TAH August September 2018

Volume 14 • Number 1 •

August-September 2018

Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt, REALTOR®

803.640.4591

THIS IS MY NEIGHBORHOOD Aiken, South Carolina — Southern Charm and Equestrian Sport

BRIDLE CREEK EQUESTRIAN 1050 CLEAR CREEK COURT — MLS #103247

A horseman’s paradise on 14 board fenced acres in Aiken’s coveted Bridle Creek Equestrian community. Designer built in 2009, this 4 bedroom 3.5 bath luxury executive estate home has 3 car garage, spacious and bright indoor / outdoor living space, private spa like master ensuite on main level, formal dining area, office and large gathering room off chefs kitchen. 1800 sq ft apartment over luxury 9 stall Center aisle Barn with every amenity: tack room, feed room, wash stall, including large fenced arena with professional footing and multiple grass turnouts. • $1,750,000

www.AikenSCProperties.com 2

The Aiken Horse

August-September 2018

FOX HALL

$2.49 MILLION

BRIDLEWOOD FARM $1.75 MILLION

TWIN LANES FARM

NEW

$775,000

REDUCED

Premier state of the art boarding/training facility with 28 stalls, 26 irrigated paddocks, 250 x 160 GGT footing ring, 2 BR/2 BA luxurious owners apartment, grooms quarters & camera monitoring system.

Business opportunity with strong client base. Additional 37 +/- acres available for purchase with established trail system.

Turnkey equestrian property in gated Fox Hollow w/hardiplank 4 BR/3.5 BA two story home w/pine floors, 2 fireplaces & chef's kitchen. 3 stall barn w/wash stall & storage, 4 paddocks & in-ground pool. Amenities include cross country course, fabulous trails & irrigated show rings. HOA fees only $970.

Winter colony 2 bedroom/2 bath cottage full of charm and one block away from the Hitchcock Woods. This 1368 square foot, circa 1915, home has heart pine & oak floors, double fireplaces, wainscotting, Hitchcock ceilings & renovated bath with newer metal roof. Sought after Aiken location.

Wonderful opportunity to own in security gated New Bridge across from community barn & new show ring. 9.85 acres of fenced pasture w/new custom 2 BR/2 BA frame & stone home w/open floor plan. Stone fireplace, exquisite kitchen w/pantry, screened porch, large master w/walk in closet & spa bath. Includes storage shed.

Horse farm w/lovely 3 BR Cape Cod on over 53 acres in Ridge Spring area just 15 minutes from downtown Aiken. Home has 2 car garage, hardwood floors, screened porch & fabulous deck w/dock leading to a 4 acre spring fed pond. Miles of riding trails, fabulous pastures, 3 stall barn & equipment shed.

3 RUNS PLANTATION HUNTBOX $349,000

GRAY WOODS

Spectacular Aiken Horse District 3 BR brick manor house, with recent updates. Hardwood floors, commercial grade kitchen, art studio, fireplaces, 2 master suites, 4 stall brick barn, guest house, & 5.43 acres of lush organically managed irrigated pastures & grounds. Easy access on clay roads to Hitchcock Woods.

SADDLEBAG COTTAGE $219,000

NEW BRIDGE POLO

$429,000

SUMMERDAY FARM

$625,000

REDUCED

$499,000

BRAELOCH HORSE PROPERTY $535,000

NEW Perfect opportunity for the seasonal equestrian or someone wanting to build their dream home in 3 Runs. 1 bedroom custom apartment over center aisle 3 stall barn & climate controlled tack room.

3 (easily made into 4) board fenced.

Irrigated paddocks waiting for your horses.

Fantastic 3 Runs amenities & trail system. $

107,400

10.74 ACRES

NEW Two story, 4 bedroom/4.5 bath, 3576 sf brick home by Todd Gaul of Designer Builders.

Beautiful hardwood floors, tranquil setting and minutes from the heart of Downtown Aiken. Twenty acres located in a premier equestrian corridor ready for selective clearing for a horse farm or may be subdivided by future buyers.

HORSE DISTRICT

TWIN SILOS - LOT 2

$535,000

Beautiful 2 story home with 5.17 A., salt water pool & waterfall, 4 stall barn, round pen & 3 paddocks w/4 board fencing. New carpet & HVAC systems, wood floors, fireplace, pickwick paneling & ceilings, country kitchen w/granite. Bonus could be 5th bedroom.

Screen porch overlooks multi-level Archadeck w/hot tub. Wonderful landscaping, trails, & HOA $200. $

210,000

19.89 ACRES

LOT 27 FOX HOLLOW

Fabulous land & lots available:

Twin Silos Farms, Edisto Lake, Willow Run Road, High Town Trail, & Fox Hollow

803-215-0153 • www.AikenHorseRealty.com August-September 2018

The Aiken Horse

3

your best friend in real-estate

Your online home for every Real-Estate need FineHomesOfAiken.com

SALE PENDING THE ACADEMY is a delightful brick residence on Aiken’s prestigious Berrie Rd. Easy access to Hitchcock Woods.

Handsome mill work with high coffered ceilings & tall windows. Wood, tile, & marble floors. Kitchen has Wolf range w/8 gas burners, wine fridge, & gorgeous granite counter tops. Paneled library w/vaulted ceiling. Elegant living & dining rooms. Large sun room w/bar. Heated salt water pool nestled in a Travertine marble patio. Master Suite has walk-through closet and a screen porch that faces patio & pool. Master Bath has jetted tub, private water closets, & large walk-in shower. 2 upstairs bedrooms w/Jack-n-Jill bathroom. 3-stall barn w/wash stall, tack & feed rooms. 3.19 acres w/3 large fenced paddocks. $2,150,000

THE BALCONY is the most prestigious equestrian estate in Aiken, a comfortable showplace in the heart of Aiken’s “Winter Colony.” Close to all equestrian venues, the 5.85-acre compound is a peaceful sanctuary within tall masonry walls. The elegant slate-roofed residence shows refined craftsmanship in every detail. Stately formal rooms. 6 ensuite bedrooms w/fireplaces. Kitchen, laundry, & utilities are all updated. Exquisite gardens & lawns. 20-stall stable, 3-BR cottage, swimming pool, large paddocks. $2,750,000

SHELBORNE FARM is a gracious 4 BR 4.5 BA custom HIGH COTTON FARM This equestrian estate has a residence on 50 acres with magnificent views. Interior features are 5 fireplaces, granite counter tops, 2nd floor observation deck, wood floors, stunning 2-story great room, and a framed-in apartment over the garage. Six-stall barn with wash rack & feed room, dressage ring, 150x300 huinter-jumper ring. Board-fenced pastures. Three-car garage. $999,989

4 BR/4 BA residence and 4 or 5 stall barn with charming apartment, all on 12.47 acres. Located close to town, the farm has 5 fenced grass paddocks and an electric gate entrance. The home has: new roof, numerous upgrades, tankless water heater, and new interior colors. Gas heat, thermal-pane windows. Extra-large master suite downstairs. $925,000

CHADBOURN FARM offers an idyllic equestrian lifestyle. The 3000 sq.ft. 4 BR 3 BA residence was built in 2005 and extensively updated in 2017. Light-filled interior. Great Room with fireplace. Formal dining room.

Wood floors, hickory cabinets, & granite counter tops.

Spacious master suite. 20 acres includes a 6-stall centeraisle barn with wash rack and tack room. Large fenced pastures, dressage arena, and 6.5 cleared acres for any equestrian use. $799,000

SNIPES POND is a 4028 sf renovated historic

plantation home on 46 acres of beautiful rolling farm land.

The top-quality renovation by skilled craftsmen from Reynolds Co. offers modern amenities such as a granite kitchen island, French country sink, walk-in closets, ceiling fans, & security system. multiple porches on both floors, and handsome wood floors. The 46.31 acres are ideal for farming, horses, other recreation or quiet enjoyment. Additional acreage available. $769,900

GAMEKEEPER’S LODGE is a luxurious

equestrian estate adjoining Hitchcock Woods’ 65 miles of trails in the beautiful Foxchase Equestrian subdivision. This 6447 sq.ft. 5BR 4.5BA classic brick home boasts wood-&-tile floors, fine woodwork, several fireplaces, & rich architectural details. Superb floor plan for family life & for gracious entertaining.

Riders lounge poolside near the magnificent 1,664 sq. ft. European-style brick 7-stall stable. Saltwater pool.

3-car garage with apartment. $1,185,000.

HILLTOP FARM offers sweeping views and wonderful privacy 10 minutes from downtown Aiken. The 28.6acre farm has a 6-stall barn w/feed room, tack room, & 1/2 bath and a 3200-sq.ft. workshop. This custom-built home with vaulted ceilings, bay windows, hardwood floors, stacked stone gas fireplace, granite counters in the kitchen, stainless appliances, and spacious downstairs master suite. 2 BR, 1 BA & a large bonus room upstairs. Enjoy many porches. The in-ground salt pool with gazebo is the perfect spot for relaxing after a day of riding. $799,000

WOOD’S END is your only opportunity to build or purchase a new home adjacent to Hitchcock Woods.

Lots 2, 3, 4, & 5 are available for purchase. Each lots is approximately 4 acres in size. Zoned for horses and conveniently close to downtown Aiken. The new home on Lot 1 (140 Wood’s End Way) is a spectacular contemporary residence with wood floors, 3 en suite bedrooms, fireplace in LR, 9’ ceilings throughout, and a 3-stall barn. This perfect equestrian property is available for $698,000.

The finest farms in Aiken, South Carolina.

Call 803-640-0123 for estates, farms, homes & land.

FineHomesOfAiken.com Meybohm

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The Aiken Horse

August-September 2018

August-September 2018

The Aiken Horse

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SECTION

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SECTION

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Fall in Aiken 2018 World Equestrian Games News & Notes Eventing Academy Barn Tour Ask the Judge

Our cover shows Boyd Martin on Tsetserleg, Stable View Advanced Oktoberfest Horse Trials 2017. Boyd and Tsetserleg will represent the United States at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC. Two weeks later, Stable View will hold its first international level event when Oktoberfest adds CIC *, ** and *** levels.

Read more about it in this section.

Photography by Gary Knoll

40 42 44 48 53 54 56

Secret Lives: Dewey Cary Frommer Westchester Cup The Vista CT Special Olympics Aiken Art Annex Alexis Cwik

Hope Arellano scores a in Aiken spring polo action here. Hope, 15, was a member of the Junior Westchester Cup team that traveled to England this summer. Representing America, her team bested their English counterparts 3-2. Read more about it in this section.

Photography by Gary Knoll

`

SECTION 64 68 71 72 74 77 86

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Remembering John Gaver Getting into Halter Classifieds Directory Summer in Paradise Calendar of Events Index of Advertisers

Summer eventing at Paradise Farm. Aiken’s eventing enthusiasts from train and compete all summer long! Find many more pictures from Aiken summer eventing outings and competitions in the center spreads of all three sections. Photography by Gary Knoll

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The Aiken Horse

August-September 2018

August-September 2018

Aiken

The

Horse

Aiken’s Horse Publication

P.O. Box 332 • Montmorenci, SC 29839-0332 • 803.643.9960 •

www.TheAikenHorse.com • Editor@TheAikenHorse.com

Time Dated Material • Periodicals • Volume 14 • Number 1

I

t’s hard to believe that summer is already coming to an end. It seems like it just got started, but already the days are getting shorter and the horses, fat from so much grass, are feeling good and ready to get back to work. (If their girths will fit them!) For Aiken’s horse people, fall means polo, horse shows, eventing, foxhunting and combined driving, not to mention glorious weather and the return of so many friends from far away.

In the Aiken Horse office, fall also means the beginning of another year. We published our first issue in the fall of 2005, and so the August-September 2018 issue marks the beginning of our 14th year of existence. If the Aiken Horse were a child, it would be outgrowing its pony by now and probably exhibiting signs of teenage rebellion. Fortunately, neither of these things is happening, even if the paper has grown and changed in ways we didn’t imagine 13 years ago when we put out the first issue: a 28 page tabloid that we imagined would be a little quarterly black and white paper with a few ads and a few articles.

This will be an eventful fall in Aiken. The biggest news is that the World Equestrian Games will be just up the road in North Carolina at the Tryon International Equestrian Center this September. There will be a number of familiar riders competing there, and quite a lot of Aiken’s horse people will be taking advantage of the unparalleled opportunity to see so many world class equestrians in their own back yard.

Closer to home, Aiken will have its own international competition at the end of September at Stable View.

That facility has stepped up its game another notch,

August-September 2018

adding three international divisions to its annual Oktoberfest horse trials. Don’t miss it!

We have much more information about the WEG, Stable View and other new equestrian opportunities in this issue. We also have a new series we are starting about how to get into various different disciplines.

The first discipline we are addressing is AQHA showmanship at halter, which is gaining a bit of a following here in Aiken. (Find that in Section Three.)

Our profiles this time include one of Cary Frommer, who it the president of the Aiken Training Track, and one of Alexis Cwik, a young dressage trainer. We also have the popular Secret Lives feature about a retired horse, and the ever-informative Ask the Judge with Amy McElroy, who answers your questions about dressage.

Finally, in Section Three you will find an article about the racehorse trainer John Gaver, who brought horses to the Aiken Training Track in 1942, trained there until his retirement in 1977, and remained an important presence in Aiken until his death in 1982.

This is part of our Remembering Aiken’s Horsemen series, which we started a few years ago to celebrate the many outstanding horsemen from decades past who helped establish Aiken’s reputation as a horse haven.

John Gaver was a remarkable man with an astounding story and it was a real pleasure to go back in time to meet him. Writing this story also reminded me of how much incredible history lies at the base of our Aiken horse community, and how important it is to remember it. I hope you enjoy reading the story and learning about John Gaver as much as I did. We are planning more historical pieces like this one: it seems that everywhere we look, there is another horse person with a fascinating life. We don’t want to let these stories disappear.

Please enjoy this issue. If you have been out of town for the summer, welcome back! We hope to see everyone out and about, on or off a horse, somewhere this fall. We think it’s going to be fantastic.

Enjoy your horses!

The Aiken Horse EDITOR & PUBLISHER Pam Gleason

ART DIRECTOR Gary Knoll

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jean Berko Gleason

LAYOUT & DESIGN Gary Knoll

PHOTOGRAPHERS Pam Gleason Gary Knoll

ADVERTISING

803.643.9960 editor@theaikenhorse.com

Going Out Of Town?

Don’t miss future issues of The Aiken Horse.

We will send you a one year subscription (6 issues) for $24.00. Send check or CC # & your mailing address: P.O. Box 332, Montmorenci, SC 29839 Or sign up on the web at www.TheAikenHorse. com

Aiken

The

Horse

Aiken’s Horse Publication

All contents Copyright 2018 The Aiken Horse The Aiken Horse Policies: The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers, editors, or the policies of The Aiken Horse, LLC. The Aiken Horse is owned by The Aiken Horse, LLC.

Pam Gleason Editor & Publisher

The Aiken Horse

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Fall in Aiken 2018 Action is heating up

T

he days are getting shorter and the heat is slowly starting to fade here in Aiken. There is a growing sense of purpose in the air. Fall is coming, and with it, a plethora of equestrian events in many different disciplines. Fall is always an exciting time in Aiken. After a quieter summer with many horsemen dispersed to cooler climes, as August turns to September, the horses and their riders return, ready for another active season.

What’s up this fall? Be sure to check out our calendar in Section Three for a full listing. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Foxhunting

The foxhunting in Aiken gets its formal start in November. The Aiken Hounds, which is the city’s oldest and most iconic foxhunt, has its traditional Blessing of the Hounds on Thanksgiving Day at Memorial Gate, a pleasant walk from the Hitchcock Woods South Boundary entrance. Aiken’s other foxhunts have their own blessings within a week or so of that date.

Before the formal season gets started, however, there is the informal cubbing season in October, which is a good time for members of the hunts to get their horses and themselves fit for all the action. The various local hunts also often offer some other pre-season activities to make sure that horses, riders and hounds are mentally and physically ready before blessing day.

Some hunts, such as The Aiken Hounds, have activities in the summer and fall that are open to the public, offering returning members and newcomers alike an opportunity to get out in the country with the hounds. Over the summer, riders can join the Aiken Hounds staff in the Hitchcock Woods for hound walking. This is a good way to introduce horses to the sport and is a pleasant, sociable activity for those who might be feeling a little isolated during the quieter summer season.

Hound walking takes place Tuesdays and Fridays at 9 am in the Woods.

Those who are not members of the hunt must bring proof of negative Coggins and sign a release. Call the Aiken Hounds hotline for more information. (803-643-3724; remember 803-643-DRAG) In September, the Aiken Hounds will hold weekly Saturday morning trail rides in the Woods. These start at 10 am, and include a lunch afterwards (there is a small fee required.) The trail rides, like the hunts that will take place later on, are divided into three flights: a jumping flight, a walk-trot-canter flight and a walk-trot flight. Again, these are a

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The Aiken Horse

good way to acquaint new horses and riders to the concept of traveling in a group and to start getting fit for the season. If you are new to the area or to foxhunting, they also might be an excellent way to introduce yourself, especially if you are thinking of applying for membership. (So long as you remain on your best behavior, that is!)

Polo

Polo practices have been going on at private farms in Aiken through most of the summer, weather permitting (There has been a lot of rain.)

The season will really get started in September, however. There will be practices for members of Aiken Polo Club and Wagener Polo Club on various fields in the 302 corridor east of town starting early in the month. The first tournament of the fall season, the Northrup Knox Cup 12-goal at New Bridge Polo Club, is scheduled to start on September 12 followed by the Copa de Plata 8 goal on September 19. At Aiken Polo Club, the tournament season kicks off with the Alan Corey Cup 4-goal, scheduled to start September 17. Aiken Polo will have its first official Sunday game at Whitney Field on September 19.

Other important polo events this fall include the USPA National Copper Cup and the USPA Bronze Trophy 12 goals, which, along with the Knox Cup, make up New Bridge’s 12-goal trifecta. During the second week of October, Aiken Polo Club will host the Aiken Women’s Championship Tournament Qualifier. This tournament is expected to attract female players from around the country, and possibly some from other countries. Aiken has a long and distinguished history in “polo for women,” as it used to be called, going back to the early part of the 20th century.

Although the tradition of women’s polo died out in the 1950s and women were not especially welcome on Aiken fields for a long time, things have changed and the city has had a popular annual women’s tournament each fall for about a decade and a half. (www.aikenpolo.org; www. newbridgepolo.com) This fall, female players may also elect to play on Sunday mornings at New Bridge in a program organized by the well-known player Cecelia Cochran. This program runs through the month of October. Sign up by September 1 to reserve your spot. (Contact Cecelia Cochran: cglcochran@ gmail.com or 808-357-0737.)

There is also a new fall practice membership available at Aiken Polo Club. The membership, which costs $750, includes practices on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with the opportunity to play in occasional members invitational challenge games on Sundays in front of the crowd on Whitney Field. Practice members even get a fall season pass to the Alan Corey Pavilion where refreshments are served at the 3pm match each Sunday. The new practice league is being run by the former professional player Tiger Kneece, who already gives lessons and has a highly successful youth polo program on Aiken’s fields. In the fall, he will also be coaching an interscholastic polo team and the USC Aiken intercollegiate polo team. Intercollegiate and interscholastic polo are played in polo arenas, and this summer an arena was built specifically for that purpose at New Bridge Polo and Country Club.

In addition to practices, Tiger will also have lessons and coaching league chukkers on an as-needed basis. Interested? Contact him at tigerkneece@bellsouth.com or call 803-646-3301.

Eventing

Eventing is probably the hottest sport in Aiken right now, and it just keeps getting hotter. There have been recognized and unrecognized shows going on all summer at Full Gallop, Stable View, Paradise Farm and The Vista. As we head into fall, competitive and schooling

August-September 2018

opportunities become even more plentiful.

