Carri Bass Turns Love for Photography into Something Bigger
Dreams
The Journey of Tryon Builders
Curtain Up! Celebrating 77 Years of the Tryon Little Theater Seen Around Town Earl Scruggs Music Festival
Building
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CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Levin, Writer and Photographer
Mark is retired from a career in education, both in and outside of the classroom. He enjoys traveling in his campervan and finding stories about the people and places encountered along the way. You can follow his blog at FoothillsFaces.com as well as at youtube.com/ TheCountryLifeWithColumbusMark.
Linda List, Writer and Photographer
Linda List’s career was spent in the food industry, often surrounded by chocolate and candy. Retirement and the Tryon Daily Bulletin have provided the opportunity for her to share her writing. Growing up in New York on the Canadian border, she lived most of her adult life at the foot of the Rockies in Golden, Colo. And is now enjoying life in Landrum the foot of the Smokies.
Kirk Gollwitzer, Writer and Photographer
Kirk Gollwitzer is a freelance writer, musician, photographer, videographer, and real estate broker specializing in buying and selling homes and horse properties. A former key figure and co-founder of the Tryon International Film Festival, he has done several documentaries and has written two novels.
Abby Matson, Writer and Photographer
Abby Matson is a recent graduate of North Greenville University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and is working as a graduate assistant at North Greenville University. She enjoys writing, coffee, good stories, and good conversations.
Storme Smith, Writer and Photographer
Storme Smith is a writer who lives in the Foothills of North Carolina. He is the co-founder and publisher of Buno Books, and has a passion for the arts. He also enjoys writing about the history, sports and unique people and places of our area.
Pebbles, Writer
Pebbles is the “spokespony” for HERD, or Helping Equines Regain Dignity, a local nonprofit that saves equines from dire conditions and in many cases slaughter. She dictates her monthly columns about her adventures, and what a rescue organization does, to Heather Freeman. Pebbles and Heather can be reached through HerdRescue.org
ON THE COVER
Through Her Lens
Carri Bass Turns Love for Photography into Something Bigger
(Story on page 24)
Story By Kirk Gollwitzer
As autumn begins to settle into the foothills and the pace of summer gives way to cooler days and colorful landscapes, we’re pleased to bring you the October edition of Life in Our Foothills. Inside, you’ll find stories that celebrate creativity and the strong sense of community that makes our region shine.
This month, we visit with Reed McNutt of Tryon Builders and learn how his company grew into one of the area’s leading construction firms. Reed’s story is rooted in community involvement, and we explore both his personal journey and professional philosophy.
We also spend time with photographer Carri Bass, whose new Pacolet Street studio has quickly become a hub in Tryon’s emerging Uptown Arts District. Carri is not only an artist, but also a connector who brings people together through her vision and love for the arts.
In addition, we celebrate 77 years of Tryon Little Theater, where board president Susie Kocher and Mark Sawyer share some of the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps productions thriving year after year. And of course, no issue would be complete without catching up with our resident spokespony, Pebbles.
We hope you enjoy our October issue, and as always, I encourage you to reach out with ideas to help us share the people, places, and traditions that make our foothills unique. Email me at jeff.allison@tryondailybulletin.com with any thoughts or ideas for upcoming issues.
As always, thanks for reading!
