add an on-site sports complex with pools, tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, climbing walls, fitness center, and a sports bar in 2017. Also, scheduled to open concurrently in 2017, is a 150-room resort hotel overlooking the showgrounds, with indoor and outdoor heated pools and a salon and an Arnold Palmer golf course. Innovative equestrian mogul Mark Bellissimo is heading up the group of private investors, and Salamander Hotels & Resorts is handling hospitality for the resort hotel.

Rutherford EMC has been providing the power needs of the 1,400-acre center since Day One, including locating lines, adding services and planning new construction for large-load underground electricity distribution. Rutherford EMC’s system engineer Tom Haire said, “For about a year, Chad Bailey, one of our staking technicians, was there about every day. And a crew was there about every day, also,”

For his part, Jeff Brown, the vice president of facilities/construction at Tryon Equestrian Properties, LLC., has appreciated the co-op’s member-first service. He recalled one example when a need arose, and Rutherford EMC trucks rolled in quickly to complete the job in about an hour. 

Tryon Resort is less than 15 minutes from Lake Lure and roughly an hour’s drive from Asheville and Charlotte.