In August, riders will come from around the region to participate in Stable View’s innovative Eventing Academy. This takes place on a new cross country course that was specifically created for it, with jumps that are inviting and approachable, but resemble miniature versions of something you might see on a higher level course. Created to help bring new horses and riders into the sport, the Eventing Academy starts with a schooling day on Saturday, in which riders and their coaches are able to school on the cross country and stadium courses and try out the dressage arena. The following day, they return for a judged competition over the same courses. It is an unusual and incredibly useful experience, especially for people who don’t happen to have a professional eventing facility in their back yard, so there is little wonder that it has attracted so much enthusiastic participation.

Stable View’s other offerings include a recognized dressage show in August and schooling dressage shows in September and October, as well as a schooling hunter/jumper show in September.

Their main event however, will be the Oktoberfest Horse Trials from September 28-30. For the past two years, Stable View has had an Advanced level event at Oktoberfest. This year, Oktoberfest will include CIC one, two and three star divisions, representing Aiken’s first foray into truly international eventing competition. There will be prize money of over $80,000, much of which is designated for the CIC competitions. International divisions will run on Friday and Saturday with national competitors (Beginner/Novice through Advanced) running on Sunday.

Who will be there? The entries don’t open until August 14, so we don’t really know. But considering that this event takes place two weekends after the World Equestrian Games and the weekend after the Plantation Field CIC in Pennsylvania, it is not out of the question that some of the international riders who come for the games will stick around for some more competition on American soil. For one thing, it is expensive to bring your horses here, and the opportunity to recoup some of that investment could be an enticement. Last year, the Oktoberfest Advanced division drew riders from Canada and the West Coast.

In any case, the Oktoberfest event will be a fantastic time for Aikenites, whether they are eventing enthusiasts or not, to go there and witness an international event at a truly world class facility.

The Stable View pavilion should be completed by then. This is an impressive structure built using green technology that will offer the best spectator experience at any horse trials anywhere. The pavilion overlooks the stadium arena, with a view out over some of the most interesting parts of the cross country course. There will be a live video stream and commentary broadcast on a wide screen TV, which should enable spectators to keep up with their favorite riders without having to traipse all over the countryside. Barry and Cyndy Olliff, who own the facility, have a truly ambitious vision for the project, including the possibility of holding international competitions in other disciplines in the near future. Stay tuned. (www.stableviewfarm.com) Aiken’s other eventing venues will continue to offer their own outings and competitions. These include horse trials and CTs at Full Gallop in August and September; a combined test at the Vista in September; and the recognized horse trials at Paradise Farm in October.(www. fullgallopfarm.com; www.schoolthevista.com; www.paradisefarmaiken. com)

Horse Shows

Increasingly, fall in Aiken also means horse shows. The most exciting of these are the Fall Classics I and II which take place at Bruce’s Field in the Aiken Horse Park just outside the historic district. Week one is September 6-9; week two is September 13-16.

The Aiken Fall Classics, put on by Equus Events, include a number of marquee events. For instance, Friday the 7th features the $15,000 William Howard Memorial USHJA National Hunter Derby. This is a fitting tribute to William, a rider and trainer who is credited with

August-September 2018

helping to revive and transform the annual Aiken Horse Show, held in the Hitchcock Woods each spring since 1916. William loved the hunters and he especially loved beautiful, traditional hunter courses.

The USHJA national hunter derby concept was partially inspired by the courses William designed for the Aiken Horse Show. The hunter derby, a horse show staple for about a decade now, restored more naturallooking fences and traditional field hunting type-obstacles such as banks to the show hunter ring. They also infused a bit of old world glamor into the hunter side of things. William, who died in 2017 at the age of 55, would approve.

Both Saturdays (the 8th and the 15th) are headlined by a $25,000 Grand Prix sponsored by Aiken Saddlery. These begin at 5pm, and should be a good draw for spectators, especially if the course is set in the horse park’s larger ring, where the Grand Prix was held at the Aiken Charity Horse Show in the spring. This ring was originally used for warm-ups, while the Grand Prix took place in a smaller arena. With a little more air between the jumps the larger ring is easier to watch. The horses seem to like it better, too. (www.equusevents.com) There will also be a number of horse shows at Highfields Event Center in the summer and fall: three in August, one in September and two in

October. With the addition of the schooling shows and hunter trials at Stable View and Paradise Farm, Aiken has a lot to offer anyone who wants to put some show miles on their horses without putting too many highway miles on their horse trailer. (www.psjshows.com)

And More

The fall calendar includes many more outings and events for horse people. Interested in thoroughbred racing? The Aiken Training Track is continuing its popular behind the scenes backside tours this fall – check their website (www.aikentrainingtrack.org) or the Aiken Thoroughbred Hall of Fame and Museum (www.aikenracinghallofffame.com). The annual fall steeplechase is returning to the Aiken Horse Park on Saturday, October 27. (www.aikensteeplechase.org.) Aiken’s driving enthusiasts have had fewer organized outings this year than in the recent past, but everyone is definitely gearing up for the annual Katydid Combined Driving Event, which takes place at Katydid Farm in Windsor the first weekend of November (Nov 1-4) (www.katydidcde. com).

There is still more, of course! Dressage for instance, and trail riding.

We have more western trainers in Aiken all the time, but most of the actual Western events are a little further afield. What is your favorite horse event? Chances are, you will find it, either right here or somewhere nearby. That’s what makes Aiken, Aiken.

The Aiken Horse

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World Equestrian Games Local Riders to Compete

By Pam Gleason

B

Michaelangelo have had an exceptional year on the endurance circuit, y now, just about everyone knows that the World Equestrian winning prestigious races in Florida and finishing second at the WEG Games will take over the Tryon International Equestrian Center qualifier held at Broxton Bridge Plantation in Ehrhardt, South Carolina in Mill Spring, North Carolina from September 11 to September 23. in January. Currently, Rae and her horse stand fourth in the world in The WEG are the official world championships of the eight sports that FEI rankings. are sanctioned by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). These According to Rae, endurance is a pretty popular sport in the sports are dressage, eventing, showjumping, combined driving (four-inSoutheast. The WEG endurance team includes four named riders and hand only), endurance, reining, vaulting, and para-dressage. The games one reserve. Three out of these five compete in this region: Kelsey are held every four years, two years after the summer Olympics which Russell, who will ride Fireman Gold is from Florida while the reserve include the three most well-known of the FEI sports: dressage, eventing, rider, Erin Champion with and showjumping.

Kongtiki, is from Tennessee.

The TIEC is a little over two hours from “Endurance isn’t a spectator Aiken, and many local horse enthusiasts already sport, so people don’t come out to have their tickets for one or more events. Other watch it the way that they watch people associated with Aiken are working showjumping,” says Rae. “Another at the games or acting as volunteers. Aiken reason you don’t hear about is also represented among the competitors. endurance so much in the Southeast Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton, both Aiken is that we don’t have a famous ride winter residents, are nominated entries for the like Tevis or Old Dominion. But eventing team, riding horses that have trained the cool thing about endurance and competed here recently. Boyd, who is based in the Southeast is that we have a at Stable View in Aiken during the winters, will little bit of everything. Some rides be riding Tsetserleg, a 16-hand, 11-year-old you are in extreme mountains, or black Trakehner gelding owned by Christine you can go to Florida and do a flat Turner. Phillip, who rides at his own Red Oak sand ride. There are not very many Farm in the Bridle Creek equestrian community, regions where you can have pretty has been named with Z, a 10-year-old bay much anything you want.”

Zangersheide gelding owned by Tom Tierney, Rae grew up riding and showing Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy and Caroline Arabians in “any discipline you can Moran. think of.” She got involved with Phillip Dutton’s ride, Z, has been under his endurance through a friend whose care since 2015. He and Phillip won the very first mother was into the sport and she Advanced horse trials at Stable View in 2016. loved it immediately. “Endurance The pair made their four-star debut this spring is a way to spend more time with at the Kentucky Three-Day Event, where they my horses,” she says. “The idea of finished fourth. Since that event, Phillip has spending all day out on a trail with taken Z to several horse shows to compete in the my horse is the coolest thing.” jumper classes, where he has been entered in the Rae always had international 1.30 meter division. Phillip’s horses are always Rae Shumate-Tysor and DM Michaelangelo qualifying for the outstanding on the cross country course in WEG at Broxton Bridge Plantation. Photo by Becky Pearman ambitions, and when she came across DM Michaelangelo two years international competition, but they occasionally ago, she knew that he was something special. “When I bought him he have hit a rail in the stadium phase. This extra schooling in the jumper had just done two local 25 mile rides, but I had a feeling about him and ring could be helpful to the team’s chances of bringing home a medal. the more I rode him the more I liked him. I took my time with him in Boyd Martin’s horse Tsetserleg is known around the barn as the beginning, and when it was time to ask him, he always rose to the Thomas – his registered name is a bit of a mouthful. (For those who occasion. He’s super smart and very professional – on race day he’s a are wondering, Tsetserleg is a city in Mongolia.) Thomas is a small completely different horse. The greatest thing about him is he is reliable. horse with a personality at the barn that makes him seem more like a No matter what it is, when I ask him, he’s there.” children’s hunter than a four-star international eventer. But put him Endurance at the WEG is an approximately 100-mile-long race that out in a cross country course and he changes completely, giving 110% will consist of a number of long loops into the surrounding countryside, every time. He is bold, brave, clever and full of heart. Aiken’s event with the riders circling back to the TIEC at regular intervals for their enthusiasts will recognize the attractive black gelding from his outings vet checks. The course is in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, and at local horse trials. He placed third at Stable View Advanced last fall is expected to be fairly technical, which could be an advantage for and fourth at Pine Top Advanced in February. Boyd has had Thomas Rae and DM Michaelangelo, since they live in the mountains and it is since the end of 2015. Their first USEF outing together in March Michaelangelo’s favorite terrain.

2016 was at Sporting Days Farm in Aiken, where they went around the “Our biggest goal is to finish as a team, to have three riders complete,” Training level course. (Tsertserleg had already competed at upper levels says Rae. “A team medal would be nice, but we just want to have a clean with his former rider Michael Pollard.) ride. I’m excited. I have a nice horse. Anything can happen on race day, Horsemen in our area have another local rider to root for on the U.S but I think we have a solid chance of doing well.”

Endurance squad. Rae Shumate-Tysor, who is 21, was born and raised To find out more about the WEG or to purchase tickets, visit www. in Cummings, Georgia, near Atlanta. This July, she was named to the Tryon2018.com team with her 9-year old Arabian gelding DM Michaelangelo. She and

10

The Aiken Horse

August-September 2018

The Aiken Horse

11

News & Notes

By Pam Gleason

Grand Prix Eventing

There is a new competition coming to Aiken next spring. On March 1 and 2, the $50,000 Grand Prix Eventing Showcase will take over the Aiken Horse Park. This is a form of eventing that is designed to be more spectatorfriendly than a traditional horse trial.

The first day, Friday, March 1, will be devoted to dressage and stadium jumping in the arena. On the second day, Saturday, March 2, exhibitors will tackle a shortened cross country course that will be laid out in the Aiken Horse Park grounds. The track will be approximately 2500 meters (just over 1½ miles) and it will feature 25-30 jumping efforts.

The level of the event will be Advanced, and, according to a press release from the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, the top 40 event riders in the world have been invited to participate. Phillip Dutton, an Olympic gold medalist and Aiken winter resident, is the chair of the organizing committee, and the new event was his idea. Captain Mark Phillips, who is the former chef d’equipe of the US Eventing Team, is designing the cross country course, while Michel Vaillancourt, an Aiken resident and Olympic silver medalist, will be setting the stadium course. Shelley Page, who is the eventing manager at the World Equestrian Games this September in Tryon, N.C., will be the competition manager.

“We are extremely lucky to have such a prestigious competition that will draw the best international horses and riders to Aiken,” said Doug Payne in a press release from the Aiken Horse Park Foundation. Payne is an upper level eventing rider and a member of the organizing committee. “The shortened format and the great atmosphere will make it a fabulous opportunity for spectators and riders alike. The unique layout allows people to get up close to all the action and to appreciate

12

the shear athleticism and speed of the horses.

Certainly this will be a can’t miss date on everyone’s calendar.”

Grand Prix Eventing will certainly be an interesting addition to Aiken. Eventing is a big sport here, but it is not necessarily always easy for spectators to find or to understand. This is particularly true of cross country, which is the heart of sport and the most thrilling phase to watch. Eventing aficionados who are young or sprightly might think nothing of hiking all over the countryside to watch horses tackle the various obstacles. Those who are less knowledgeable about the sport or less mobile, often find it difficult to know where to go, how to get there, and where it is safe, or unsafe, to stand. In addition, in Aiken, the major eventing venues are all about a 20-minute drive from downtown.

Cross country at the Aiken Horse Park, right downtown in the historic horse district, promises to be an easier proposition all around.

Organizers hope that it will become an annual happening. The eventing calendar in Aiken is already packed with horse trials, and the dates for Grand Prix eventing do coincide with the USEA/USEF Horse Trials at Sporting Days Farm, the oldest horse trials in Aiken. However, the new event runs on Friday and Saturday, while Sporting Days is Saturday and Sunday. In addition, the Grand Prix will be exclusively Advanced level, which is not offered at Sporting Days, so conflict between the two is expected to be minimal.

For downtown Aiken, Grand Prix Eventing could become the first of a series of spectator friendly equestrian showcases held each Saturday in the spring. We have had the Aiken Triple Crown for decades: the Aiken Trials, the Aiken Steeplechase and Pacers and Polo, which run on three consecutive Saturdays starting the second week in March. Harness racing at McGhees Mile, which was originally held as the third leg of the Triple Crown, disappeared from the calendar for several years, but is back now.

Last year, the harness races took place the weekend before the Trials. If they keep that date, this year we will have not three, but six consecutive Saturdays of spectator

The Aiken Horse

friendly equestrian sports in downtown Aiken: March 2, Grand Prix Eventing; March 9, Harness Racing; March 16, Aiken Trials; March 23, Aiken Steeplechase; March 30; Pacers and Polo; April 6, Aiken Horse Show in the Woods. It looks like it will be a fantastic spring!

For more information on the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase, visit www.aikenhorsepark. org.

Campbell in Hall of Fame

Cot Campbell, an Aiken resident who pioneered the syndication of racehorses was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York on August 3.

Campbell, who is 90 years old, was named one of the Pillars of the Turf, a category that was created to “honor individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest national level.” Campbell was one of 12 inductees, which also included Penny Chenery, the late owner of Secretariat, and William Collins Whitney, the 19th century politician for whom Aiken’s Whitney Field is named. The Pillars of the Turf category was established in 2013.

There was a large crowd at the induction ceremony, including many well known racehorse trainers who were in Saratoga for the race meet, as well as a number of Aiken residents who made the trip North specifically to see Campbell honored. The ceremony included presentations and a short film about each inductee that amounted to a documentary history of racing in the United States. There was also a plaque for each inductee, and Campbell was presented with a special “Pillars of the Turf ” jacket when he went to the podium for his acceptance speech. (Those who are sorry they missed the ceremony can watch a replay on the National Museum of Racing website. Cot Campbell’s segment begins at the 2:21 mark.)

“I would like to point out that as of yesterday there were 12 Pillars of the Turf,” he said at the outset of his speech. “Today there are 12 more Pillars of the Turf, 24 in all. The only one that is alive, is me. Now you may not be very interested in that but I am. . .

“Years ago I bought a thousand dollar filly with two pals, and thus I stumbled into the idea of group ownership of a racehorse,” he continued. “It made sense; it caught on.

Twelve hundred people have come into racing through Dogwood and I believe half of people racing horses in America are racing in some Continued on Page 28

August-September 2018

Cissie Sullivan Tracey Turner Nan Campbell Betty Alexander

803-998-0198 SullivanTurnerTeam.com

White hall estates | Walking distance to historic district! delightful home W/private back yard, patio, pool & pool surround great for gathering With friends & family!

4 br | 4 baths | 3561 sf | mls 101656 | neW price $515,000

crossWays - historic estate on 4.7 acres

magnificently restored home, pool & gardens | close to horse district & hitchcock Woods | 5 bedrooms | 4 full & 2 half baths garage W/apartment | caretaker’s cottage | mls 86999 | $1,750,000

foxchase – on the Woods! neW Well!

3512 sf single story home With spacious oWners & guest suite!

4 br | 3 baths | + 428 sf heated/cooled art studio W/full bath 2 fp | sunroom | 2-car garage | mls 101497 | $375,000

319 york st se - book mark cottage

51+ acre horse farm at Whittle pond

turnkey, ideal for oWner/trainer, gorgeous home, 8-stall stable, carriage barn, arena, 10 fenced pastures Well kept mobile home | mls 102332 | $765,000

276+ acre edgefield farm

trout Walk farm | superb 90 acre eQuestrian property log home With serene pond & Woodland vieWs. Well-designed 8 stall stable, hay fields, driving hazards, trails & access to acolt land, dressage field & ride out. beautiful & functional!

3 br | 2 baths | 1 half bath | mls 10349 |$1,950,000

rond point historic estate

3 custom homes & 10 stall stable, superbly designed for Quality of life, agricultural, eQuestrian & livestock premium tifton hay in production | mls 102436 | $4,795,000

this Willis irvin designed residence offers grace, beauty & privacy W/established gardens, expansive laWn, terraces, stunning pool.

5 br | 6 full & 1 half bath | 6,640 sf | 2.02 acres | apt | $1,395,000

1212 huntcliff | south aiken!

11.6 acres of country living close to toWn!

11+ acres, 3 stall barn W/2 br apt. & 4-7 stall barn. as is.

6 bedroom | 5 bath | 1 half bath | mls 101363 | $549,000

461 implement - hopeland farms

southern living plan With rocking chair front porch!

4 bedrooms | 3 baths | mls 099749 | neW price $399,900

148 Wire road – close-in aiken location!

Wonderfully restored & immaculately maintained historic district cottage. fabulous front porch, charming formal front garden & super location. Walking distance to toWn, Willcox, Woods & library.

11 private ac. W/access to riding trails. renovated & southern charm!

3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 11 acres | mls 100259 | $499,900

run-in & 3 lovely paddocks, in-ground pool & gardens, beautifully renovated home 4 bedroom | 4.5 baths | 9.97 acres | mls 100647 | $785,000

oakley cottage – 207 colleton ave sW

historic Jasmine cottage – exceptional doWntoWn home

oak knoll – historic home & lovely fenced grounds

3 br | 3 baths | 1 half bath | $595,000

historic & versatile With hitchcock ceilings, period details, gardens, Walking distance to Willcox, doWntoWn & the Woods!

6 br | 5 baths | 1 half bath | 4474 sf | mls 101785 | $625,000

August-September 2018

beautifully and fully renovated home, stunning private gardens W/ gunite pool & fountain, Walking distance to Wilcox & more!

3 br | 3 baths | 1 half bath | mls 95531 | $1,198,000

Walking distance to historic horse district, doWntoWn & Woods. classic 1927 Willis irvin designed home, patio & gardens.