Jeff Allison Editor
Jeff Allison Publisher
Journey of Tryon Builders
Up! Celebrating 77 Years of the Tryon Little Theater Seen Around Town Earl Scruggs Music Festival
Carri Bass Turns Love for Photography into Something Bigger
Through Her Lens
FOOTHILLS life IN OUR STAFF
Publisher and General Manager
Jeff Allison
Graphic Design
Zeal Kadhikhaye
Marketing
Lynn Cromer
Stacey Cullen
Distribution
Jamie Lewis
Alex Greene
Life in Our Foothills is published monthly by Tryon Newsmedia LLC. Life in Our Foothills is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Tryon Newsmedia LLC. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Please address all correspondence (including, but not limited to, letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to Manager, Life in Our Foothills, 16. N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782, or email to jeff.allison@ tryondailybulletin.com. Life in Our Foothills is available free of charge at locations throughout Polk County and Upstate South Carolina, and online at www.tryondailybulletin.com. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year by calling 828-859-9151. To advertise, call 828-859-9151.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Hearth & Anvil Open-Flame Event
Oct. 3, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tryon Arts and Crafts School 373 Harmon Field Rd., Tryon 828-859-8323, Tryonartsandcrafts.org
Saluda Tailgate Market
Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, from 4 - 6 pm 214 E. Main St., Saluda
Music at the Market presents:
Retro 78
Oct. 4, 7 pm
221 W. Rutherford St., Landrum Landrumfarmersmarket.com
Untold Stories - Opening Reception
Oct. 4, 5 - 7 pm
Tryon Painters and Sculptors 78 N. Trade St., Tryon 828-859-0141, Tryonpaintersandsculptors.com
Locations Around Tryon TryonInternationalFilmFestival.org
OCT. 31
Tryon Halloween Stroll & Costume Contest
Oct. 31, 4-7pm N. Trade St., Downtown Tryon
EARL SCRUGGS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Photos by Melissa Allison
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival held its 2025 event over Labor Day weekend with record crowds, more than doubling attendance from last year. Set against the backdrop of Tryon International in Mill Spring, just miles from the bluegrass legend’s birthplace, the festival delivered three days of music, seminars, youth showcases, and unique add-on experiences from trail rides to bourbon tastings. Now in its fourth year, the event has cemented its place as a premier celebration of Scruggs’ enduring influence on American music.
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival took place over Labor Day weekend.
Sister Sadie performed on the Flint Hill Stage.
Dobro legend Jerry Douglas performs with Allison Krauss & Union Station.
Grammy-winning artist Allison Krauss performs.
Traditional instruments were on display and available for purchase.
The Sam Bush Band co-headlined the Earl Scruggs Music Festival.
Shawn Camp and Verlon Thompson perform “Songs and Stories of Guy Clark.”
Sierra Hull entertained the audience with a soul-stirring performance
Allison Krauss & Union Station played to a packed house on the Flint Hill Stage.
This year’s event saw a record-breaking turnout.
The Journey of Tryon Builders Building Dreams
By Storme Smith
At the gateway to Lake Lanier sits Tryon Builders, where Reed McNutt steers the ship, crafting a remarkable narrative of triumph in the Foothills region’s construction landscape. With a career that ignited in 1979 as a specialized subcontractor, Reed has meticulously built a legacy founded on exceptional craftsmanship, unwavering client satisfaction, and deep-rooted community engagement, making his mark as a true artisan
of both homes and relationships. Tryon Builders operates primarily on a design/build basis, fostering collaborative relationships with a talented network of architects and designers. Reed emphasizes the firm's commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs, desires, and budgets. “We take pride in crafting designs that are not only functional and beautiful but also cost-effective,” he notes, underscoring the team's dedication to quality materials and skilled craftsmanship. This approach ensures that every project
not only meets but often exceeds client expectations.
Reed's fascination with construction has roots in his childhood, deeply influenced by his parents, who were ardent fans of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Early experiences observing home-building processes ignited his aspirations. “It was intriguing for me to see how structures came together, from framing to finishing,” he reminisces. By high school, Reed recognized his passion for architecture; however, a business degree took him on a slight detour, one
that would benefit his entrepreneurial endeavors later. In 2014, Reed founded Tryon Builders, and the company quickly gained momentum. “We went from half a million dollars to over 12 million in a relatively short period of time,” he reflects, expressing immense gratitude for the unexpected growth. The shift during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly fueled this surge. City dwellers, seeking the tranquility of country living, flocked to the Foothills, creating new clients eager to build their dream homes in the equestrian community. A cornerstone of Reed’s philosophy is community involvement. He actively participates in local events and organizations, embodying the spirit of collaboration. His long-term membership with the Tryon Hounds underscores his appreciation for tradition, discipline, and community ties. Reed's commitment to nurturing the local community is evident in his roles as a board member for both the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center and the Lake Lanier Civic Association.
One hallmark project that exemplifies Tryon Builders' mission was the restoration of a historic Carter Brown home. This endeavor was not just a job but a profound lesson in community history and architectural integrity.
The Tryon Builders team.
Reed McNutt at a foxhunting event with friends and family.
Reed describes the emotional journey of working alongside the homeowners, listening to their vision, and transforming the home while preserving its historical essence. “It was an emotional journey,” he admits, reflecting on the significance of the project and the stories embedded within its walls.
For potential clients looking to create their forever homes, whether it’s a lake house, equestrian facility, or a historical restoration, Reed invites them to reach out. “We welcome anyone who shares a passion for design and craftsmanship to come see firsthand how we can bring their dreams to life,” he adds.
Reed’s story is also one of personal and professional evolution. Hailing from Duncan Falls, Ohio, he initially carved out a path in the HVAC industry, founding McNutt Service Group in 1979. After decades in the service sector, Reed sold his business in 2008, transitioning to commercial real estate development. Though this venture presented
Reed McNutt with some of his clients.
challenges, it ultimately illuminated his true passion for home building. "I always wanted to be a home builder," Reed shares, underscoring the deep-seated love for architecture and design that guided his career trajectory.
Relocating to Tryon in 1993, Reed found himself drawn back to the equestrian world through connections established via fox hunting and local horse programs. His reintegration into horse riding deepened his commitment to building homes and barns for fellow enthusiasts. His first significant project, a stunning boathouse, showcased his ability to blend practical function with aesthetic appeal, laying the foundation for Tryon Builders’ success.
Reed's commitment to quality and meticulous attention to detail has solidified Tryon Builders as a trusted name in the custom building sector. Building meaningful relationships with clients— not only for the sake of business but also due to shared passions—shapes his understanding of
The Tryon Builders team.
their unique needs. “My team is like my family; we’ve worked together for years,” Reed states, highlighting long-term colleagues who have been integral to the company's growth.
“Virtually everybody who works here is more talented and skilled than I am,” he humbly acknowledges. This perspective is central to Reed's leadership philosophy: fostering an environment where every team member thrives.
“It's all about respect and mutual growth,” he emphasizes.
The Tryon Builders team is comprised of skilled professionals, each contributing to the company’s reputation for quality. Key members include Roy Gibson, General Contractor; Debra Sawyer, Office Manager; Petra J. Malang-Gammons, Office Administrator; Phil Dressendofer, Project Manager; Jaime Wofford, General Manager; Shanna Mauldin, General Contractor; Scott Hixson, General Contractor; Scott Greve, Project Manager; Jason Bayton, General
Tryon Builders work against the backdrop of the Foothills.
Contractor; Caleb Eyre, Sales, Estimating and Pre-Construction; Ericka Cornell, Job Coordinator & Design Consultant; Courtney Kuhne, Construction Sales & Selection Coordinator; and Carole Walker, Accounting.
As Tryon Builders continues to grow, Reed remains dedicated to his craft, consistently seeking innovative approaches while honoring the traditions of high-quality building. With a genuine love for the land he calls home, Reed McNutt is constructing a lasting legacy in the heart of Tryon, one project at a time. “I just wanted to do it,” he reflects, and that ambition has blossomed into a thriving business that brings joy to both the builder and the community.
Tryon Builders is located at 974 S. Trade St. For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, visit tryonbuilders.net or stop by the office.
Reed McNutt’s Personal Equestrian Estate and Barn, he constructed himself.
Through Her Lens
Carri Bass Turns Love for Photography into a Life of Art, Advocacy, and Community
When Carri Bass arrived in Tryon more than a decade ago, her impact was immediate. With a smile as bright as her camera flash and an enthusiasm that could fill a gallery, she became a striking addition to the town. It wasn’t long before her energy started leaving fingerprints across the cultural fabric of the community. Carri isn’t just a photographer. She’s a champion for the arts, a community connector, and a person who sees beauty in the everyday — even in the reflections of flagpoles in car windshields or the curve of moonlit rooftops. Wherever she goes, she carries with her a unique lens through which the world becomes art.
Spend even a few minutes with Carri and it becomes clear: she’s a natural cheerleader. Not just for people, but for places, events, causes, and small-town spirit. She doesn’t just take part in Tryon’s culture — she helps create it.