4 br | 3 baths | 2 half baths | 3804 sf | mls 102602 | $935,000

The Aiken Horse

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HOMES . HORSES 803.645.3308 803.507.1142 803.221.6831 803.270.6358 803.270.6623 803.341.8787 HISTORY . HOSPITALITY

Courtney Conger Randy Wolcott Alex Tyrteos

Lee Hedlund

Mike Hosang

Frank Starcher

Jack Roth

Suzan McHugh Thomas Bossard Brian Cavanaugh Jane Page Thompson Donnita Harmon

203.249.3071 803.292.8525 803.640.2845 803.624.6072 803.215.8232 803.508.1936

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.648.8660

www CarolinaHorseProperties com . 803

Willow Hill Farm . Historic 1910 farm recently updated features main residence with original woodwork, eat-in kitchen modernized in 2014, 5 bedrooms each with full bath. For guests or grooms, there is a brick 2-story home with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

For horses, there are 2 original barns with a total of 18 stalls and hay storage areas; and 8 fenced grassy paddocks, each with run-in shed. Rolling pastures and riding arena complete the 22.81 acre farm. Call Courtney Conger or Jane Page Thompson $1,050,000

The Polo Club . Location, Location, Location! "Polo Club" is an

early century charmer, which was originally built as a clubhouse for Whitney Polo Field. Directly across from Aiken's Training Track in Historic Horse District, the property has easy access to downtown Aiken and south side shopping. Enjoy the wraparound porch with picturesque views. Keep cozy in front of the 5 fireplaces. Beautiful hardwood floors and original details enhance this historic property that also boasts ample paddock space. Call Mike Hosang or Brian Cavanaugh $1,075,000

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Polo Vista Stables at New Bridge This beautifully constructed center aisle barn is in like new condition and offers 18 large, matted stalls on 22.47 acres overlooking polo field. Included are wash stall, spacious tack room/lounge combo, 2 bunk rooms, laundry room and full bath.

There is also an 1800 square foot, insulated equipment shed and 13 four-board fenced paddocks and pastures. Amenities include riding trails, clubhouse and pool. May be purchased in conjunction with charming 4-bedroom residence across the polo field (see below). Call Courtney Conger $750,000

CEDAR

Meadows

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Three Runs Plantation Delightfully decorated residence in Three Runs Plantation equestrian community offers over 3000 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, great room, formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast bay & island and screened porch overlooking established pastures and center-aisle barn on nearly 6 acres. Community amenities include riding rings, clubhouse, pool & cabana, fitness center, picnic shelter and miles of groomed trails. Call Courtney Conger $659,000

Equestrian lot available, with 6.14 acres of established coastal Bermuda grass and beautiful panoramic views.

Equestrian amenities include community riding ring and trails.

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Wadmalaw Island Equestrian This Charleston equestrian property offers proximity, privacy and possibilities!

Renovated main residence has 5 bedrooms (2 master suites!), 3.5 baths, huge walk-in closets with built-ins, home office and gym. Property includes nearly 17 acres, with 15 acres of fenced pasture and riding arena. Large 8stall barn with kitchen, bath, laundry, wash area and detached tack room.

The 4-stall barn has hay loft & storage. Call Jack Roth $1,150,000

Call Courtney Conger ~ offered at just

$105,000

Polo Vista Cottage . Comfort and crafts-

manship are the hallmarks of this delightful cottage with 2929 square feet. Features include open floor plan with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, cathedral ceilings, stone fireplace, wood floors and window walls overlooking one of New Bridge Polo’s beautifully maintained polo fields. Call Courtney Conger $499,000

PLEASANT OAKS

Acreage

C’est La Vie Farm . Located on over 60 acres of

fenced fields & woods, this fully developed horse farm includes brick 3 bedroom home, 2-car garage, center aisle barn, dressage arena, 6 large paddocks, 2 run-in sheds, round pen and dog run. The custom barn has 8-10 stalls with rubber pavers, tack room/lounge with Mexican tile floors, half bath, feed room, wash stall, fly spray system, and large unfinished apartment with enclosed stairs to loft. Call Courtney Conger or Randy Wolcott $550,000

Woolworth House . Historic Winter Colony cottage with stables in downtown Olde Aiken just steps from Hitchcock Woods! Delightful 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home, updated in recent years, features high ceilings, wood floors, fireplace, and wall of windows overlooking patio & paddocks. For horses, there is a 3stall shed row barn. Call Courtney Conger $790,000

Build the home of your dreams on this 27-acre hidden oasis. Located just minutes from Aiken, this secluded property is perfect for equestrians or anyone who enjoys the outdoors!

$132,000

Call MIKE HOSANG or BRIAN CAVANAUGH

Magnolia Blossom Ranch .

Beautiful equestrian estate at Three Runs Plantation on two lots, over 13 acres of established grass with majestic views! The quality built huntbox has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, custom kitchen in 1638 square feet of living space, and includes 5 stalls with automatic waterers, wash stall, tack/grooming stall and storage. There are 3 large paddocks, irrigation, security system, and stone entry with custom gate.Call Jack Roth or Frank Starcher $735,000

NEW BRIDGE

Polo Club

Three Runs Plantation . Encompassing over 5

acres with 3 stall barn, this home is over 3,240 square feet including the master suite on the main floor. There are a total of 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, family room, gourmet chef’s kitchen and den/office. Natural gas and hi-speed fiber optic internet available, access to nearby schooling areas, mirrored dressage ring, jump ring and fitness center. Call Frank Starcher or Jack Roth $699,000

Exquisite 11.35 acre building site in a prime location at New Bridge Polo Club. Direct access to polo fields, clubhouse, tennis and swimming pool. Complete with plenty of fencing and 3HP well!

$217,000 Call JACK ROTH

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EQUESTRIAN

Meadow

Gardens

Call COURTNEY CONGER

Bridle Creek! Lots range from 5 acres to 11.77 acres.

Community amenities include miles of trails, gallop, stadium jumps, cross-country jump field, and dressage ring. New community green space added at the entrance of Phase II. Call Frank Starcher or Jack Roth $18,000 per acre

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Kings Ridge Private gated equestrian estate with sweeping views of 5 verdant acres, lakes and gleaming pool artfully situated to capture vibrant sunsets. Multiple outdoor living spaces, elegant kitchen and cozy den overlooking the lake. With 5100 square feet under roof, the exterior living spaces have been designed with as much attention to detail as the interior living spaces. Studio apartment above garage with workshop, fenced yard for pets. Call Jane Page Thompson $836,000

SOLSTICE

TIMSHEL Level, partially cleared lots in developing equestrian area with easy access to Aiken, Edgefield and I-20. Riding rings and trails are underway, and homeowners with interests in eventing, hunter jumpers, driving and trail riding are in residence. Best of all, lots from 12.25 to over 14 acres are available for only $4,500 per acre!

Bridle Creek . New Phase II now open at

Three Runs Plantation .

Turn key horse farm in Aiken’s premier equestrian community has 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with custom details, mud room/laundry and 2-bay garage. Barn has 2 stalls with room for more, tack room and feed storage. Includes separate equipment building, fenced paddocks with established grass.

Call Frank Starcher or Jack Roth $539,000

Two partly cleared tracts ready for you to have horses at home! Direct access to trail system with miles of dedicated trails, including the 61 acre Freeman preserve, which has a wonderful pond. Ask about owner financing! These 5-acre parcels offered at just

$85,000 PER PARCEL Call RANDY WOLCOTT

The Aiken Horse

Corridor

Oak Tree Farm . Country contempo-

rary with 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths is nestled among live oaks on over 48 acres of board fenced pastures. Sunlit great room and master bedroom feature cathedral ceilings and window walls with sweeping views of coastal fields. Inground pool with new liner. Center aisle barn has 3 stalls with room for more, tack/feed room, run-in and storage space. Call Courtney Conger $699,000

In the heart of Aiken’s east side Highway 302 horse country is this beautiful parcel with 34 acres of gently rolling pasture planted in well established grass, complete with fencing and gate. Adjoins Shellhouse Lake Farm (see right)

Call MIKE HOSANG

ONLY $340,000

August-September 2018

aikenhorseRIGHT8-18_aikenhorseRIGHT 8/5/2018 7:09 PM Page 1

Calvary Training Center . Picture-perfect property with a host of potential uses in Bluffton, SC includes 43+ acres, beautiful lake, Low Country home with 7 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, education center with offices and classrooms, and extensive infrastructure that could handle a 100-unit development. The world class equestrian facility includes 25 stalls, tack rooms, grooms’ lounge and baths, wash stalls, storage and 42,000 square foot covered arena. Call Mike Hosang or Brian Cavanaugh $4,900,000

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Steeplechase Cottage Beautiful 3-acre parcel in Aiken's Horse District has magnificent views of the steeplechase track and horse show grounds. The 3458 square foot main residence has open floor plan that includes 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. Kitchen boasts top of the line appliances, and gracious screened porch overlooks salt water pool. Charming guest house has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Call Thomas Bossard $1,599,000

The Wilrose . Stunning private country estate on 30 lovely acres

with beautiful live oaks! Custom home features 5 bedrooms & 4 baths, wellappointed kitchen with granite counters, high ceilings and wood flooring throughout. Attached 4 car garage plus finished basement space. Property has 2 large enclosed metal buildings with 6420 & 4860 sq ft, with separate electrical service, plumbing & septic. Call Mike Hosang or Brian Cavanaugh $1,300,000

PALMETTO

Farms

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Three Runs Plantation Located on over 8 acres in Aiken’s premier equestrian community, this stately 10-stall barn awaits completion to make it a show place. Features include hand-crafted cupolas, gabled entrance, pine paneled breezeway, large tack room, office/apartment with 2 rooms and full bath. The entry area opens to a t-shape with 5 stalls on either side, plus wash stall and feed room. Large loft accessed by outside stairs can be finished as living space. Call Courtney Conger $390,000

Private, wooded building lot with frontage on paved roadway. Mostly level with a gentle slope towards the back of this beautiful 5.32 acre lot.

Old Buckland Barn . Equestrian training

facility in Aiken’s historic downtown Horse District has spacious 2,787 square foot main residence, combining 2 original cottages with central great room. Cottage is delightfully renovated with wood floors, granite countertops and all appliances. There are 2 converted race barns with 15 expanded stalls total, board fenced paddocks, grooms’ apartment, dressage arena with mirror. Call Courtney Conger $1, 425,000

RANDY WOLCOTT JUST

$50,000

Meadows Ridge Farm . World class equestrian com-

pound has magnificent 4 bedroom, 4 bath home, brand new 6-stall center aisle barn, regulation-size steel covered arena with CGT footing. Custom home features extensive millwork, wood and tile floors, spacious living areas overlooking koi pond and landscaped gardens. Trellis breezeway connects detached garage with 2nd floor studio apartment for groom or guest. New barn has wash stall, tack & feed rooms, and Nelson waterers. Call Alex Tyrteos $1, 130,000

GOODSPRINGS

Plantation

Three Runs Plantation . Pristine, low-main-

tenance home boasts high ceilings, hardwood floors, wainscoting & crown molding. Fabulous kitchen features island, farmhouse sink, granite counters, pantry and stainless steel appliances. Spacious owners’ suite has roomsized bath & TWO walk-in closets. Separate den/office, laundry/mudroom, bonus room with full bath above 3-bay garage, screened porch, security & irrigation systems. Call Jack Roth or Frank Starcher $579,000

Three Runs Plantation . Beautiful

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Nearby Farm . Comfortable

home with 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths near Stable View Farm and other equestrian venues. The 24 acre farm includes pasture and paddocks, and new multi-purpose building for workshop, garage, barn or storage. Call Mike Hosang or Brian Cavanaugh $240,000

Sportsman's retreat located in Aiken’s east side equestrian corridor less than 10 miles from downtown! Drive through the gated entrance and past grassy fenced pasture to the sparkling 11 acre lake. Parcel Two offers approximately 43 acres mostly cleared and grassed with Shaw's Creek at the back border. The brick 2 bedroom, 1 bath country cabin has spacious kitchen/family room, fireplace and full length porch, with wonderful views overlooking lake. Call Mike Hosang $595,000

LOT 22 $57,000 4.68 acres Call MIKE HOSANG or BRIAN CAVANAUGH

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Wexford Mill Southern Living at its finest! This 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath home sits on over an acre with amazing views of the lake from the rocking chair front porch.

Plenty of room for entertaining with bright & spacious living room and family room, crown molding, smooth ceilings and calming colors. Lots of storage in walk-out attic and the finished garage with workshop. Call Donnita Harmon $309,500

Thirty Oaks Farm . Charming

2 bedroom, 2 bath cottage with fireplace surrounded by horse country 12.38 acres. Equestrian amenities include 6-stall barn with feed/tack room, separate workshop, hay storage building, 10 turnouts, lay-up field, and 5 run-ins in perimeter fenced established pasture. Call Mike Hosang or Brian Cavanaugh $595,000

NEW BRIDGE

CHIME BELL

Large lot (8.71 acres) complete with fencing, well & septic across from endline of Field 2. World class polo community with polo fields, clubhouse, tennis & swimming pool.

Beautiful 16.31 acre lot, already cleared, in a wonderful equestrian community that offers top notch amenities, including a dressage ring, hunter/jumper ring, and cross-country course.

BLUFFWOOD

Polo Club

East

Call RANDY WOLCOTT JUST $3,200 per acre!

Shellhouse Lake Farm .

LOT 13 $41,000 3.41 acres

new Donnie Shaffer Construction home on a great lot in Phase 7A in Three Runs Plantation! Comfortable floor plan with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths on main floor, upstairs bedroom/bonus room with full bath. Property has 5.12 acres, two car garage. Entire house is either reclaimed pine wood floors, ceramic tile or carpet in bedrooms. Call Frank Starcher or Jack Roth $569,000

Black Sheep Farm Dine al fresco in the breezeway of this classic European courtyard farmhouse, overlooking koi pond and heated pool. Perfect for the Aiken lifestyle, this beautiful property melds outdoor & indoor living with 3 en suite bedrooms, 2 wood-burning stoves, huge kitchen & greatroom with hardwood floors. Adjoining office, family room, laundry, workshop, 4 stalls, tack & feed room with paddocks beyond. Over 8 acres with 3-bay garage. Call Mike Hosang or Brian Cavanaugh $689,000

Large trees abound on these TWO adjoining level lots approximately 16 acres each, with plenty of road frontage and beautiful home sites. Many horse farms and large estates surround this east side horse country community.

Build the home of your dreams! Two lots available in small, private, gated equestrian community that's close to Stable View with easy access to the interstate, downtown Aiken and Augusta

Three Runs Plantation .

Beautiful Phase 1 lot offered with NEW hunt box combo to be constructed by Farmfield Builders. Includes 700 square foot apartment, 3 stalls, tack room, feed room and wash stall. Close to community amenities including clubhouse, riding arenas, pool, and direct access to the 30-mile riding trail system! Call Alex Tyrteos $320,000

Courtney Conger Randy Wolcott

Chase

Bass Pond Farm . This 38.49 acre farm located in Aiken’s Equestrian Corridor offers it all! The 3 bedroom, 2 bath residence overlooks 3-acre spring-fed pond. Property includes guest house, groom's cottage, 20-stall barn with tack & feed rooms, apartment, Grand prix or stick-and-ball field, exercise track, fenced sand arena and fenced paddocks. Call Alex Tyrteos $635,000

$99,900

Call MIKE HOSANG Lee Hedlund

Mike Hosang

Frank Starcher

Call MIKE HOSANG

$158,200

Jack Roth

803.645.3308 803.507.1142 803.221.6831 803.270.6358 803.270.6623 803.341.8787 Alex Tyrteos

Suzan McHugh Thomas Bossard Brian Cavanaugh Jane Page Thompson Donnita Harmon

203.249.3071 803.292.8525 803.640.2845 803.624.6072 803.215.8232 803.508.1936

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.648.8660

www CarolinaHorseProperties com . 803

August-September 2018

The Aiken Horse

15

RACE & COMPETE PERFORMANCE

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Barn Tour to Benefit Great Oak A peek at six unique barns, supporting therapeutic riding

By Nancy Johnson

F

ollowing the overwhelming success of their inaugural event expectations and really helped Great Oak get our programs up and in 2017, organizers have been hard at working planning the running at the new facility. My hope is that the community continues to 2018 Charity Barn Tour. The tour will take place within Three Runs support the barn tour and it becomes one of Aiken’s annual events that Plantation, an equestrian community not far from downtown Aiken. people look forward to year after year.”

Slated for Saturday, October 20, with a rain date of Sunday, October Barn tour attendees will want to arrive on time to the Three Runs 21, the event will once again benefit Great Oak Therapeutic Riding.

Clubhouse where they may pick up their wristbands at 1 pm. They will Last year’s tour resulted in a donation to Great Oak in excess of $12,000.

Like last year, six unique barns within the popular equestrian community will be on the tour, but all are different from the ones featured in 2017.

“We found that people spent longer at the barns than we expected, asking questions about various features or the horses, so we decided to add an hour this year,” explains Debbie Bartlett, who, along with Barbara Buchholtz and Jan Gifford, is an organizer of the tour. (All three are Three Runs residents.) “We want to be sure everyone has enough time to really see all the barns and still get back to the clubhouse to enjoy refreshments and the silent auction.”

Debbie says their goal is to select a wide variety of barns for the tour. “A lot of the attendees come to get ideas for barns they are building or updating.” The barns featured are of all sizes and designs, so there is something for Blue Poppy Farm: the theme is Nature and Nurture everyone.

For Debbie, one of the especially enjoyable parts of planning the event not want to miss a therapeutic riding demonstration by some of the is deciding on the theme for each of the barns. Blue Poppy Farm, owned students from Great Oak, which will be held in the main dressage arena

by Matt and Paulina Gould, for example, will focus on “Nature and there at 1:15. After completing the barn tour, attendees will gather Nurture.” Matt and Paulina’s small barn resembles a picturesque cottage again at the clubhouse to enjoy refreshments and have the opportunity and houses rescued horses; that’s the nurture. Paulina notes that they to finalize bids on a wide array of silent auction items. In addition, a specifically rescue Paso Finos. raffle, at just $10 a ticket, will be offered with the grand prize being a “We’ve got a network of Paso people who work together,” she says. two-night stay in a king superior guest room at Greystone Inn on the “Some do the shipping, quarantine and medical care. Our goal here is spectacular Lake Toxaway in North Carolina. to rehabilitate and re-train the horses as we have such a great trainer in With their new facility, a 20-acre farm just north of downtown Aiken Nestor [Gonzalez] on-site.” They have already had one Paso adopted on Edgefield Highway, Great Oak has already made great strides in and Nestor is currently training three other rescues. As for the nature, helping children and adults with physical, emotional, and psychological the barn’s setting is a spectacular meadow of native plantings created by challenges through various equine-assisted programs. There are a wide Jenks Farmer, a renowned plantsman and garden designer. Each season variety of volunteer opportunities at Great Oak including assisting with brings a different beauty, depending upon which wild flowers, lilies, lessons, barn management, office duties, and fundraising. grasses, and other perennials are blooming.

Advance tickets for the barn tour can be purchased on the Great Stephanie Sheridan, who was recently installed as the executive Oak website, www.greatoakatrc.org for $20, or at the door for $25. director of Great Oak, is eagerly anticipating the barn tour. “How Information on corporate and individual sponsorships as well as silent fortunate we are that these remarkable ladies, along with their auction donations is also available on the website. There is ample free supportive husbands, have chosen Great Oak for this creative parking and families are welcome. fundraiser,” she says. “Last year the event was way beyond their

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August-September 2018

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Ask the Judge

Questions about Dressage With Amy McElroy

Amy McElroy is an FEI competitor, and a USEF S judge. She is qualified to officiate at any USEF recognized national show at all dressage levels. She rides, trains and teaches at Fair Lane Farm in Aiken and judges between 15 and 20 dressage and eventing shows each year. In her popular Ask the Judge column, she answers readers’ questions about dressage. Do you have a question for Amy? Send her an email at McElroyDRM@aol.com, or visit her website: www.amymcelroy.com.

Dear Amy

I have just purchased an FEI dressage schoolmaster and I am hoping to be able to show at the Prix St. Georges level locally very soon.