A recent portrait of Bass, whose work and energy have made her one of Tryon’s most recognizable creative forces. (Photo by Carri Bass)
Bass’s artistic eye turns a simple set of tracks into a striking blackand-white narrative of Tryon’s landscape. (Photo by Carri Bass)
Carri Bass finds the sublime in the everyday—here capturing a dramatic sky scene above a field in the Carolina countryside. (Photo by Carri Bass)
She sits on the board of the Tryon Downtown Development Association and currently serves as vice president of the Tryon International Film Festival. In both roles, she has become a creative visionary and change agent, helping to shape the future direction and outreach of each organization. She was also the original force behind the Fourth Friday Art Walk. Not only is Carri active in the community, but she also maintains a large and impressive
circle of friends and colleagues, reflecting the warmth and trust she inspires in those around her.
In a town where businesses often compete more than collaborate, Carri is the rare kind of creative who constantly lifts others up. She promotes other artists, shops, musicians, and community members with a sincerity that never feels performative. Her recently opened studio on Pacolet Street, across from the Tryon Post Office, is more
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Bass often blends her love of local pride with photography, seen here outside her studio with the camera that’s helped shape her career. (Photo by Carri Bass)
An image from Bass’s wildlife photography collection captures a heron with its catch at a reflective moment in the wetlands. (Photo by Carri Bass)
than a workspace — it’s a new hub in the emerging Uptown Arts District, joining spots like Mirrorball Gallery, the Fitzgerald, and the Livery Pourhouse in shaping a new rhythm for that side of town.
Born in Rosamond, California, in the Mojave Desert, Carri grew up in a military family and later attended high school in Long Beach, Mississippi.
“Mississippi gets a bad rap,” she said during our interview. “But I experienced less bigotry there than I did in parts of California and Massachusetts.”
Her path to Tryon was anything but direct. She studied finance, lived in Vancouver during her husband's postdoctoral fellowship, worked in geology at Arizona State University, and eventually took a job at a prominent national photo lab, where her photography career began. She later became the black-and-white staff photographer at Wofford College, contributing to both Wofford Today and the student magazine Old Black and Gold. In 1995, she opened her first portrait studio in Spartan -
Jacksons Grove UMC
Photographer Carri Bass poses outside her new studio on Pacolet Street in Tryon, N.C., where she has become a catalyst for creativity and community engagement. (Photo by Carri Bass)
From left: David, Carri, and Michael. (Photo by Carri Bass)
burg. There, she became known for her affordable pricing, artistic consistency, and a “Watch Me Grow” program that documented children over the years.
Carri’s deep knowledge of sports photography and her passion for college football set her apart from many of her peers in the arts. That blend of visual precision and athletic insight makes her a uniquely well-rounded storyteller — one whose work is rooted in both instinct and timing.
Though she experienced significant health challenges that cast doubt on her ability to have children, Carri remained hopeful. Eventually, and to her doctors’ surprise, she gave birth to two sons, David and Mi -
chael. She recalled carrying David with her on photo assignments until he was three years old, capturing life while nurturing it in real time. Her eye never stops working. During our walk together, she commented on the way a shadow fell across the sidewalk, how the afternoon light played against a windowpane, or how a dog’s collar caught the sun just right. That quiet, constant attention to detail has become her signature.
Her new studio, Carri Bass Photography & Art, reflects this multidimensional approach. While she continues corporate photography for clients like USC Upstate and TD Bank, she also hosts monthly guest artists.
“When people come to see other artists’ work, they discover mine too,” she said. “It’s the best kind of advertising.”
Her relocation to Pacolet Street wasn’t about convenience. It was about vision. She observed how many people walk into the post office daily and realized it was an ideal location for visibility and connection. From her window, she can see the movement of Tryon — people going about their lives, unaware that they’ve just walked into a potential photograph. She’s put serious work into her space. Carri chose the floors and lighting, and even built the gallery walls herself. The place is welcoming, modern, and versatile — much
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Bass behind the lens in an early self-portrait, emblematic of her lifelong commitment to seeing and sharing the world through photography. (Photo by Carri Bass)
like Carri. One of Carri’s most defining qualities is her love for travel. She has explored extensively across the globe, always returning home with fresh perspectives and stories that influence her creative eye and inform her community work. When she’s not photographing, organizing art events, or promoting fellow creatives, Carri spends time with her life partner, Mark Pruett — an author, college professor, and fellow lover of art and culture. Their time together is often centered around good
conversation, creativity, and the shared joy of being part of a community like Tryon.
Tryon has always had a strong creative current, but Carri Bass adds something rare: a steady warmth and a wide lens. In a town full of artists, she stands out not just for her work but for the way she sees others. She doesn’t just frame subjects in her camera; she frames them in kindness.
Carri makes you smile. And in a place like Tryon, that may be the most meaningful art of all.
Susie Kocher and Mark Sawyer During Production of Bright Star
(Photo courtesy of Tryon Little Theater)
Story and photography by Abby Matson, additional photos submitted by Tryon Little Theater
“Ijoke that this place is a vortex, I’m not sure it’s a joke…it’s almost like magic.”
This is what Mark Sawyer, the former president and current vice president of the Tryon Little Theater, had to say about the town of Tryon and its rich history of the fine arts. The foothills have continued to hold a sense of “magic” for the creatives in the world. From the likes of Hemingway to Sandburg, these mountains have housed and inspired some of the greatest legacies of the artistic world, and they continue to do so today.
One place where this truth is echoed after every curtain call is the Tryon Little Theater. From its first show in 1948 (Booth Tarkington’s “The Trysting Place”) to its current season, the TLT has been a place of discovery, identity, and familiarity for the foothill region. This October, the theater celebrates its 77th year of productions, looking back at its legacy, challenges, and victories, while also looking forward to what is to come in the next 77 years.
TLT cast of State Fair, 2023 (Photo courtesy of Tryon Little Theater)
Sawyer in TLT’s Production of Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, 20212022 Season (Photo courtesy of Tryon Little Theater)
TLT Board President Susie Kocher and Mark Sawyer are two individuals who have been closely acquainted with the theater and have endured its most challenging moments to ensure that the community is artistically developed and supported.
Kocher, a Penn State graduate, had done some shows in high school and college before coming to the Tryon area. As years went by, she thought her theater days were behind her.
Though hesitant, she decided to audition for Cole Porter’s Anything Goes.
“I had this red dress on, I auditioned at TFAC... and I got to do one show a year,” she says. “I still worked my full-time job, had my kids, still sang with my band a little bit, but it changed my whole life. So, then somebody talked me into being on the board. I was secretary—and then I got bamboozled into being president the next year!” She recounts that during her time on the board, which she was the president of three separate times, the theater went through many ups and downs, especially during
The dressing room at Tryon Little Theater
the recession of 2008.
Though this historic moment could have meant the end of the company, Kocher believed in the theater and the home she had found.
“All the arts were struggling, so we threw together a fundraiser at the Tryon Fine Arts Center,” she explains. “We raised $5,000, and we got out of the red.”
This fundraiser is just one example of Kocher’s efforts to keep the TLT alive.
She gives a lot of credit to the community itself for supporting the theater, giving special thanks to
the Polk County Community Foundation for their continued generosity in supporting the company’s vision, whether that be through gifting the Sunnydale space, writing grants during the pandemic, or even offering emergency grants to fix damages following Hurricane Helene.
In the theater’s time of need, the board and the community held it up.
Similar to Susie, Mark Sawyer found a home worth fighting for in the Tryon Little Theater. Sawyer first moved to the Tryon area in 2016 and
TLT Backstage
was introduced to the TLT three years later. While he studied theater in college and worked at a playhouse, the busyness of life put the stage on the back burner. Soon after moving to the area, the Tryon Little Theater sparked his love of the stagelife once again when he auditioned and performed his first show, The Book Club Play (2019), and the rest is history.
According to Sawyer, it was like coming home.
“It was just a return,” he says. “It felt full circle, you know, because I had left the theater so many years ago, and it was just unresolved.
And they welcomed me like a family, and I got on the board and ended up becoming president during COVID.”
For many involved in the theater, this sentiment is shared. Those who find themselves amongst preshow rituals and costume fittings, scene changes and cues, find themselves with a family and home like no other.