I want to know, if my horse was born in the United States does he need a passport to show at this level? Also, people keep asking me if I am going to do the “Small Tour,” and I don’t know how to answer them.

What is the Small Tour?

Upper Level Newbie Dear Newbie,

will be the same test as the Prix St. Georges level in Germany. According to the FEI rulebook, the official dressage tests are published on the authority of the FEI, and in no case can they be modified or simplified without the approval of the FEI. Interestingly, there are other FEI tests beside the upper level tests. To name a few: the FEI Young Rider, Junior, Children’s, Pony, and Young Horse tests, which are all standardized internationally.

Let’s address your question about the Small Tour. There are four FEI tours: the Small Tour, the Medium Tour, the Big Tour and the Under 25 Tour. The tours are groupings of tests that can be ridden at the same show: remember you can compete at two different levels, but they must be consecutive. The Small Tour comprises the Prix St. Georges, the Intermediaire I and the Intermediaire I Freestyle. The Medium Tour includes Intermediaire A, Intermediaire B and Intermediaire II. The Big Tour is made up of the Intermediaire II, the Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Freestyle and the Grand Prix Special. The Under 25 is exclusively for riders aged 16 to 25 years old. This tour includes combinations of the Intermediaires A, B and II, the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle.

So if someone asks you if you are planning to show the Small Tour, you can say that you are just getting started with the Prix St. Georges. If your goal is to progress to Intermediaire I, you can say you are working towards the Small Tour.

Here is a comparison of the lower levels and FEI levels at national and international shows.

Congratulations on the purchase of your new ride. You are lucky to have a schoolmaster to bring you up the FEI levels (Prix St. Georges through the Grand Prix.) For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a schoolmaster is a horse that is already trained and confirmed at the level at which you are riding. Because the horse is well-versed in the movements, you can concentrate on your own development. You are not both learning at the same time: in fact the horse can teach you and help to show you the way.

Although you will be showing at the Prix St. Georges level, which is an FEI (international) level, if you are showing locally, you will still be showing on the national level, because we don’t currently have an international dressage show here in Aiken. Because of this, you will not need a passport, whether your horse was born in the U.S. or in another country.

USDF National Level (4th and Below) FEI Tests at National Show FEI Tests at International Show If you show in the United States (or any • Can have a reader or perform by memory • Ride by memory: Callers prohibited • Ride by memory: Callers prohibited other country) at an • May carry a whip • May carry a whip • Whips are prohibited international show, • May use a snaffle bridle: Double bridles optional • Snaffle or double bridle allowed • Double bridle required a horse passport is Third Level and above mandatory, whether • Spurs are optional • Spurs are mandatory • Spurs are mandatory your horse was born in • Must wear a safety helmet • Must wear a safety helmet • Safety helmets optional: top hat allowed (Milithe country in which tary riders in uniform may wear military cap.) you are showing or • Any English saddle with stirrups allowed Third • Must be dressage saddle with stirrups • Must be dressage saddle with stirrups somewhere else. level and below: dressage saddle required for There are differences Fourth Level between national • You don’t need to turn in a copy of your Free• You don’t need to turn in a copy of your Free• You must submit your Freestyle test before you and FEI tests. In style test before you perform. style test before you perform. perform America, the USDF • No horse passport required • Horse passport required for all horses. has dressage tests from • No horse passport required Intro through the • You may have your trainer warm up your horse • You may have your trainer warm up your horse • No one may ride your horse but you while on the for you. for you. show grounds. (Exception: your groom may ride Fourth Level. These at the walk on the buckle.) national tests are for our country only: • Only one judge is required (“r” at Second Level • May have one or more judges. “S” or above • A panel of three to seven judges depending on and below; “R” at Fourth level and below.

All required. the rating of the show. All must be FEI judges.

Other countries have higher ratings permissible.) their own versions of these lower level • First error: -2 point off your rough scores; Sec• First error: -2 percentage points off your final • First error: -2 percentage points off your final ond error:-4 points, Third error: elimination score; Second error: Elimination! score; Second error: Elimination! tests. For example, in Germany, our Third (Regional and national championships have different rules and these Level tests are equivalent to an M (Mittel or “medium”) level test, but comparisons might not apply.) the tests themselves are not the same even if they have many of the same Good luck to you riding at Prix St. Georges. I hope you will work elements. However, all countries use the exact same FEI tests and the your way through the Small Tour and perhaps to an FEI sanctioned exact same scoring system. show in the future, maybe even here in Aiken!

So, if you compete at the Prix St. Georges level in the United States it

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News & Notes from Page 12 sort of partnership.”

Campbell’s speech was brief, witty and gracious, thanking the racing industry, his wife Anne Campbell, and most of all the horses that make racing possible.

“All my life I have been besotted with racehorses,” he said near the end. “I am probably the only person in this building who ever saw Man O’ War. I thank Man O’ War because he caused me to pursue an absolutely wonderful life.”

TB Makeover Contest

The Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover competition is back for its fourth year in its current format.

(It was actually started in 2014, but that year only a few select trainers were invited to enter, whereas now, entries are open to all applicants.) The project is a national training competition for former racehorses in 10 different disciplines. Designed as a showcase for off-the-track Thoroughbreds, the competition is “intended to inspire good trainers to become involved in transitioning these horses to second careers,” according to the website.

In order to be eligible this year, horses must have raced or had a published work on or after July 1, 2016, and may not have been started in their second careers before December 1, 2017, beyond a maximum of 15

rides. Trainer applications opened on January 1 and closed on January 15, 2018 – there were a record 812 applicants this year. Horses had to be nominated by August 1, 2018.

The final competition will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park October 4-7, giving trainers a maximum of eight months to work with their horses. Winners will be chosen in the 10 disciplines, and the top horses will be invited to compete for the title of America’s Most Wanted OTTB. Aiken-based riders and trainers have been competing in the RRP Makeover since its inception. The very first winner was Phillip Dutton, riding the former top racehorse Icabad Crane in eventing. Aiken has also sent several horses to compete in foxhunting, dressage and polo. Last year’s winner also has an Aiken connection: Charlie Caldwell from Tennessee, who won with a polo pony, will be an Aiken resident in the fall when he and his twin brother Harry matriculate at USC Aiken. (Both brothers are competing again this year, Charlie with Dynaposse and Harry with Hookedatfirstsite, both 2014 bay mares that will play polo.)

Several Aiken-based trainers who have competed before are giving it another shot this year. These include Amanda Blake with Gunlock and Jordan Pruiksma with Rolling the Dice. Two new local contestants are

the junior competitor Jessica Bongers with Tarheeel Raven, and the amateur competitor Wendy Collins Gutfarb with Electrified.

Wendy, a newly minted Master of the Aiken Hounds, did not have to go far to acquire Electrified. In fact, she already owned her. Wendy and her husband have been participating in Mosaic Racing Stable which has horses in training at the Aiken Training Track Electrified was one of the horses in which she and her husband owned a share.

Electrified is a 2012, 17-hand bay mare with very respectable earnings of $70,087.

She last raced in September 2017 at Belmont Park. Wendy says she needed some time off after that, and so she was turned out with another former Mosaic racehorse. Then, around the end of June, Wendy thought she looked ready to restart.

“I didn’t want to hop on her for the first time myself,” says Wendy. “I have had many injuries and I am too old for that.”

Fortunately, Jose Alejos, a trainer who is renowned for starting horses, happened to be giving a clinic in Aiken. Wendy took her to him to see what he could do with her. It turns out any apprehension she might have had was unfounded. “She was so simple and easy for him, it was a delight.”

Wendy brought Electrified home and started riding her this summer. She plans

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to enter her in the foxhunter division and in showjumpers, and looks forward to making her into a hunt horse – as a joint Master of Foxhounds, she knows she will need an extra mount or two.

“I have had her hound schooling already and I’ve been hacking her out. I’ve just started jumping her in the [Hitchcock] Woods,” says Wendy, who is very happy with her horse.

“She’s just a beautiful, easy horse and a simple ride. You would never have thought she would be like that if you had known her on the track – there, she was mean! Now, I would put my grandmother on her.”

Wendy is looking forward to the competition in Kentucky, where she will be eligible for some special awards, such as one for New York bred horses, as well as the Roses of Sharon Memorial Award for “horses that have begun and ended their racing careers with the same owner, trainer or both on record.”

For more information on the RRP, visit www.tbmakeover.org.

Buyers Market in Aiken

According to Suzy Haslup, a realtor with Meybohm and an accredited land consultant, it’s a buyers’ market in Aiken. Not only are prices still relatively flat, there are a number of exceptional high end properties on the market including several spectacular horse farms with every possible amenity in completely turnkey condition.

One example of this is Bridlewood, a 25-acre professional hunter-jumper stable that recently came on the market. Bridlewood was created as a family business by Gary Weiner and his daughter Jenna in 2010. Jenna, 20 at the time and still in college, was a hunter/jumper rider, while Gary is the CEO of medical software companies. Gary, who is based in Florida, says he has never been a horse person, but he has been around horses since Jenna was young.

“We had driven around since Jenna was 5 or 6 years old going to horse shows,” he says.

“We would always talk about having a facility that is client-centric and has all the things that client would like. We found Bridlewood and fell in love with it. My wife, who is a physician, loved the land. When she first saw it, she stood and looked over the hills behind the house and said, ‘I love the view.’ She has never said she wanted anything in 45 years. And she said ‘I want it.’ And one month later we owned it.”

Jenna and Gary did everything they could think of to make the facility the perfect place where they would want to board horses if they were clients. They put in a professional arena with GGT footing. They installed a state-ofthe-art irrigation system with moisture sensors that can be controlled remotely. They put web cameras in all the stalls so that boarders can keep tabs on their horses day or night. They redesigned the stable office and the living quarters.

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“We tried to set new standards for integrity, for cleanliness, for safety,” says Gary. Jenna lived in Aiken to run the business, while her father visited and helped out on a regular basis, but spent most of his time in Florida.

The business thrived and everything was going well.

But life changes. Jenna, who now has an MBA and a Masters degree has some interests beyond the horse world. She is also married now, and her husband’s job will soon require the couple to move to a different area.

The family decided that it was time to sell Bridlewood.

“I really hope that someone buys it,” says Gary. “They don’t have to love our vision, but they have to love the farm. It could be a wonderful personal farm for someone, or for someone who wants to come in with their own training program. I’d really love to see it flourish. I want to see it grow, or see it loved by someone.” (www.aikenhorserealty.com)

Horses Snort

Two decades ago, if you wanted to study animal behavior in a university setting, chances are you would end up studying something like apes, giraffes, seagulls or fish. Ethology, the study of animal behavior in a natural setting, once focused almost exclusively on wild or exotic animals.

Then, after a few breakthrough studies, ethologists came to realize that they did not have to go so far afield looking for subjects.

There was a lot to learn about dogs, and it was pretty convenient to gather data on them.

An international flowering of dog research “discovered” all kinds of things that the scientific community did not know about dogs. Most of the findings (dogs know what it means when we point; dogs really do love us) were things that dog owners have known forever, even if they could not have proved them scientifically.

Now that dog studies abound, some ethologists have turned to other familiar animals, such as cats and horses. Horse behavior studies are getting more and more common, especially in Europe. Some studies have seemed to show things that are a little surprising. About a year ago, we reported on a study in which horses were taught to communicate with experimenters by nosing symbols on a communication board to indicate whether the horse wanted his blanket taken off or put on. This study indicated that most horses do indeed like to wear a blanket when it is cold out, and are willing and able to ask their caretakers to put their blankets on or take them off, depending on whether they are hot or cold. Surprising? Maybe not: horses are smart. But it might have been a revelation for many of us to learn that horses can be taught to communicate with their owners using symbols.

Some other studies of equine behavior

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might seem a little comical. For instance, a team of French researchers just published a study in the prestigious journal Plos One about the meaning of “horse snorts.” The researchers were seeking to discover whether a “snort” might indicate that a horse felt happy or unhappy, or just that he was blowing dust out of his nostrils. To conduct this study, they selected two different populations of horses. One group lived in a pasture at leisure (the “naturalistic group.”) The other lived in small stalls in riding schools where they had some daily turnout in addition to their work as school horses (the “restricted conditions group.)

What exactly is a “snort?” The noises horses make with their noses were separated into three categories: the blow, which is the loud exhalation of air a horse might make to indicate danger; the snore, which is “a very short raspy inhalation sound produced in a low alert context, such investigating a novel object or obstacle;” and the snort, which is “a more or less pulsed sound produced by nostril vibrations while expulsing the air, with a slightly longer duration in comparison to the blow.”

To gather their data, researchers observed individual horses every day for periods of five minutes at different times of the day. Armed with audio and video recording devices, they made note of how many times each horse snorted, where he was, how he looked (How was his posture? Were his ears forward or back? Did he exhibit aggressive behavior?) and what he was doing at the time.

There were 48 horses involved in the study and researchers recorded a total of 560 horse snorts. Some horses snorted a lot more than others. The individual “snort rate” ranged from an average of .75 times per hour to 12.8 times per hour. There was a big difference between the snort rates among riding school horses and horses at pasture. The riding school horses produced an average of “5.66 plus or minus 3.32” snorts per hour, and most of these snorts were produced when the horses were turned out on pasture, rather than when they were in their stalls. By contrast, the pastured horses, produced about twice as many snorts per hour; an average of “12.88 plus or minus 8.33.”

After they correlated each horse’s behavior, posture and other indicators of mood with his snorts, the researchers concluded that snorting might be an “unexpected acoustic indicator of positive emotions in horses,” which is, in fact, the title of the study.

Everyone is not totally on board with this conclusion of course, and some observers of horse behavior are firm in their belief that the horse is just clearing his nose. Nevertheless, it is an interesting idea, even if it seems a little ridiculous to spend so much time standing around counting horse snorts.

August-September 2018

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• Ideal setting for equestrian barn & paddocks • 6327 sq. ft. main house • 4 bdrms, 3.5 baths

• 1972 sq. ft. Guest/pool house • Salt water pool & hot tub • 20 acres • $1,775,000 • MLS#: 100906

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Born from the excitement, intensity and tradition of polo, New Bridge embraces equestrians of all disciplines as well as those who simply love the outdoors. From cottage style bungalows, custom built homes and generously-sized homesites to expansive horse-friendly estates (from four to 40 acres), you’ll find the property that speaks to your lifestyle – and your heart.

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Map ID 18-01 (Lauren Circle; Lot 28, Phase 3; Parcel ID # 169-00-23-005): $174,400 5.45 acres cleared and fenced on the northeast corner of Polo Field #4.

Can be combined with additional adjacent acreage (Lots 18-02 and 03) to its south.

Map ID 18-02 (Lauren Circle; Lot 27, Phase 3; Parcel ID # 169-00-23-007): $160,000 5.0 acres cleared and fenced on the east line of Polo Field #4.

Can be combined with additional adjacent acreage (lot 18-01 to its north and 18-03 to its south).

Map ID 18-03 (Lauren Circle; Lot 26, Phase 3; Parcel ID # 169-00-23-008): $128,000 4.0 acres cleared and fenced on the east line of Polo Field #4.

Can be combined with additional adjacent acreage (lots18-01 and 02) to its north.

Map ID 18-04 (Lauren Circle); Recently sold Map ID 18-05 (Lauren Circle; Lot 19, Phase 3; Parcel ID # 169-00-23-003): $149,500 5.08 acres cleared and fenced on the west line of Polo Field #4.

Can be combined with additional adjacent acreage (lot 18-06) to its south.

Map ID 18-06 (Lauren Circle; Lot 20, Phase 3; Parcel ID # 169-00-23-004): $165,000 5.61 acres cleared and fenced on the west line of Polo Field #4.

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Contact Raza Kazmi, New Bridge Realty at 1-888-4NB-POLO 38

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August-September 2018

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THIS PAGE IS COLOR DO NOT ERASE

Secret Lives of Horses Sun Up Dude

By Ragan Morehouse, photography by Gary Knoll

t 24, Dewey is living the good life at a farm in Aiken. A striking bay and white Paint with one blue eye and a playful personality, he keeps company with another retired horse, enjoying his stall as well as the plentiful grass in his paddock. This is something new for him since he spent most of his long life in Sedona, Arizona where pasture was hard to come by. He is cheerful, bright and friendly, with a physique that defies his age – if it weren’t for the grey hairs dusting the bay parts of his coat, he could be mistaken for a much younger horse.

Like many older horses, however, Dewey has a story to tell and a past that is filled with awards and accolades. Perhaps his greatest achievement is the mark that he made on the many people whose lives he touched. Dewey is a horse that makes people happy.

Properly known as Sun Up Dude, Dewey is a registered American Paint Horse born in Sedona in 1996. His sire, Son Dee Dude, was an American Quarter Horse Association top ranked stallion who was awarded Superior status in both the halter and the western pleasure open division and was listed as an “All-Time” stallion for his offsprings’ earnings in the hunter under saddle and hunter hack divisions. His dam, Top To Bottom, was registered with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA.) Bred for the show ring, Dewey began his training as soon as he left his dam’s side. His breeder, Caroline Lee, showed him as a yearling in APHA longe, halter and showmanship classes and broke him to saddle with the help of a local trainer, Ken Thompson. Under saddle, Dewey expanded his repertoire, adding western pleasure, hunt seat, hunter hack, trail and eventually jumping classes to his resume. While showing, Dewey was also used as a breeding stallion, siring 23 foals before he was gelded as an 8 year old.

“I have known Dewey since he was a baby,” says his current owner, Jennifer Nicolella, who was friends with his breeder and with the other families that owned him in Arizona. “He was the quietest stallion you will ever meet.”

At 5, Dewey moved on to a new owner, Dawn Smith, who also trained with Ken Thompson. Then at 9, he was sold to 10-year-old Megan Simms who showed him in youth divisions for four years. In addition to hunt seat and western pleasure and trail, Dawn also showed him in goat tying, reining and barrel racing, making him eligible for APHA all-around titles. There was nothing that he couldn’t do.

Dewey retired from the show ring in 2008 at age14, after his owner turned her atttention to dog training. During his career, he earned five Registers of Merit (ROMs are awarded when a horse accumulates 10 or more points in one event) and two Superiors (given when a horse accumulates 50 or more points in one event) in the open division, three ROMs in the amateur division, and one ROM in youth hunt seat equitation. He racked up over 1,000 points, one APHA World Grand Championship, and three APHA Reserve World Grand Championship.

In 2008, Jennifer Nicolella had a lesson program in Sedona. One day, Megan’s parents called her up. “They asked me if I wanted Dewey and I didn’t hesitate,” says Jennifer. “I told them I would be right over with my trailer!”

“I had a lot of older adults and beginner children in my program.

Anybody that rode him, he made you feel really, really special. He just takes care of you. The less you know, the more he takes care of you and the more honest he is. He is such an incredible teacher,” explains Jennifer.

When Jennifer stopped teaching lessons five years later, she freeleased Dewey to Horses Help therapeutic riding center in Phoenix, an organization devoted to providing horse and riding therapy to individuals with disabilities. Dewey enjoyed having a job and being

useful, and Jennifer didn’t think he would be happy unless he were busy.

He took to the new job right away and became an instant favorite at the center.

“They absolutely adored him,” says Jennifer. “He was their number one horse. He could handle the fast movements and noises that some of the children would make. It seemed that the more his rider did, the quieter he became because he knew that they needed him to take care of them.”

Because of Dewey’s extensive training, he was also ridden by the staff and volunteers for their Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) certifications. In early 2015, the West Coast PATH supervisor was touring therapeutic riding centers, scouting horses for the Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Los Angeles that summer. “She selected Dewey without any tryout or anything,” explains Jennifer. “She watched him a couple of times and said that she had to have him.

“When the Horses Help center called me to ask if Dewey could go to the Olympics, I said, “He can go if I can go!” Jennifer says with a laugh.