Despite being president of the board in one of the most unprecedented times for the arts, Sawyer never stopped fighting for the family he had built in the Tryon Little Theater. He
TLT Backstage
recalls a moment when the company was close to losing the building:
“The landlord decided he needed to sell this building and we had to make a decision,” Sawyer says. “We were going to be out on the street. And we had been looking for a home for years and just could not find a suitable building. And I was president, and I went to the board, and I’m like, look, we’re here. We know this works. It’s not the best building. It’s not what everybody wanted, but we don’t have to spend any money to make it a theater. It already is. And if we don’t,
we’re out.”
Because of his defense of the space, the company was spurred to buy the building outright, effectively keeping its productions on track for the community to enjoy. Having endured so many challenges, Susie and Mark lift up the foothills community as both their purpose and source of support. The theater has long existed to pour into and to be poured into by their community. These persistent efforts in the last 77 years to progress and grow have impacted the community at large across generations. The youth of the foothills have been
uniquely poured into by the Tryon Little Theater. The theater has a youth program that gives kids a chance to learn and develop theater skills and to be a part of a production at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Sawyer states that partnering with youth has greatly impacted their theater and its mission.
“One of the most satisfying things is the number of people that come back and say, ‘we want to help you because you changed my child’s life,’ ” he says. This is a statement that the board has heard from many parents who have
enrolled their children in the youth program and found them changed for the better in the end; many of the youth even stay with the TLT into their adult years.
For children, being a part of a show in some capacity is a unique catalyst for personal change. They find themselves stretched in new ways, develop new skills, and become more confident in who they are. As younger generations continue to become increasingly more anxious, the theater exists as a place of expression and realization, where reality can be
TLT Playbill Board
suspended and creativity fostered. Most prominently, those involved in theater form friendships with people they may never have expected and find a place where they belong. Kocher validates this point, saying, “The theater is extremely welcoming and extremely open to all. Everyone is seen and no one is dismissed.”
In addition to pouring into the younger generations, the TLT has also endured through and provided a sense of relief to their community during difficult times,
especially during the pandemic.
“The actors wanted to do the shows, the people wanted to come see shows,” says Kocher. “We did a show, and it was the second weekend, and people were beating down the door to get in. We put up a sign that said, ‘you have to wear a mask,’ but we’re going to sell as many tickets as we can sell. And we did sell out.”
In a historic moment that could have meant the collapse of the company, as it did for so many other businesses
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TLT’s Sunnydale Building (Photo courtesy of Tryon Little Theater)
TLT cast of The Sound of Music, 2009-2010 Season (Photo courtesy of Tryon Little Theater)
around the world, the people of Tryon and the surrounding areas were desperate for the theater to bring them together, just as they have always done.
Today, as the Tryon Little Theater comes up on its 77th year, the board is looking ahead to ways to keep their productions going for as long as they can and to continue to give back to the public. Susie and Mark mention plans to launch a capital campaign to get some much-needed renovations to their theater building, offer quality productions, and propel some of their business practices into a modern world while preserving their history and legacy. They also
wish to work further with the PCCF to get more presence in the schools and offer more classes for the youth in the area.
The two agree that the success of the capital campaign rests on the engagement of the community. As the TLT has continued to be there for the people of Tryon across all ages, the board recognizes that they could not be where they are today if not for the local support, and they are confident that their community will once again rally around them. Aptly put by Mark Sawyer, “The community insists that we stay alive, because we couldn’t if they didn’t.”
Sonnet with Cathy Schwartz of Smokey Hollow Farm in Tryon
Poetry in Motion
By Pebbles
Alithe ballet dancer whirls flawlessly across the polished stage. The agile downhill skier moves effortlessly over the freshly fallen snow. Then, there is me, Pebbles, the regal “spokespony” of HERD, prancing with ease across my groomed pasture, pure poetry in motion.
“Poetry in motion” is a well-known idiom that describes something or someone that moves gracefully and beautifully, as if it were a work of art. The origins of this phrase are not entirely clear. It has been used for many years to describe various forms of movement. Historically, the term was first used in the 19th century to describe the fluid movements of dancers and other performers. Today, it is often used metaphorically to describe any movement that is elegant and effortless. It can be applied to anything from athletes on a playing field to animals moving through their natural habitats.
It is the beautiful movement of certain equines that attracts my mistress, Heather Freeman, to aid downtrodden animals, overlooked by many people as not worth saving. Such is the case with a Haflinger cross pinto pony we call Sonnet. The name was chosen because a sonnet is a poem comprised of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme and structure. I appreciate and write poetry, so the name is very fitting. The term sonnet derives from the Italian word “Sonetto.” Originating in 13th-century Sicily, the sonnet was incorporated into many European-language areas, mainly expressing romantic love at first, although today any subject is considered acceptable.
Sweet HERD pony Sonnet is a lovely mover. She is very animated in her springy, floating trot, and her gallop
Sonnet performing for her life at the horse auction.
covers lots of ground effortlessly with each stretching stride. She is a big spirit contained in a small package. If she were a large horse, her power would be astonishing. Her distinctive markings also make her stand out in the pasture. Sonnet’s unusual blaze and soft eyes are captivating. From a distance, I could easily mistake her for my pasture pal, Sedona, who is also a Haflinger cross.
A Haflinger is a draft breed with a chestnut coat and flaxen mane and tail. Also known as the Avelignese, this breed of horse was developed in the Tyrolean Mountains, which run between northern Italy and what is now Austria. In medieval times, these stout horses carried riders and
packs, navigating narrow trails to access these mountains. This was a challenging task that demanded mountain horses that were agile, surefooted, and strong. Most Haflinger horses are around 13.2 hands high, although in some cases they can be taller. Though smaller than the average horse, they are still considered to be some of the strongest horses on the market. Just because they look like ponies doesn’t mean that they can’t handle the same load as any ordinary-sized horse; they are powerful equines. Haflingers can be used in a lot of different practices, including jumping, dressage, driving, trail riding, and endurance riding. The breed has also been selected for therapeutic riding
programs thanks to its gentle demeanor and people-loving personality. Our young Sonnet had a bumpy start in life. On August 20, 2023, her owner consigned Sonnet into a livestock auction in Texas, before she even reached her second birthday. She had a western saddle on her back to show she was going to be a riding pony. This was done in hopes that having tack on her would sell the pony for a higher price. With her eyes wide open with fright from the bright lights and noise of the auction house, she only attracted a kill buyer. Fast forward to one week later, and no one had expressed interest in saving her at one of the largest kill pens in Oklahoma. She was chipped
Cathy Schwartz with Sonnet in groundwork training
Sonnet with Liz Scoville in Tryon
to be shipped on to Mexico for slaughter. Heather sent a friend, Retta Risley, who also runs a horse rescue, to see the pony in the holding pen. Retta lives about an hour away from this formidable livestock holding facility. She gladly went to help us and took photos of the Haflinger cross pony. Retta confirmed to Heather that the pony was a friendly little filly with respectable manners. We had to do it; this pony must be saved and come to HERD. Funds were raised through donations. We purchased her and arranged for Bessie Bell Farm Transport to pick her up and deliver her to North
Carolina. They also agreed to help us by quarantining her for a full month at their farm.
Quarantine does require isolation, and Sonnet did not like this idea. She jumped out of her stall and quarantine pen twice, looking for some company. Finally, after four weeks and no signs of illness, she could join us in HERD and have a pasture pal. Sonnet became a rescue favorite here, and Celeste Chaput took the pony under her wing. She worked with her on groundwork, obstacle training, and grooming until Sonnet turned age three. Then it was time for
under saddle training to begin with a professional in the spring of 2025. Sonnet was delivered to Cathy Schwartz’s horse property in Tryon, Smokey Hollow Farm. Cathy recognized the potential in this young mare. She agreed to foster this cute pony to support HERD.
The plan is to find Sonnet a good home through Cathy’s investment in additional
training and her equestrian contacts. She also reached out to Tryon resident Liz Scoville, as she is the ideal rider to train Sonnet under saddle. Cathy continues the pony’s groundwork education while Liz invests time in the saddle. Each week, the pony improves her skill set. Sonnet has advanced to riding out on the local trails by herself with Liz. She will make
someone a good partner for local shows, hunter’s paces, and trail riding. As I pen this column, Cathy is fielding inquiries about our Sonnet. The right family is out there for this lovely pony.
And once Sonnet picks her new riding partner for their journey together, well, it will be poetry in motion, I know it!
Sonnet in the horse trailer headed to HERD
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