“I ended up going as his groom and drove Dewey and two other horses to L.A.” For two weeks, Dewey and Jennifer were housed at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center where the Special Olympics World Summer Games took place.

“It was an absolutely incredible event for the horses and for us,” reports Jennifer. Dewey was chosen by a Venezuelan and a Moroccan rider. “One of his riders didn’t speak at all but we had no problem communicating,” says Jennifer. “One of the most interesting things about the Olympics was watching all of these international riders and realizing that the language of riding is all the same.” Dewy competed in several events with each of his riders. At the end of the games, his riders had mounted the podium with gold, silver, and bronze medals.

“It was his last big hurrah,” Jennifer admits. “Two weeks was a lot for him. He was 21 then and it was a lot.”

During the time that Dewey spent as a therapy horse, Jennifer was busy making life changes. In 2014, she had visited a friend in Beaufort, South Carolina who suggested that they go to Aiken for the day. After wending their way down South Boundary and the dirt roads, Jennifer was hooked.

“I told my friend to stop in the middle of the road behind the training track and with tears running from my eyes, I told her ‘I am home.’ I went back to Arizona and two weeks later my farm was up for sale.”

In January 2016, Jennifer’s Sedona property was sold, and she headed to Aiken with Dewey and the rest of her menagerie in tow; 21 animals and six people in all. “I was willing to leave Dewey at the Horses Help riding center because he was happy there and they took such good care of him, but he was finally showing some signs of all the miles on his body and he was requiring a lot more maintenance. I just thought that he should come with me and take it easy,” she says.

A few months after his arrival in Aiken, he received one more call to duty.

“One of my clients’ horses passed. Her other horse was left alone and he was very upset and really needed another friend,” Jennifer says. “I offered Dewey. They loved him right away and they have a great farm for him. He likes to be needed and he loves to make people happy. He is now a therapy horse for the husband and wife as well as for the horse that he is babysitting.

“If their other horse passes or if anything happens, he can come home any minute of any day. He always has a place with me,” adds Jennifer.

“He is such an amazing boy. Dewey is a horse that was born to make peoples’ lives special.”

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Alchemy in Aiken

Cary Frommer Makes Gold

By Mike Mullaney , Photography by Gary Knoll

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ary Frommer, a 35-year Aiken resident, racehorse trainer and the current president of the Aiken Training Track, has mastered the art of pinhooking. This is a craft similar to flipping houses or playing the stock market, but instead of real estate or company shares, the commodities in trade are young horses, bought either privately or at auction, and then conditioned and sold in short order for as much as two, three, or four times their purchase price.

Maybe more. It’s a real-world form of alchemy, turning Thoroughbred potential into auction gold.

In March 2016, Frommer became an overnight sensation at

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Gulfstream Park’s Fasig-Tipton sale of 2-year-olds when she sold two juvenile sons of the terrific stallion Uncle Mo for $1 million and $1.3 million. Seven-figure sales always catch the eye, and adding to the storyline of those two horses was the fact that Frommer purchased both as yearlings the previous November for $90,000 and $150,000, respectively.

In other words, in five months’ time she turned a $240,000 investment into a $2.3 million windfall.

The next year, she and her business partner Barry Berkelhammer returned to Gulfstream and sold an Uncle Mo filly, which they had

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August-September 2018

purchased for $250,000, for $1.5 million. As if to prove the team wasn’t just a one-trick pony, they validated their standing in the horsecommodity community with a $1.1 million sale there, a son of More Than Ready which they had purchased the year before for $235,000.

A horse auction is like a candy store for Frommer, and she readily tells listeners that it’s Berkelhammer, an Ocala, Florida-based horseman, who keeps her buying impulses in check. Making bids on horses can be fun, she said; it’s selling them that’s nerve wracking.

“It makes the stock market look tame,” she said.

Pinhooking prospects don’t come cheap, and making sure something as fragile as a Thoroughbred arrives to the sale in good condition, and that the buyers are in an upbeat mood, just adds to the stress.

Cary has been a horsewoman her whole life. She became smitten with horses as a teenager in Middleburg, Virginia, after her father, U.S. Army Colonel Alfred V. Daub, was transferred there from Hawaii, where Cary spent her younger years. She started a riding career aboard show horses.

But then she discovered Thoroughbreds.

“That was it,” she said. “Racehorses changed everything for me, and galloping racehorses paid much better than riding show horses … I could actually make a living with racehorses. I never really thought about being a jockey. I was small enough but never light enough and, besides, I always liked the training aspect better than riding.”

She’s been a licensed trainer since 1978.

Pinhooking involves the training and conditioning of future racehorses, but that’s not all: Experience, instinct and intuition play large roles in each horse’s selection, and it takes a lot of faith in your own judgment and abilities.

“You’re speculating, you’re betting that a horse you buy for a certain amount now will be sold for a larger amount later,” she said.

“I started with $17,000 that my mother gave me and I used it to buy two horses, one of which I later sold for $70,000, the other I sold for $50,000,” she said.

“Every now and then you see young horses that have a flashing red light over their head. They walk differently … everything they do is telling you that they are something special.”

“When I look at a horse, I’ll accept a few flaws because some horses run well with a few flaws. If a horse is a little gawky, maybe it’s just the wrong time of life for him to be at a sale … just because the conformation isn’t perfect doesn’t mean that the horse won’t be able to run.”

That knowledge, she said, comes with hands-on experience.

“I haven’t been a pinhooker all my life,” she said. “I trained some horses, rode some horses and worked with some great people.”

Cary and Berkelhammer have been friends since meeting at a sale at the Calder Race Course nearly 15 years ago. “He’s one of the good guys,” she says. “We have the same ideals. We’ve been through the ups and downs of phases, the ups and downs of fashions. We’re educated.

If the horse has the basics, if the walk is fluid, we know how to pick out the athletes.”

The two have connections throughout the industry that inform them of top prospects coming up to the sales.

“Some people go around and see horses for themselves before the sales but that’s a luxury I can’t afford,” she said.

“We go through and look at all the horses in the smaller sales like Saratoga. When we see one that stands out we mark it, take a second look, maybe sometimes a third look. Then we vet them, look at the X-rays, scope them, and decide from there.”

Despite her recent windfalls, don’t expect Cary to be behind the wheel of a Lamborghini driving along Two Notch Road anytime soon.

“Every penny I make rolls back into the business. I don’t buy fancy homes or fancy cars. Just this last year I bought a house that I really wanted. Not just a house, but one that I really wanted,” she said.

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That common sense can be traced to her late mother and father, the colonel who made sure she targeted a career path after informing him that she was more interested in working with horses than in attending college.

Other influences include sage horsemen and women she met at places like Charles Town racetrack in West Virginia, the ones who kept older, pedigree-challenged, less-talented horses as happy and as fit as possible, running and paying the bills. Her biggest Aiken influence was the Hall of Fame trainer Mack Miller. Equally well known for his gentlemanly manner and his training expertise, Miller was one of Aiken’s leading proponents in the Thoroughbred world. He trained national champions and multiple major stakes horses, including Sea Hero, winner of the 1993 Kentucky Derby.

“He worked for some great farms and owners that bred some great horses, but on those rare occasions when he purchased a horse out of a sale, they often turned out very special.”

And, Frommer would remind you, those great horses often wintered in Aiken, when the city was in its heyday in racing circles.

“This is a money-driven business now,” Frommer said. “Mr. Miller and a few other trainers had owners who allowed them to bring their horses to Aiken where they could be freshened. People don’t rest their horses anymore unless they have to, unless they are injured and being rehabbed, because they don’t make the connection that the rest they receive is actually something that will help them compete later on.”

And so Aiken’s racing prominence has declined, due also to the steady rise of its more easily accessible competitor, Ocala, which straddles I-75, between Lexington, Kentucky and South Florida, not far from I-95 or I-10. A more recent and sudden blow came in 2015 when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, whose Darley operation conditioned about 70 horses at the Aiken Training Track each winter, pulled his substantial stakes and left town.

As president of the track, Frommer readily embraces the reality that her out-of-town trips now are not only scouting expeditions for her personal business but also recruiting missions for the track and the town she embraced long ago.

She knows she has a viable product to sell.

“The training track here is second to none, a beautiful combination of sand and loam that’s very kind to horses,” she said. “We take care of the track; we work very hard to take care of it, but it also takes care of itself.

“I think Aiken is the greatest place in the world to train a horse. There are seasons and a horse can grow out its coat. That’s important.

“And the town itself … I can’t say enough about it. When I first came here I was amazed how friendly everybody was. They would get genuinely excited when the racing people came back each year for the winter; they really embraced the horse industry, and the racehorse industry in particular.

“We’re having a little bit of a rebirth now, but much more needs to be done. Certainly, if pari-mutuel racing were allowed in Georgia, I think that would be a great help. And we’re working on a couple of other angles.

“For instance, we would like to market Aiken as a great place with ideal weather, a place where the cost of living is a little lower, where a young man or woman or couple can start and raise a family and have a nice life. The key is to get people here. If we get people here, they’re going to love it, and they’re going to want to stay. We’re trying to find young people who can take on some clients and fill the barns.”

For her part, she said that she’s a little worn out by full barns, that she has surpassed the goals she set long ago, and that maybe it’s time to find more time to spend with her 3-year-old granddaughter Bryleigh.

“I like buying horses [but] I’ve had too many horses lately, as many as 80,” she said. “My happy number is about 25, so if someone calls, I’m referring them to the other good trainers in town. There are plenty of them.”

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USA Juniors Capture Westchester But England Keeps Historic Trophy

By Pam Gleason

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n April of this year, the United States Polo Association issued a formal challenge to the Hurlingham Polo Association, the governing polo body of Britain, to play for the historic Westchester Cup Trophy. This renewed the modern world’s oldest international polo rivalry. The HPA accepted, and an American team made the trip overseas for a match held on July 28 at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor, England.

The Westchester Cup trophy, created by Tiffany & Co., was established in 1886 after members of the Westchester Polo Club in Newport, Rhode Island challenged English players to come play a series of matches. Polo was young in the United States, having arrived just 10 years earlier, while it had been in England almost three times as long.

Unsurprisingly, the British players dominated. They won the three game series handily and carried the trophy back to England. Sixteen years later, in 1902, an American team sailed across the Atlantic to try to win it back. They failed miserably.

Determined to turn the tide, the 10-goal player and Aiken winter resident Harry Payne Whitney put together the Big Four, a 40 goal polo team composed of H.P. Whitney, Devereux Milburn and Lawrence and Monty Waterbury. Whitney also spent several years scouring the country for the best ponies he could find. By 1909, everything was ready. They all shipped across the pond and promptly trounced the British. America would win the cup eight of the next nine times it was played.

War intervened in 1939, and the Westchester tradition went into suspended animation, not to stir again for 53 years. In 1992, an

American team flew to England and won the cup in an exciting match that went to double overtime. The team had a heavy Aiken influence since three of the four players (Adam Snow, Owen Rinehart and John Gobin) now live in Aiken, while the fourth, Rob Walton, has a son in Aiken (Del Walton.)

This year’s Westchester challenge represented the fifth time that the British met the Americans since World War II. This year’s American team looked like a 28-goal powerhouse, with the Aiken resident Julio Arellano (8), Nic Roldan (8), Jeff Hall (7) and Peke Gonzales (5). They faced a 25 goal Flannels England team of Tommy Beresford (5), James Beim (7), Ollie Cudmore (6) and James Harper (7). The American

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team may have had the advantage in handicap, but the Flannels team had a bigger leg up since three of the four Englishmen had been playing together in the 2018 high goal season. Just a week before, playing as El Remanso, they had won the 22-goal King Power Gold Cup, the country’s most prestigious contest.

It was a blustery, windy English summer afternoon, and there was a large crowd gathered for the match, which was just one of the polo contests taking place on “international day” at the club. The Flannels team took the lead in the first chukker, and they would never relinquish it. After six chukkers, they galloped off the winner 12-6.

Americans were not completely shut out, however. In addition to the official U.S. team, the USPA also sent over a Junior team to challenge a young Flannels England team on July 27. To be eligible to play in the Junior Westchester Cup, players had to be under 16 years old, with a handicap below four goals. America’s juniors included Hope Arellano (1), a 14-year-old polo phenomenon who is Julio Arellano’s daughter, and a fixture on Aiken’s polo fields, as well as a regular at Aiken’s trophy tables. The other players were Lucas Escobar (1), Bayne Bossom (1.5), Tenzin Tognini (1.5) and Johnny Kirton (0), who went as an alternate.

Joel Baker served as the coach. The Americans played against Charlie Townsend (1), Luke Wiles (1) Milly Hine (1) and Will Harper (1).

The junior Westchester match was a tough, fast-paced and low scoring four-chukker affair. Each team managed a hard-fought goal in the first half. At the end of the third chukker, however, the score was still 1-1. Early in the fourth chukker, Milly Hine scored for England and it looked like that team was gaining the upper hand. But late in the period, USA’s Bayne Bossum tied the score. Then, with just seconds remaining, the Flannels England team incurred a penalty. Lucas Escobar converted for the Americans, who won the match 3-2.

Although the Junior Westchester Cup doesn’t have quite the same illustrious history as the Westchester Cup itself, teams of young players from England and the United States have challenged one another many times in the past. Most recently, America’s Polo Training Foundation (which worked with the USPA to put this year’s team together) has arranged a series of England versus America matches that have been played in England in the summers and in Florida in the winters.

To be eligible to play, junior players are invited to submit an application to the Polo Training Foundation – announcements about these games are made on the PTF website and Facebook page. There are also exchange trips for young players to several other countries around the world: the next one is to New Zealand in November. Applications are due on September 1. (www.polotraining.org) The U.S. Juniors were elated by their Westchester win, which is just one testament to the exceptional job that is being done across the country to introduce young players to the sport and to give them opportunities that earlier generations could only dream about. Those who worry about polo’s future would probably be correct to see this as a good omen for polo’s future. The loss of the Westchester Cup itself, however, might mean that the U.S. has some work to do when it comes to purely professional polo, which is exceedingly rare in this country. England has now won the cup four times in a row, and four of the five times that it has been played since World War II. America still has the edge in total wins, with 10 to England’s eight, but at this rate, England will catch up in no time. It seems as though America’s international teams could use a modern Harry Payne Whitney to get the ball rolling the other way.

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August-September 2018

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August-September 2018

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Combined Test at The Vista

Photography By Gary Knoll

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SAVE THE DATE Barn Tour within Three Runs Plantation

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Great Oak Aiken Therapeutic Riding Center Saturday, October 20, 1pm – 5pm (Rain date: Sunday, October 21)

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August-September 2018

Special Olympics at Bruce’s Field

By Ragan Morehouse

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n June 15th and 16th, the Aiken Horse Park hosted the Special Olympics State Tournament for South Carolina. Thirty-five riders from six regions across the state competed in English and Western equitation and trail classes. Nicole Pioli, the program and volunteer coordinator at Aiken’s Great Oak Therapeutic Riding Center, and Wendy Schonfeld, the director of the RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center in Clover, S.C. organized and orchestrated the event.

Sue Amatangelo, Hampton Shuler (rider), Hollie Tenerowicz and Beth Jaynes

“It was the happiest horse show on earth,” says Nicole. “It was hot but we didn’t have a single meltdown at the entry gate. No one cried when they got their ribbons. It actually went off without a hitch. Everyone was so helpful and happy...but it was hot.”

International Special Olympics equestrian events are held every four years. Special Olympics state tournaments, however, are an annual affair. The state shows are challenging to arrange because rigorous safety standards and competition guidelines must be met. The official “Equestrian Sport Rules” of the Special Olympics organization is a 63-page booklet detailing everything from facility requirements to assessments determining horse suitability. Show organizers can offer any or all of 25 official equestrian events, including, for instance, dressage, gymkhana-style races, and drill team performances.

Planning for the Aiken show began more than a year before the first rider and horse stepped into the ring. It all started with a call from Kelly Garrick, the Area 15 coordinator for the Special Olympics. “Kelly called me and told me about the state tournament and asked if Great Oak would like to be a part of the Special Olympics program,” remembers Nicole. “Even though we were under construction and hadn’t really gotten started yet, I responded with a resounding ‘Yes!’” A few weeks later, when Nicole mentioned the new partnership and the upcoming show to Jack Wetzel, a passionate supporter of Great Oak and the president of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, he immediately insisted that the show should be hosted in Aiken. “He kept saying, ‘It needs to happen in Aiken. It needs to happen at the Aiken Horse Park. It needs to happen in the horse capital of South Carolina,’” says Nicole. “Even though there hadn’t been a state tournament in South Carolina for almost a decade, we decided we would do our best to make it happen.”

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Soon thereafter, Nicole partnered with Wendy Schonfeld, who has participated in the North Carolina Special Olympics state tournaments for many years. Wendy’s experience was instrumental in determining what would be needed in order to meet the requirements of the Special Olympics organization. Wendy also traveled throughout the state, training and certifying volunteers and coaches who would accompany their riders to the show.

In the meantime, Nicole spent her time planning the show, recruiting volunteers, partnering with groups who were already providing services for people with special needs, and overseeing the development of the Great Oak facility. After a year of construction, the center officially opened in January, 2018, and the first lesson was taught on February 14th. Just four months later, Nicole entered a Great Oak team into the Special Olympics tournament. “Even though we are such a new program, we were able to take two horses, four riders, three coaches, and twelve volunteers to the state show,” Nicole says.

“It was an incredible experience for all of us.”

Great Oak currently has five therapy horses in residence.

QP (short for Quarter Pounder), a 17-year-old Haflinger, and Buddy, a 19-year-old quarter horse, were chosen to attend the show because they both had extensive experience in the show environment. QP, donated by Wendy O’Brien, the chairwoman of the Great Oak board of directors, was a driving pony in his former life. A favorite of the staff and riders, QP is known for his sense of humor and his fun-loving personality.

“He plays all of the games with the kids,” explains Nicole. “He will grab the beanbags with his mouth and put them in the holes. He is a riot. He keeps us all laughing.” QP was ridden by two Great Oak riders at the state event, Dawson Fulghum and Hampton Shuler.

Buddy, whose show name is Sympatico, was donated by a Myrtle Beach family who traveled to the state show to watch their old friend compete. “It was a really emotional moment when Buddy saw his old owner,” says Nicole. “He nudged his handler out of the way and put his head on his owner’s chest. It was great to see the bond between them. We all had to fight tears.” Buddy was ridden by Great Oak’s Luis Ayona and Carrie Epps. He was also lent to another team that was short a horse for the competition. Buddy earned the moniker “the Golden Ticket” after receiving blue ribbons in most of his classes.

“As therapeutic riding instructors, we want to keep everyone safe in a bubble,” says Nicole. “But our riders are like, ‘No! We want the challenge, we want to be competitive. There are a lot of people in our lives that keep us in a bubble and we want to be in charge of this 1200 pound animal and show people what we can do.’ I really applauded all of the coaches for loading up their therapeutic horses, which are their most valuable assets, and bringing their riders to this show. It is so important to get our riders out there.”

Nicole has big plans for the South Carolina Special Olympics. She hopes to see entries double for next year’s show, pulling athletes from more areas across the state. “We had six brave areas this year, let’s see if we can get 12 next year,” she says. Nicole is also looking beyond South Carolina for the next level of competition. “We had one of our riders win both of his classes so we were wondering what was next. I found out there isn’t anything next. There are no regional or national competitions. There are only international equestrian games. We need to fix that! There are teams competing in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, so I would love to see a regional tournament be held to give our riders opportunities to be competitive.”

“This is such a small portion of their lives,” adds Nicole. “But the transformations that happen on their horses affect them in the outside world. That is what we are here to do.”

For more information about Great Oak Aiken Therapeutic Riding Center, visit the website: www.greatoakatrc.org

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Aiken Art Annex Cultivating Creativity

By Pam Gleason

“T

he Aiken Art Annex is a safe zone, a non-negative zone. This is not a competition,” said Georgianna Conger-Wolcott, an Aiken-based artist who teaches drawing and painting at the new facility.

“Sometimes I have to remind people about that because they’re so hard on themselves. It’s amazing to see what people can produce when they let go of that negativity. ” “We both believe in the concept of teaching from the right side of your brain,” said Jim Marquis, a painter who teaches classes in oils. “We spend so much time using the left sides of our brains. If you can learn to get over there, to the right side, you can be creative. What we try to do is keep people relaxed enough that they end up sliding over there. By the time they leave here, after two and a half hours, you can see that they are so much better, so much more relaxed.”

“There’s a kind of release that happens when you get over to the right side,” added Georgianna, who is known to her friends as Girl. “I feel it myself when I am painting. I can get so involved. I sit down and four hours just disappear.”

The Aiken Art Annex is located in a studio at the corner of Fairfield and Park Streets in downtown Aiken. In addition to studio space, it offers a gallery and an attractive garden with outdoor lighting, perfect for cocktail parties and other get-togethers. Classes, held in the day or in the evening, are offered weekly in six-week long sessions at a cost of $250.

Jane Hottensen, better known as the owner of Folly, a downtown Aiken boutique, created the organization last year. In addition to being a store owner, Jane is an interior designer and a member of the Aiken winter colony of horse people. She spends the cooler months in Aiken, while the warmer ones will find her in Rhode Island. There, she went to Avondale Arts, a learning center in Westerly that offers art classes of all kinds, and she dreamed of having a similar place in Aiken. When she encountered the space that is now the Art Annex, she was inspired. The buildings and garden had been sold recently to a father and son lawyer team who have offices there. The studio space had been used previously by a sculptor, but both the studio and the gallery were in need of many repairs.

“The lawyers didn’t have much use for the gallery and the studio, and I did,” Jane said. She made an agreement that she could lease the spaces if she renovated them. She then hired Grant Larlee from Larlee Construction to transform the studio into a small classroom with exposed brick and plentiful natural light. She convinced Girl and Jim to teach the first classes, and the Art Annex was ready to go. She also established it as a 501c3 not-for-profit, with the plan that if the classes had a profit at the end of the year, it could be used as a youth scholarship to promote the arts.

The first classes were held last fall. Interest and attendance grew quickly and it was clear that the Art Annex was filling a real need in the community. Girl said that some of her students are very serious about pursuing art, and the low key, no pressure atmosphere also makes it inviting for people who have never tried to do art before, and people who would like to try drawing or painting but think they have no talent for it.

“Anyone can learn to draw or paint,” said Girl. “I have had people come in who are older, some as old as 90, and they have these amazing abilities.”

Jim, who taught art in Florida, said he appreciates the freedom of the Art Annex. “It worked out well because there are no rules, and nobody is dictating to us how we teach. The way we teach, there is no pressure.

We tell our students to leave the pressure at the door. This place is a little Zen, a little relaxing.”

The reputation Girl and Jim already have in the Aiken community, the comfortable atmosphere, and the attractive space combined to bolster the success of the new studio. In addition to art classes, the Annex has also had some art shows, including a show of the photographs of Barry Bornstein. There have been book signings and musicians have played in the garden. All three spaces, the studio, the gallery and the garden, are

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available to rent.

“It’s been amazing,” said Jane Hottensen. “Our evening events last spring were very well attended. We’d like to do more in the future, especially in the garden. We’d like to build our schedule, to offer more crafts, maybe do a Christmas workshop. We have visions of expanding our offerings – yoga, meditation – we’re open to anything that’s creative.

It’s just a great space to promote the arts.

“I think we’re offering another outlet for people to be creative,” continued Jane, who has been taking classes herself, both because she loves to study art and so that she can see how everything is going.

“One thing that I think surprised Girl and Jim was how talented so many of their students are. Totally new painters were producing really beautiful pieces of art. We all have more creative abilities than we realize. What we are doing in these classes isn’t just exercising the right side of the brain, it is tapping into that creativity for the first time.”

Interested in taking or teaching classes? Renting the space for your event?

Visit www.aikenartannex.com for more information.

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Dressage Dreams

Alexis Cwik follows her heart

By Ragan Morehouse, Photography by Gary Knoll

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lexis Cwik has international aspirations and Olympic dreams.

Alexis, 22, is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken where she earned a degree in exercise and sports science. She came to South Carolina two years ago after her parents moved to Tenacious Acres, their new farm in Three Runs Plantation, an equestrian residential community in Aiken. While completing her degree at USC, she managed their stable and kept three horses in training. Now she is 100% devoted to dressage.

“I am committed to training and teaching full time, which I adore, and I couldn’t imagine my life following any other path,” she says.

With steadfast determination, family support and some exciting new training opportunities, she seems to be well on her way to fulfilling her dreams.

Alexis was born in St. Charles, Illinois, and she grew up on her family’s horse training and breeding facility in Deerfield, Wisconsin. Alexis’s mother Natalie is a lifelong horsewoman, whose first love was the equitation ring. By the time Alexis came along, she was devoted to dressage, breeding and training German Riding Ponies and German warmbloods. Natalie named the farm Tenacious Acres because, as she puts it, “I have always been called tenacious and you need to be tenacious to survive the horse business.”

Alexis’s younger sister, Jamie, and her father, Doug, did not get infected by the horse bug. Alexis, however, has shared her mother’s passion since she was 2 years old.

“My first pony was a 30 year old Shetland named Beaux,” remembers Alexis. “He could barely do walk/trot and liked to buck when you finally got him to trot.”

At 5, Alexis graduated to Sandman, a Quarter pony that she took to schooling shows and had fun with. By the time she was 8, she had a Welsh pony named Jesse James that introduced her to dressage.

Although she says she was hooked on the sport, there were a few rough moments.

“Jesse and I were competing at a show that got postponed due to rain,” remembers Alexis. “When it was finally our turn to show, there were puddles everywhere so I didn’t want to ride. Mom got on and made sure Jesse was OK with the puddles, which he was. I finally went into the arena but then I was too scared to canter, which my mom insisted that I do. So my mom tells the judge to put her pencil down, comes in with a lunge whip and makes me do my test. The whole time, I’m crying, she’s yelling, and Jesse is trotting around like nothing out-of-the-ordinary is happening. When we come out of the arena, mom is laughing, asking if they were going to call child services on her. I have been a bold competitor ever since!”

As her skills progressed, Alexis spent more and more time riding. She had a Morgan mare named Bonnie and she rode some of her mother’s homebreds and a few horses owned by other people. When she was 16, Alexis’s mother brought home a 10 year old Selle Français gelding, Bonsai, who was schooling Third level. “He was the kindest horse,” says Alexis. “That made him an incredible teacher to learn from and he quickly became my heart horse.” Tragedy struck six months after his arrival and he had to be put down. “I was devastated,” reports Alexis. “I took several months off from everything. I didn’t go out to the barn. I didn’t ride. I didn’t have anything to do with the horses.”

But after three months of grieving, Alexis was back, this time to ride a horse her mother leased for her: Snapshot, a 17-year-old Oldenburg mare, who had been an alternate on the U.S. Eventing Team for the Pan American Games. “This mare was really hot,” Alexis recalls. “She was an incredible teacher and truly set me up to ride the hot horses.”

Alexis also rode and competed her mother’s horses, including Beaujolais, her mother’s German Riding Pony stallion, with whom she won the

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Region 2 Junior-Young Rider Second Level Dressage Championship, along with her USDF Bronze medal and the USEF National Reserve Championship for Jr/YR at the Second level.

After graduating from high school, she matriculated at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, with plans to attend medical school after majoring in biology. Meanwhile, her parents were planning a major move. They had purchased a 12-acre lot in Three Runs Plantation in Aiken and had been busy building a training farm there. In 2016, realizing that she wanted to make her career with horses rather than medicine, she switched her major to exercise and sports science. Then she transferred to USC Aiken and made the move South to join her family.

Although she has taken several years off from competing in dressage to earn her bachelor’s degree, she plans to be back in the arena very soon. Her current partner is Wrubix, a homebred, 18-hand 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Wradar.

“He is my fire-breathing dragon and has been the steepest learning curve of all the horses I’ve had,” explains Alexis. “This horse is the most powerful horse I’ve ever sat on and has the most unpredictable attitude. Mom has always told me that the top horses are never easy and he reminds me of that regularly. But his quirks make him that much more special – and I know he has the heart, the ego, and the talent to make it into the international ring. After a very trying and challenging first few years working together, we are starting to become dependable teammates. Learning to work with his size and power has been an adjustment. He’s not a forgiving horse, so I’ve learned a lot in a short amount of time with him as well – the fewer mistakes I can make, the happier he is. With all the challenges we’ve been through, when things click, there’s no greater feeling in the world. I feel like I can fly when I ride him. He makes me feel like my dreams can come true.”

Alexis says she and Wrubix are currently ready to compete at Third and Fourth levels and she hopes to be showing at Prix St. Georges in the spring of 2019.

Although she continues to train with her mom and attend clinics whenever she can, Alexis is most excited to be working with Kasey Perry Glass, the 2016 Rio Olympics Team bronze medalist. Last December, Alexis and Wrubix shipped down to Kasey’s base in Wellington, Florida for five weeks during Alexis’s college winter break.

“It was the most transformative month of training,” says Alexis. “I am on cloud nine to have the opportunity to ride with her.” Alexis plans to spend the 2018-2019 winter season in Wellington training with Kasey and competing at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

In the meantime, she is thrilled to share her passion for her sport with a growing number of students, including members of the Aiken County Pony Club. Her enthusiasm, her humor, and her sincerity have quickly made her a favorite teacher for many of Aiken’s serious young dressage riders.

“These young people are the future of the sport, and while I’m younger myself, I do everything I can to help out those coming up the ranks,” she says. “I have had a lot of support to get to where I am, and it’s only right that I turn around and give a hand. This is a hard industry to break into and a hard industry to survive in. It really comes down to people trying to help each other out. Plus, when things click for my students, it is the best feeling in the world. It just makes my heart happy.”

To contact Alexis, visit www.facebook.com/TenaciousAcresDressage, email her at alexis@tenaciousacres.com, or call her at 608.512.9516.

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Inside 64 68 71 72 74 77 86

Remembering John Gaver Getting Into Halter Classifieds Directory Summer at Paradise Calendar of Events Index

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Remembering Aiken’s Horsemen

John Milton Gaver, Racehorse Trainer: 1900-1982

By Pam Gleason

W

hen asked what made a racehorse trainer successful, John M. Gaver had a standard answer.

“Good horses make good trainers,” he said. “You must have the material to work with. I honestly believe to be a successful trainer, you have to have 98% luck and 2% common sense.”

Occasionally, Gaver might change his estimate of the proportions of these necessary elements (sometimes it was 90% luck and 10% common sense), but whatever the magic recipe, he certainly had it. In his fourdecade career as a trainer for the Whitney family’s Greentree Stable (based in Aiken and New York) he conditioned 77 stakes winners, including three winners of Triple Crown races, two of which, Shut Out (1942) and Capot (1949) won two of the three classics, just missing the

Retirement ceremony for Tom Fool Triple Crown itself. His third classic winner, Stage Door Johnny, won the Belmont in 1968, thus denying Forward Pass his own Triple Crown bid.

Gaver also trained four national champions (Devil Diver, 1944; Capot, 1949; Stage Door Johnny, 1968; and Tom Fool, 1953) including two horses of the year (Capot and Tom Fool.) Tom Fool, considered one of the top racehorses of the 20th century, didn’t enter the Triple Crown races because of a respiratory illness in his 3-year-old year. But at 4, he swept New York’s Handicap Triple Crown: the Metropolitan, the Suburban and the Brooklyn Handicaps. He was one of only four horses ever to achieve this honor. Gaver was named Trainer of the Year in 1949 and 1966, the same year he was inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga.

Gaver stood out because of his success, but also because of his personality and his background. Most racehorse trainers of the day had been born to racing families, and many were former jockeys. Gaver, on the other hand, was the son of a country doctor, and he was a 1924 graduate of Princeton University. He was a press favorite, known for his wit and his intelligence. Newspaper articles referred to him as “Princeton Johnny, the only trainer in captivity with a college degree.”

Gaver was born in Mt. Airy, Maryland on October 29, 1900, one of four children of Dr. William Edgar Gaver and his wife, the former Laura

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Urner. Dr. Gaver was a popular and well-known physician, and when he visited his patients he drove a buggy pulled by a pair of horses. As a young boy, John and his siblings also had a Shetland pony. From early on, John was fascinated by these horses.

“I used to spend all my time studying them and I’d come in smelling of manure and talking like a stablehand,” he told a reporter from Sports Illustrated in 1965.

John’s father, Dr. Gaver, had married later in life, and when John was just 11, Dr. Gaver, 59, died suddenly of a heart attack, said to have been brought on by rheumatism and overwork. Not long afterwards, John was sent to the Tome School in Port Deposit, Maryland. This

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collected Thoroughbred racehorse cards. He was smitten.

After graduating from the Tome School, Gaver matriculated at Princeton, where he was active in student government. Upon graduation with a B.S. (he claimed in later interviews that he didn’t remember what he majored in) he took a job at a private school for boys, the Gilman School in Baltimore, where he taught French and Spanish. After about a year, he left Gilman to work as a statistician and bond salesman for J.P. Baer & Son, a Baltimore investment firm.

He hated that job and only lasted there for about two years before moving on. When a group of five of his friends formed the Maryland Bloodstock Agency, they hired him to be the secretary and an agent.

The Maryland Bloodstock Agency, the first organization of its kind in the state, held public and private yearling sales.

While still at Princeton, John had a classmate and friend whose aunt and uncle, Lewis and Geraldine Thompson, owned Brookdale Farm in Red Bank, New Jersey. This was a large farm with three racetracks, pastures for broodmares and foals and stabling for over 100 horses in training. At the time, the training facilities were leased to the racehorse

Above and left: Gaver with Shut Out; Eddie Arcaro up, Belmont Stakes.

was a prestigious private boarding school set on a bluff overlooking the Susquehanna River, with gracious beaux-arts style architecture and spectacular grounds. (These were designed respectively, by the firm that created the immigration station on New York’s Ellis Island and by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture in America.)

When John was 15, a friend took him to the racetrack. There, he saw horse racing for the first time, and he knew it was the sport for him. With the first money he ever earned, he subscribed to the Thoroughbred Record, and he spent much of his free time learning pedigrees and analyzing racing forms. Instead of baseball cards, he

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owner, polo player and philanthropist Harry Payne Whitney. Whitney’s racehorses spent the winters there, training under the eye of the Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Rowe ( James Rowe Sr.) Rowe, approaching 70 at the time, was immensely successful: his horses won the Belmont Stakes a record eight times. He was also the trainer of Regret, the first filly ever to win the Kentucky Derby (1915) and of Upset, the only horse ever to beat Man o’War (1919).

John and his friend began to spend most of their Sundays at Brookdale. They soon became good friends with Rowe and with his son, James Rowe Jr, who was a little more than a decade older than them. When James Rowe Sr. died in 1929, James Rowe Jr. took over as Whitney’s trainer. The younger Rowe wondered if Gaver might come on as an assistant.

He didn’t have to ask twice. “I said hell yes,” recalled Gaver in the same Sports Illustrated interview. “Goodbye Maryland Bloodstock Agency, goodbye Baltimore, goodbye Maryland!” It was an office job, involving secretarial and managerial work, but it suited him perfectly and it got him close to horses. Every morning at dawn he would go out to watch them work on the track. It was the beginning of his real education in racehorse training.

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Harry Payne Whitney died in 1930, whereupon James Rowe and John Gaver moved their training operation over to Helen Hay Whitney’s Greentree stable. Helen Hay Whitney was the widow of Harry Payne’s estranged brother Payne Whitney. She and her son John Hay Whitney (known as Jock) and daughter Joan Whitney Payson, were devoted to horses and to racing. They were internationally famous for their charming personalities, impeccable manners and their dedication to doing things correctly – as well as for their immense fortune. With Rowe as head trainer and Gaver as assistant, Greentree’s success in the racing world really took off. The first important horse they had was Twenty Grand, winner of the Kentucky Derby in 1931 and the champion racehorse of that year.

But Jimmy Rowe Jr. was not able to enjoy his success for long. In the fall of 1931, he died suddenly of a heart attack – he was just 42. John Gaver stayed on under a new trainer, slowly taking on more and more hands-on responsibilities. In 1939, after an apprenticeship of ten years, Mrs. Whitney’s business manager asked him to take over as head trainer.

Of course, he said yes.

In 1937, Gaver had married Mary Huston Molloy (known as “Husie”), the daughter of a doctor from Lexington, Kentucky. In 1940, they had their first son, John M. Gaver, Jr,. and in 1943 they had their second son, James M. Gaver.

The family had a home on Long Island in New York, though John followed the Greentree horses to Saratoga in the summer and to Florida in the winter.

By 1939, World War II had broken out in Europe, and after the United States entered the war in December 1941, the racing world entered a quieter period. The Gaver family came to Aiken for the first time in the fall of 1942. It had been announced that there would be no racing in Florida that winter. The Aiken Training Track had just been completed and the Whitney family had many Aiken connections, so Aiken was the natural place for Greentree’s new winter base.

Right away, the Gavers knew they loved Aiken. They established a home on South Boundary Avenue, where they would stay from November to April while Gaver oversaw the conditioning of the Greentree horses at the Aiken Training Track. When the children reached school age, they attended Aiken Day School and Aiken Prep before going off to boarding school in Massachusetts. When they were in school in Aiken, Husie and the boys would come down to Aiken earlier in the fall, to be joined by John around Thanksgiving.

From the 1940s into the 1970s, the Aiken Training Track was in its heyday. In addition to the Whitney’s Greentree horses, there were young horses from the Paul Mellon’s Rokeby Stables, horses from the Hancock’s Claiborne Farm and more. Horses that would go on to be champions abounded, as did future Hall of Fame trainers, such as Mack Miller and Woody Stephens.

To say that the Greentree horses did well under Gaver would be an understatement. John had his first major success shortly after he became the head trainer. This was with two horses from the crop of 1939, both bred by Helen Hay Whitney at her farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Devil Diver and Shut Out would both make names for themselves: Shut Out by winning the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 1942, and Devil Diver by becoming the champion older male horse of 1943 and 1944. In addition, he also won the Metropolitan handicap in three successive years (1943, 1944 and 1945), a feat that had never been

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accomplished before, and has not been equaled today.

The auspicious start to Gaver’s solo training career foreshadowed what was to come. He devoted his heart and soul to the Greentree horses, and they rewarded him by running and winning the most prestigious races at the most distinguished tracks in the country. His favorite horse and the one that he considered the best he ever trained was Tom Fool, a winner of 21 races with earnings of over half a million dollars (over five million in today’s money.) Tom Fool, the 2-year-old horse of the year in 1951 and horse of the year in 1953 was inducted into the National and Aiken racing halls of fame. Aside from his racing ability Tom Fool also had a wonderful temperament and he developed a close relationship with Gaver as well as with his regular rider, Ted Atkinson.

“After Tom Fool was retired to stud in Lexington [Kentucky] Pop would go to visit him out in his pasture,” says John’s son Jim, who still lives in Aiken. “They tell me that Tom Fool would see him at some distance and come running up to him at the fence. It’s a stunning story. Those two were made for one another – both were at the top of their respective professions.”

Gaver claimed there was no secret to his success. He was a devoted hard worker with high standards and the utmost integrity. He did not take days off or vacations. His horses always came first, and he expected everyone who worked for the stable to have the same commitment to his job.

“He was so dedicated to what he was doing, to call him conscientious would be an insult,” says Jim. “He was besotted with his horses and his responsibilities: it was his life and those horses were his oxygen. If you could have seen the stables here in Aiken or Greentree Stable in New York – you could have eaten off the walking ring, that’s how clean it was. It was unbelievable, immaculate.”

According to Jim, one of the other extraordinary things about his father was his close relationship with the owners of Greentree; Jock Whitney and his sister Joan Whitney Payson (Helen Hay Whitney had died in 1944). “For all three of them, the well-being of the horse always came first,” says Jim. “They loved racing and they loved their horses and they all three put the horse’s well-being before everything. If there was even the slightest question, they would not run the horse. The purse money did not come first, ever. And the Whitneys loved my father.

They knew they could trust him with anything.”

In addition to loving horse racing, Gaver was also a baseball fan.

According to Jim, he took Mrs. Payson to her very first professional baseball game. She got hooked, too. In fact, she loved baseball so much, eventually she invested in the New York Giants. After the Giants moved to San Francisco in 1957, she started her own team, the New York Mets, becoming the first woman to own a major league team without inheriting it.

As far as training methods went, Gaver believed first and foremost that each horse was an individual, and that no two could be trained exactly alike. He took great care in getting to know his charges, tailoring his program to each horse’s individual needs. Following in the footsteps of Jimmy Rowe Sr., he was also a great believer in conditioning. Never one to “race a horse into shape,” Gaver worked his horses hard before taking them to the track, so that when they got there they were ready to win. He used to cite Rowe’s great filly Regret as an example of this: the first race of her 3-year-old year was the Kentucky Derby, which she won. “That’s conditioning!” he said.

Gaver’s success, coupled with his unusual story and personality made him something of a celebrity, especially in the New York area.

“At Belmont and at Saratoga, where the public was close to the saddling area, people would yell out to him –‘there’s Princeton Johnny!’

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He was legendary and he was recognized everywhere,” remembers Jim. “We would go to Yankee Stadium and people would come up and ask for his autograph and he would be so embarrassed.”

Gaver was not an especially talkative man, and he was frequently described as being “no-nonsense.” But he had a terrific sense of humor and his dry wit could be devastating. Very much an old school type

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of person, he was always described as a gentleman, dressed in a tweed jacket and Lock & Co hat from London. “I don’t think I ever saw him without a tie on,” says Jim. But far from being stern, as a father and a family man, he was kind to a fault, and he had a great love for his other animals – dogs, barn cats, even a giant green parrot named Joe. (In the 1960s, several Aiken winter residents had parrots, and Joe used to invite his parrot friends over for “parrot parties” in the Gaver home.)

“To say that he was generous with his affection and in his parenting would be an insult,” says Jim. “He was as besotted with his wife and his kids as he was with his horses. We were spoiled rotten.”

By the middle 1970s, Gaver was beginning to feel his age. His elder son John Jr. (known as Jack) had followed his footsteps into racehorse training and took on some of his father’s responsibilities. ( Jim, on the other hand, followed a different set of his father’s footsteps to Princeton.) In 1977, he suffered a stroke, after which he retired in Aiken. Although he was still involved as a consultant to Greentree and he still visited the stables, Jack succeeded him as head trainer. In his retirement, John devoted himself to raising camellias, a hobby he had started some years earlier – he was a member of the Aiken Camellia Club and co-founded the Aiken Camellia Show in 1954.

John M. Gaver died in 1982 at the age of 81. He left behind an indelible legacy in Aiken as well as in the American racing world, where he is remembered as an outstanding, unique and talented individual.

He is honored every year at the Aiken Trials, where the Gaver trophy is given out in his memory. What was perhaps most striking about him beyond his accomplishments was his devotion to the things he cared about – his horses and his family – and his indefatigable work ethic.

“It would be easy to go overboard about him as a father and a professional,” says Jim. “And he wouldn’t like it one bit. But that’s the way he was.”

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Getting Into AQHA Halter & Showmanship The Joys of Showing In Hand

By Pam Gleason

F

or Gretchen Hash Heffner, the best thing about competing in showmanship at halter is the deepening of her relationship with her Quarter Horse, Howie (registered name Henry’s Desert Venture.)

“The connection between us is so much stronger now because we operate together as a team,” she says.

Although Gretchen’s background is in hunt seat and dressage, she is not a newcomer to the Quarter Horse world. Her husband, Lou, has shown in American Quarter Horse Association halter classes for years.

But until a few years ago, Gretchen, who is a graphic designer and teaching artist, had never gone over to the Western side. Showing in the dressage ring with her now-retired Thoroughbred Edgar, she discovered that she liked to ride prescribed patterns. Showmanship, which requires exhibitors to perform a pattern in hand, was a natural transition for her,

Gretchen Hash Heffner in the SCQHA ring with Howie and it suits her style and personality.

“I never really liked showing where you just walked, trotted and cantered around the ring,” she says. “My brain would take over too much and I would start questioning myself. When I’m riding a pattern, that part of my brain is occupied with remembering what to do next, and that makes me feel more comfortable as a rider, and now as a handler.”

In typical AQHA and APHA (American Paint Horse Association) shows, there are several ways to show horses in hand, according to Chris Thompson, who is an Aiken-based judge and trainer. First there are halter classes, which are judged entirely on the horse’s conformation.

Horses are bred and conditioned specifically to be halter horses and most of them aren’t ridden at all. Second, there is performance halter.

This is a conformation class that is limited to horses that are also entered and competing in performance classes at the same show. Horses are

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judged on conformation, but, since they are also performance horses, they will tend to be leaner than their strictly halter cousins.

Finally there is showmanship at halter. In this class, the horse’s conformation does not enter into the judging. Instead, horses and their handlers are judged as a team while they perform a pattern. Patterns are specific to each show, but they include typical elements: walking, trotting, backing (in straight or curved lines), pivot turns, halts and setting up squarely for the judge.

According to the AQHA rulebook, “showmanship is designed to evaluate the exhibitor’s ability to execute, in concert with a well groomed and conditioned horse, a set of maneuvers prescribed by the judge with precision and smoothness while exhibiting poise and confidence, and maintain a balanced, functional and fundamentally correct body position.” Unlike halter and performance halter, showmanship at halter is only available to youth and amateur competitors. It is considered a performance class.

“Showmanship is a great class because you don’t need an expensive horse or expensive equipment. Anybody can compete in it and do well if they put in the time and effort,” says Chris.

“Once you know the basics, you don’t really need a trainer. If you have a horse that already knows how to do it, it’s awesome.

It does take a while to teach the horse, because so much precision is involved.”

Chris notes that the showmanship classes are among the most popular in AQHA and APHA shows, attracting people who are already at the show to ride, as well as those who are showing in the halter classes. An additional benefit is that it is a performance class that is available to people who don’t ride, whether because they are not riders, or they are no longer able to get on a horse because of an injury or some other reason. “It’s a great class for people who want to be competitive. You can go in and do your pattern and get that feeling of satisfaction. It’s competitive and fun for anybody.”

Abigail Pait, who is 24 and the daughter of the Quarter Horse trainer Jeffrey Pait based on Aiken’s Southside, grew up showing Quarter Horses in a wide variety of disciplines. In her opinion, showmanship is very useful, especially for youth competitors: it teaches horsemen to be detail-oriented and to focus on little things, like making sure their horse is standing square. Training for the class improves horsemanship skills and emphasizes how much a horse can respond to body language. Finally, it can be a real confidence booster.

“It teaches you to present yourself,” she says. “What you learn in showmanship translates to everything else in horsemanship, and also in everyday life. If you want to make a good impression in public you have to have good posture, for instance. Showmanship is great for that.”

Showing horses in halter, whether in a performance class like showmanship or in a conformation class requires a great deal of preparation, not just in the grooming and the conditioning of the horse, but to ensure that horse and handler are perfectly in sync, and that the horse shows himself off to his best advantage.

“A lot of people think you just walk in and plop them down,” says Ina Ginsberg, who has halter horses. She handles them herself in the amateur divisions while her trainer Jeffrey Pait shows them in open classes. “But you have to learn the tricks of the trade and you have to practice. Your horse is trained to respond to you, and there are different ways that you hold them, that you place your feet and you carry your body that gets them to show their best. Every horse is different.”

Ina, who is in her 80s and very petite, says that she works out with a

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Abigail Pait competing on a national level trainer and keeps fit, but she believes that most of the strength required has a downloadable book that introduces the discipline. There are also to handle a halter horse is mental rather than physical. She goes to the videos on the AQHA YouTube channel that are helpful, including stable regularly to practice handling her horses. When she was younger, winning runs from the top shows. Gretchen suggests attending a she rode in hunter shows. She also bred and showed dogs, and so few shows in person: the South Carolina Quarter Horse Association competition is in her blood. holds them regularly at the South Carolina Horse Park in Camden.

“It’s very rewarding,” she says. “I love to see the beauty of the horse.

“The shows have a great atmosphere,” she says. “It’s fun and people are That is why I do it.” supportive: it’s a great community if you’re an amateur wanting to get Gretchen Heffner says that she into the show ring. It’s all people who practices her in-hand work and patterns want to have fun and enjoy their horses.” with her horse Howie several times a But she warns that, simple as the week. She practices on her own, and showmanship class looks, it takes a lot of sometimes with coaching from Chris preparation. “You can’t just wing it,” she Thompson, who also helps her with says with a laugh. performance under saddle. Before she Chris Thompson agrees. “It looks easy got him five years ago, Howie was already and it is, in a sense,” she says. “But you well schooled in showmanship, but have to do a lot of work to get to that Gretchen relied on Chris to help her point where you become a team with learn the elements of the class as well as your horse and make it look effortless. It’s for advice on everything, including what competitive and can be fun for anybody clothing to buy for the shows. Because and you can do it at any level. But if you Gretchen shows Howie in hunter classes, want to be successful, you do have to he is always presented English style prepare.” with a braided mane. Showmanship, “I really recommend it,” says Gretchen, however requires a western-type outfit as she stands at her horse’s stall, giving for the handlers, including a cowboy him a pat. “It’s another thing to do with hat. Gretchen says she wears an ordinary your horse, another reason to spend black suit with a colored scarf around her time with him, and it opens up a whole neck. new aspect of your relationship. I’m Ina Ginsberg practicing with her halter horse in Aiken “Some people wear a western shirt with not that person who will ride any horse bling,” she says. “But I’m comfortable in my black suit. It makes me feel that is given to me. I want my horse, my partnership. It took a while very empowered.” with Howie, but we have it, we’re a team now. He’s not a mode of If you are interested in getting into showmanship, what is your first transportation; he’s not a means to get an award. I just love him. I trust step? Abigail Pait advises people to start at the AQHA website, which him and he trusts me. . . .I feel so blessed.”

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Classifieds Stalls Available at Small Private Farm. Quiet, well maintained farm

located 5 minutes from Full Gallop, 15 minutes from Hitchcock woods and downtown Aiken. Large pastures with 3-board no climb fencing and run-ins.

12x12 matted stalls with ceiling fans, air-conditioned tack room with fridge.

Sand riding ring, access to miles of trails, outdoor wash stall. Self-care, partial or full care available.

StayABitFarm@gmail.com; 202-285-9540

Land For Sale

10 ac off 78 in Aiken.

Fenced, in grass and horse shelter.

Karenphillis@yahoo.com 803 646-8606

1890’s Auto Surrey

Amish refurbished Padded Patent leather fenders and dash, convertible top and rubberized wheels. Paint and seat refurbished by antique auto restorer.

Single and double shafts included.

Mill Race Farm, Aiken, SC. Warm weather luxury horse retirement, breaking, training, layups. 803-640-1818

$8,995.00

803-599-6605 BOARDING/TURNOUT Chime Ridge Stables. Come join us! Fun group of mature riders at Chime Ridge Stables. Space available full, partial or DIY. 803508-3761; please leave message.

BUILDING/REPAIRS/ PAINT Building & Repair: Carpentry, Doors, Windows, Decks, Cabinets, Trim, Stairs, Railings, Gates, Wood Siding, Floors, Framing, Repairs. Licensed, bonded, insured. Contact Paul Dyches. paul.t.dyches@gmail.com.

803-645-6645.

HAY Round and Square Bales.

Oakwood Farms: 3593 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken SC 29803. $60 per bale round hay bales. $70 per bale round bales kept inside.

Square bales at $7.00 per bale.

Will deliver for a small fee. Please call 706-830-2600 or 803-8270864. email garymcelmurray@ glmconstruction.net

Hoss Luva Hay! Exceptional quality Coastal Bermuda. Real fertilizer and lime to Clemson specs, not chicken litter. Never rained on. Square and round bales. Competitively priced. Can deliver state-wide. Fully enclosed truck. Satisfaction guaranteed. Jim McClain. 803.247.4803.

PETS&SERVICES Trinity Farms Terriers: Norfolk Terriers & Russell Terriers.

Quality family dogs with proven calmer dispositions. Generations of great temperaments. Health/ dispositions guaranteed. Breeder of terriers for 30+ years. Donna Fitzpatrick. 803.648.3137. www.easyjacks.com & www. trinityfarmskennel.com & trinitynorfolkterriers.com.

REAL ESTATE & RENTALS Aiken Luxury Rentals. Distinctive accommodations for horse & rider in beautiful Aiken, SC. Downtown fully furnished cottages, historic

Early 1800’s home

has stood the test of time. Renovated, expanded & updated. Original heart pine floors, heavy crown molding, ship lap & plaster walls w/high ceilings through out. Formal living, dining room, 4 beds, 3.5 baths. Beautiful crystal chandeliers, clawfoot tubs add to Southern charm. Porches & patio surrounded by live oaks, pecans & magnolias. On 69 acres; 8 acres coastal hay field & 3-5 acres fenced for horses. Property boards Clouds Creek. Stables, detached garage/carports/ shop & large out building. A must see for anyone looking for country living at its best. Contact Wally Gantt. 803 351-1122

August-September 2018

Mill Race Farm, Aiken, SC. 2 six stall barns & turnout.

3 BR. living quarters. Show ring & riding trails. 803-6401818

stables. Executive relocation; corporate housing. Short & long term. www. aikenluxuryrentals. com; info@aikenluxuryrentals. com. 803.648.2804.

Black Sheep Farm. Unfurnished 3 bed/ 2 bath cottages for long term rental and small furnished loft apartment, small guest house for short term 2 night to seasonal rental, charming pastoral setting yet proximate to downtown Aiken, and Hitchcock Woods.

Horses and pets welcome. www. blacksheepfarmaiken.com. 904234-9596 Aiken Fine Homes and Land.

Specializing in selling or renting homes, farms, land & barns for short or long term leases. 28 years experience in helping people find the property of their dreams, even if it takes building it! Call Barbara Lawrence, 803-439-0778 for honest & realistic answers to your real estate questions.

ISO Small Cottage: In search of small cottage near town. One or two bedrooms. Looking for a rental time fram of December through May. Contact jstebbins@ aol.com.

For Rent: Four 12 X 12 stalls, pasture turnout. Trailer hookup.

803-295-2583.

SHAVINGS Shaving Saver: Delivering you bulk shavings the economical & convenient way! Large, durable bags (950 lbs.) of pine shavings delivered to your stable. Reusable, eco-friendly bags make storage neat and simple; bulk pricing makes your bedding affordable.

Quality blended easy sift & large flake shavings that your horse will love! Call or text Claudia White 410-303-4617 or email scshavingsaver@gmail.com

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Directory of Services BARNS,CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING Cooper Home and Stable. For Equestrians by Equestrians. A unique design and build general contractor specializing in equestrian construction and farm development, architecturally designed custom homes, historic renovations, remodeling and additions. Contact J. D. Cooper, cell 502417-2307, office 803-335-3527, www.cooperhs.com.

Joshua Jackson Builders. Building custom homes, barns, and estates in and around the Aiken area. Acreage available for sale. www.

JoshuaJacksonBuilders.com 803-642-2790 Larlee Construction, LLC. Fine Equestrian Facilities. 1096 Toolebeck Road, Aiken SC 29803. 803.642.9096. www.larleeconstruction.com.

BLANKET CLEANING & REPAIR Introducing Aiken Horse Blanket Couture! Welcome one, welcome all!

Finally, you can have your favorite equine creation designed and made just for you and your horse. Fine material, fine sewing, fine products. For your consultation and initial fitting, contact Elisa at 803-640-3211. On the other side of things; washing, waterproofing and repairing blankets, sheets and fly sheets still exists. Same cell number as above. Email: elisa@ aikenhorseblanket.com BOARDING/TURNOUT/TRAINING/SALES Chime Ridge Stables. Stalls available, full, partial or self care. Fun, friendly, adult atmosphere. Convenient to town, South Aiken 803-508-3760.

Du Lop Acres. Retirement/Rehab. The farm is based in one of the quietest areas of South Carolina and is ideal for any horse to retire or rehabilitate.

A peaceful farm for horses offering personalized full care for your horse. www.dulopacres.com. 858-208-6027 The Stable On The Woods: Elite boarding & training facility and home to trainers Darrell and Melissa Vaughn. With access to Hitchcock Woods, our barn sits on 70 acres and boasts a full size dressage arena with mirrors, show jumping arena and high-quality grass pastures making this the ideal place for you and your horse. Training program to meet your needs, whether your discipline is Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers or Foxhunting. www.thestableonthewoods.com 603.785.0435 Vaughn Equestrian: offering training, sales, and boarding. Professionalism is the guiding principle of owners Darrell and Melissa Vaughn in shaping every component of Vaughn Equestrian. Dressage, Jumpers, Eventing & Young Horses. training and sales. www.vaughnequestrian.com (603)-7850435 COMPANION ANIMALS, CARE & SERVICES Palmetto Dog Club. Training classes, puppy socialization, obedience, rally & agility. 803-262-9686. www.palmettodogclub.org.

Trinity Farms Terriers: Norfolk Terriers & Russell Terriers. Quality family dogs with proven calmer dispositions. Generations of great temperaments. Health/dispositions guaranteed. Breeder of terriers for 30+ years. Donna Fitzpatrick. 803.648.3137. www.easyjacks.com & www. trinityfarmskennel.com & trinitynorfolkterriers.com.

FEED, SUPPLEMENTS & SUPPLIES Aiken County Farm Supply. 1933 Park Ave., Aiken. 803.649.2987.

Aiken Saddlery & Supply. Full service tack & feed store. 1044 E. Pine Log Rd., Aiken. 803.649.6583. www.aikensaddlery.com HAY Hoss Luva Hay! Exceptional quality Coastal Bermuda. Real fertilizer and lime to Clemson specs, not chicken litter. Never rained on. Square and round bales. Competitively priced. Can deliver state-wide. Fully enclosed truck. Satisfaction guaranteed. Jim McClain. 803.247.4803.

HOME & FARM SERVICES Be Fly Free. Automatic fly systems for barns and sheds. No unpleasant odor, no synthetic insecticides, no petroleum distillates. Call Carlos: 803-6450361. www.beflyfree.com; carlos@beflyfree.com.

INSURANCE Betsy Minton, Dietrich Insurance Company, 803. 617. 8353. Providing competitive comprehensive insurance for horses and farms. Excellent professional and personal service always delivered with a smile. www. betsyminton.com. 800 942 4258

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Hutson-Etherredge Company. Insuring Aiken farms since 1876. Your hometown independent insurance agency can customize your equine property coverage by choosing the best company to fit your needs. We are a full service insurance agency. Call Sandi Vogus for a quote! 803-6495141 INSTRUCTION/LESSONS Amy McElroy. USDF Gold Medalist and USEF S judge. Instruction and training at all levels. Visit www.amymcelroy.com or call 803.640-4207.

Aiken Horsemanship Academy. Your naturally inspired adult learning resource! Offering Clinics, Courses, Starting Young Horses, Evaluations, and Lessons. www.JulieRobins.com 803-641-4715.

Hunter/Jumper Trainer with winners at WEF, Indoors and Big Eq Finals.

Will come to you. Cindy Purcell. 803-649-0990.

Jodi Hemry Eventing. Three-Star Eventer offering professional training, sales, boarding, instruction, horse shows, located in the heart of Aiken, SC. 803-640-6691 JodiHemryEventing@gmail.com www.

JodiHemryEventing.com Riding With Reason. Want to improve your riding position, balance & confidence and work in sync with your horse? Try a lesson on the Equisimulator in our purpose built classroom here in Aiken or bring your own horse for a ridden lesson. Agent for Heather Moffett Soft tree saddles.

Yvonne Brookes: info@ridingwithreason.com; www.ridingwithreason. com. 803 842 3114 PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN SERVICES Gary Knoll Photography.com. Commercial, portrait, weddings, advertising.

Pet portraits. Complete wide-format video service. 803.643.9960 410.812.4037. www.garyknollphotography.com REAL ESTATE/ RENTALS Aiken Fine Homes and Land. Specializing in selling or renting homes, farms, land & barns for short or long term leases. 28 years experience in helping people find the property of their dreams, even if it takes building it! Call Barbara Lawrence, 803-439-0778 for honest & realistic answers to your real estate questions.

Aiken Luxury Rentals. Distinctive accommodations for horse & rider in beautiful Aiken, SC. Downtown fully furnished cottages, historic stables.

Executive relocation; corporate housing. Short & long term. www. aikenluxuryrentals.com; info@aikenluxuryrentals.com. 803.648.2804.

Carolina Real Estate Company. Fine homes, estates and horse properties in Aiken, South Carolina. Let us welcome you home to AIKEN, Home of Horses, History & Hospitality! www.carolinahorseproperties.com. (803) 648-8660 Black Sheep Farm. Unfurnished 3 Bed/ 2 bath cottages for long term rental and small furnished loft apartment, small guest house for short term 2 night to seasonal rental, charming pastoral setting yet proximate to downtown Aiken, and Hitchcock Woods. Horses and pets welcome. www.blacksheepfarmaiken.com. 904-234-9596 Sharer Dale, RE/MAX, Tattersall Group. “Where town meets country.” sharerdale@gmail.com. www.sharerdale.remax-carolina.com 803.522.3648.

Suzy Haslup, Meybohm. “Your Aiken Horse Real Estate Specialist.” Buying or selling in the most celebrated equine community in the South. ww.aikenhorserealty.com; 803-215-0153 Tracey Kenworthy Turner, Meybohm. Specializing in marketing & selling Aiken’s horse country properties for 15+ years. www.southernhorsefarms. com. 803-215-4734.

TACK & TACK CLEANING/REPAIR The Saddle Doctor. Saddlery and harness repair. 538 Two Notch Rd. HollyMacSpencer@aol.com. 803.642.5166.

YOGA/FITNESS Aiken Yoga. At Aiken Yoga we are passionate about sharing the benefits that regular Yoga practice has on one’s wellbeing, energy level and state of mind. In addition to Yoga classes, including Yoga for Equestrians, we offer Pilates, Barre and Teacher Certification. Sarah Acord, RN, 116B Pendleton St. Aiken. 803-524-8833, sarah@aikenyoga.com; www. aikenyoga.com for schedule.

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Summer Schooling in Paradise. Paradise Farm schooling horse trials.

photography by Gary Knoll

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Aiken Area Calendar of Events

AUGUST

1 HJ Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, www.stableviewfarm.com 1 Twilight Jumpers. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 1 Yappy Hour. 6-8pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road Aiken. 803.648.6863, www.letlovelive.org 1-5 Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show - HJ Division Week #2. L.M. Tate Showgrounds at the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve, 1500 Laurel Lane, Blowing Rock, NC. brchs.org 3-4 Ed Brown’s 50th Annual IPRA Championship Rodeo. 633 S. Charleston Street, Blacksburg, SC. www.ipra-rodeo.org 3-5 PSJ Back to School HJ Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@fence.org, fence.org 4 CT Schooling Show. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 4-5 PSJ Series HJ Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows.com 4-5 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo. Charles Walker Arena, Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. Ronnie Cunningham: 323.348.4676, ronnieham@ billpickettrodeo.com. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 4-5 GDCTA Show. Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Karen Caverly: 770-713-4025, www.willspark.com 5 August Schooling Horse Trials. Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lara Anderson: 803. 215.6590, fullgallopfarm@yahoo. com. fullgallopfarm.com 8 USEF/USDF “Too Hot To Trot” Dressage Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm. com, www.stableviewfarm.com

August-September 2018

11 ACPC Informational Meeting & Pool Bash. Cedar Creek Community Pool, 2584 Club Drive, Aiken SC. Kim Weinholt: 240.431.0334, horseloversthree@gmail.com. www. aikencountyponyclub.com 11 Eventing Academy Schooling Horse Trials and Schooling Day. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@ stableviewfarm.com, www.stableviewfarm.com 11 CEC HJ Show at Pine Tree. Pine Tree Stables, 1265 Sanders Creek Road, Camden, SC. Lynn Conto: 803.424.1952, conto@bellsouth. net. www.camdenequinecircuit.com 11 Dog Wash. 10am-1pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road Aiken. 803.648.6863, www.letlovelive.org 11 Georgia State Championship Extreme Cowboy Race. Chicopee Wood Agricultural Center, 1855 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville, GA. 352.217.2448, southernobstaclechallenges@gmail. com, www.extremecowboyassociation.com 11 Rolling Hills Saddle Club Show. Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. 770.338.0143, www.willspark. com 11 Atlanta Youth Dressage Challenge. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 11-12 Ride Better Clinic. Paradise Farm, 4069 Wagener Road, Aiken.

Lellie Ward: 803.640.4918, paradisefarmaiken@gmail.com, www. paradisefarmaiken.com 11-12 H. J. Fox Summer Classics I & II. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. Vickie Bryans: 706.342.3029, malonefarmseq@aol.com, www.

HJFoxClassics.com. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 11-12 TallBoots H/J Schooling Day & Derby Cross. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www. carolinahorsepark.com 12 Eventing Academy Schooling Horse Trials. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, www.stableviewfarm.com

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12 TallBoots H/J Series July Show. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www. carolinahorsepark.com 18 Dressage Tests of Choice. Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lara Anderson: 803. 215.6590, fullgallopfarm@yahoo.com. fullgallopfarm.com 18 Just for Fun Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows.com 18 GQHA Novice Show Series. Charles Walker Arena, Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. Debbie Lisabeth: 678.478.7071, dl7693@aol.com. www.gqha.com 18 CT Schooling Show. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 US Hwy 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, www.poplarplacefarm.com 18-19 August USEF/USEA Horse Trials. Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lara Anderson: 803. 215.6590, fullgallopfarm@yahoo.com. www.fullgallopfarm.com 18-19 The Jump Ahead Benefit Show (H,J). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. www.willspark.com 24-25 Annual Sandy Oaks IPRA Pro Rodeo Round-Up. Edgefield, SC. www.ipra-rodeo.org 24-25 Carl Black Classic IPRA Rodeo. Jim Miller Park, Marietta, GA. www.ipra-rodeo.com 24-26 Palmetto Paint Horse Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. Anne Louise Miller: 803.900.1253, millawayranch@windstream.net.

803.486.4938, www.scequinepark.com 25 Brookwood VII All Breed Schooling Show. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 25-26 PSJ Series HJ Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows.com 25-26 Southern Classic (Appaloosa Show). Charles Walker Arena, Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. Dawn Lovern: 404.406.7055, dawn. lovern@hotmail.com, www.georgia-appaloosa.com 25-26 Brownwood Farms (H,J). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Roger Brown: 770.312.4473. www. willspark.com 26 Hunter Pace at Greenspace. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@fence.org, www.fence.org 26 August CT. Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lara Anderson: 803. 215.6590, fullgallopfarm@yahoo.com. www. fullgallopfarm.com 30-Sept 2 Elite Show Jumping (H,J-A). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Vic Russell: 678.858.7192. www. willspark.com 31-Sept 2 Harmon Classics September Spectacular. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@fence.org, www.fence.org

SEPTEMBER

1-2 Chat Hills Horse Trials. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@chatthillseventing.com, www.

Chatthillseventing.com 1-2 GDCTA Labor Day Classic I & II. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 2 Chat Hills Hunter Pace. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@chatthillseventing.com, www.

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2 Middleton Place Hounds Hunter Pace. Bailey’s Field, Middleton Place, Charleston, SC. Jan Taylor: 843.607.7224, jantaylor320@ gmail.com, www.middletonplacehounds.com 5 HJ Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, www.stableviewfarm.com 5 Yappy Hour. 6-8pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road Aiken. 803.648.6863, www.letlovelive.org 7 SC NBHA State Show. T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena, 1101 West Queen Street, Pendleton, SC. Janelle Green: 864.314.4766, sthrnroseranch@aol.com, www.scnbha.com 7-9 Upper South Carolina State Fair. Highway 123, Greenville, SC. www.ipra-rodeo.com 7-9 George Morris Clinic. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. Sherry Pace: 803.420.2633, pacemap@aol.com. 803.486.4938, www.scequinepark.com 8 Dressage and CT at The Vista. Old Torey Trail. www. schoolthevista.com 8 Dog Wash. 10am-1pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road Aiken. 803.648.6863, www.letlovelive.org 8 Olde Milton Horse Show (HJ-A/B). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Barb Goda: 770.475.1244. www. willspark.com 8 Atlanta Youth Dressage Challenge. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 8 Five Points Horse Trials. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www.carolinahorsepark.com 8 FRC Schooling Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@ fence.org, www.fence.org 8 Southeast Children’s Home Hunter Pace Benefit. Scotsgrove Farm, Inman, SC. www.wchpace.org 8-9 Newton County Saddle Club Open Horse Show. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 8-9 USEF/USDF Dressage Show. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 Us Highway 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, www.poplarplacefarm. com 11-23 World Equestrian Games. Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, www.tryon.com 12 Stable View Schooling Dressage Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, www.stableviewfarm.com 12-23 USPA Northrup Knox Cup (12-Goal) Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Hotline: 803.644.7706. www.newbridgepolo.com 14-16 Camden Fall Classic. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. Janet Black: 828.606.0708, threesprings@windstream.net. 803.486.4938, www.scequinepark. com 15 WHES Schooling Day. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www.carolinahorsepark.com 15 Historic Stables Experience: Aiken Training Track. 9-11:15am.

Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Place, Aiken. 803.642.7631, halloffame@cityofaikensc.gov, www.aikenracinghalloffame.com 15 Belle Meade Hunter Pace. Belle Meade Hunt, Thompson, GA. Angela Smith: 706.683.3104, ke4nnr@classicsouth.net, www. bellemeadehunt.com 15-16 Horseshow Ventures(HJ). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Morgan Taylor: 770.827.0175. www.willspark.com 15-16 GHF/Massey Ferguson Fall Dressage Show. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com

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August-September 2018

15-16 H. J. Fox Autumn Classics I & II. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 15-16 Ride Better Clinic. Paradise Farm, 4069 Wagener Road, Aiken.

Lellie Ward: 803.640.4918, paradisefarmaiken@gmail.com, www. paradisefarmaiken.com 15-16 NC AQHA Ride. Broyhill Equestrian Preserve, 1500 Laurel Lane, Blowing Rock, NC. brchs.org 16 October Schooling Horse Trials. Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lara Anderson: 803. 215.6590, fullgallopfarm@yahoo. com. www.Fullgallopfarm.com 16 WHES September Horse Trials. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www. carolinahorsepark.com 19-22 Southeastern Charity Horse Show. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 19-30 Alan Corey Cup 4 Goal. Aiken Polo Club, Whitney Field, 420 Mead Avenue, Aiken. Hotline: 803.643.3611, www.aikenpolo.org 19-Oct 7 Copa de Plata (8-Goal) Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Hotline: 803.644.7706. www. newbridgepolo.com 22 CEC Tally Ho HJ Show. Tally Ho Stables, 3962 Lawson Grove Road, Timmonsville, SC. Katrina Hutto: 843.319.9286, Katstallyho@yahoo.com 22 SOCA SE Regional Championship Extreme Cowboy Race.

Green River Farms, Gaffney, SC. Tracy Pinson: 352. 217.2448, www.extremecowboyassociation.com 22 GDCTA Schooling Show. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 Us Highway 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, www.poplarplacefarm.com 22-23 PSJ Mullet Hall Fall Classic. Muller Hall Equestrian Center, Johns Island, SC. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows.com 22-23 Cheryl & Co. (HJ). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Cheryl Sims: 404.518.9198. www.willspark. com 26-30 Tryon Fall I AA Level 6. Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, www.tryon.com 26-Oct 14 USPA National Copper Cup (12-Goal) Tournament.

New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Hotline: 803.644.7706. www.newbridgepolo.com 28-29 Outlaws Championship Rodeo. Antioch Community Center, 1591 Bishopville Highway, Camden, SC. www.ipra-rodeo.com 28-29 61st Annual Southern Championship Charity Show. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 28-30 USEA/USEF CIC*** Oktoberfest Horse Trials. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm. com, www.stableviewfarm.com 28-30 Timberland CT and HDT. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www. carolinahorsepark.com 28-Oct 14 USPA Governor’s Cup 6 Goal (6 periods). Aiken Polo Club, Whitney Field, 420 Mead Avenue, Aiken. Hotline: 803.643.3611, www.aikenpolo.org 29 Just for Fun Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows.com 29 FENCE Open Horse Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@fence.org, www.fence.org 29 TR&HC XC Schooling. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@ fence.org, www.fence.org

August-September 2018

29-30 Chat Hills Schooling Show Championships. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, www.Chatthillseventing.com 29-30 Newton County Saddle Club Open Horse Show. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 29-30 Cheryl & Co Fall Festival Horse Show. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 30 Windridge Hunter Pace. Windridge Farm, 882 Goodes Creek Church Road, Mooresboro, NC. www.wchpace.org

OCTOBER

1 Playing Fore the Pets. Woodside Plantation Country Club, 1000 Woodside Plantation Dr, Aiken. Sandy and Ross Staiger: 603.533.4111, golf@fotasaiken.org, www.fotasaiken.org 3 HJ Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, www.stableviewfarm.com 3 Yappy Hour. 6-8pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road Aiken. 803.648.6863, www.letlovelive.org 3-7 Tryon Fall II CSI 2* AA Level 6. Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, www.tryon.com 5 Rolling Hills Saddle Club Show. Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. 770.338.0143, www.willspark. com 5-21 USPA Officer’s Cup 6 Goal (6 periods). Aiken Polo Club, Whitney Field, 420 Mead Avenue, Aiken. Hotline: 803.643.3611, www.aikenpolo.org 6 Atlanta Youth Dressage Challenge. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 6-7 PSJ Oktoberfest. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows. com 6-7 Horse Show Ventures - The Southeastern Hunter/Jumper Series.

Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 7-13 Aiken Women’s Challenge A & B Flights. Aiken Polo Club, Whitney Field, 420 Mead Avenue, Aiken. Hotline: 803.643.3611, www.aikenpolo.org 10 Stable View Schooling Dressage Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, www.stableviewfarm.com 10-14 Tryon Fall III CSI 3* AA Level 6. Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, www.tryon.com 10-28 USPA Presidents Cup (8-Goal) Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Hotline: 803.644.7706. www.newbridgepolo.com 12-13 Carl Black Classic IPRA Rodeo. Jim Miller Park, Marietta, GA. www.ipra-rodeo.com 12-13 TIP Mustang Challenge. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing, Fairburn, GA. Rebecca Bowman: 859.489.8141, www. mustangheritagefoundation.org 12-13 CCC Horse Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@ fence.org, www.fence.org 12-14 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 3 Championship and Atlanta National Fall Dressage. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com

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12-14 SCPEA Rodney Ready Memorial Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. Ashleigh Griffith: 803.730.0262. 803.486.4938, www.scequinepark.com 13 Dog Wash. 10am-1pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road Aiken. 803.648.6863, www.letlovelive.org 13 WHES Schooling Day. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www.carolinahorsepark.com 13 Cowboy Up Georgia. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing, Fairburn, GA. Rebecca Bowman: 859.489.8141, www.extremecowboyassociation. com 13 Backstretch Experience: Behind the Scenes at the Aiken Training Track. 9-11:15am. Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Place, Aiken. 803.642.7631, halloffame@cityofaikensc.gov, www. aikenracinghalloffame.com 13-14 PSJ Aiken Fall Classic. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows.com 13-14 Elite Show Jumping (H,J-A). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Vic Russell: 678.858.7192. www.

willspark.com 13-14 Paradise Farm Horse Trials. Paradise Farm, 4069 Wagener Road, Aiken. Lellie Ward: 803.640.4918, paradisefarmaiken@gmail. com, www.paradisefarmaiken.com 14 WHES October Horse Trials. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www.carolinahorsepark.com 17-21 Tryon Fall IV CSI 5* AA Level 6. Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, www.tryon.com 17-28 USPA Player’s Cup 4 Goal. Aiken Polo Club, Whitney Field, 420 Mead Avenue, Aiken. Hotline: 803.643.3611, www.aikenpolo. org 17-Nov 4 USPA Bronze Trophy (12-Goal) Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Hotline: 803.644.7706. www.newbridgepolo.com 19-21 Four Beats For Pleasure. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. Shannon Gibbs: 919.255.0429, shgibbs@gmail.com. 803.486.4938, www. scequinepark.com

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20 Just for Fun Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows.com 20 GDCTA Schooling Show. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 Us Highway 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, www.poplarplacefarm.com 20-21 Brownwood Farms (H,J). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Roger Brown: 770.312.4473. www. willspark.com 20-21 H. J. Fox Halloween Classics I & II. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 20-21 TR&HC Horse Trials. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@fence.org, www.fence.org 24-Nov 4 Aiken Fall Cup 2 Goal. Aiken Polo Club, Whitney Field, 420 Mead Avenue, Aiken. Hotline: 803.643.3611, www.aikenpolo. org 24-28 Tryon Fall V CSI 3* AA Level 6. Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, www.tryon.com 26-27 SC Walking Horse Championship. T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena, 1101 West Queen Street, Pendleton, SC. Keels Kirby: 843.598.0535, www.scwha.com 26-28 BRHJA Classic. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828-859-9021, horseshow@ fence.org, www.fence.org 26-28 BRHJA Classic. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 803.649.3505, www.psjshows. com 26-28 Lendon Gray’s Dressage4Kids & Atlanta Youth Festival.

Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www.georgiahorsepark.com 26-28 SCQHA Spooktacular. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. Billy Prather: 803.669.1325, bpquarterhorse@bellsouth.net. 803.486.4938, www. scequinepark.com 27 27th Running of the Aiken Fall Steeplechase. Aiken Steeplechase Association, 538 Two Notch Road, SE. Aiken. 803.648.9641, info@ aikensteeplechase.com, www.aikensteeplechase.com 27 CEC Springdale HJ Show. Pine Tree Stables, 1265 Sanders Creek Road, Camden, SC. Candi Cocks: 803.243.4417, springdale47@ gmail.com 27 Tall Boots HJ Schooling Day and Derby Cross. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www. carolinahorsepark.com 27-28 Chat Hills Horse Trials. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@chatthillseventing.com, www.

Chatthillseventing.com 27-28 Brownwood Farms (H,J). Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11925 Wills Rd, Alpharetta, GA. Roger Brown: 770.312.4473. www. willspark.com 27-28 Athens Area Hunter/Jumper Association Fall Classic and 2018 Medal Finals. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, www. georgiahorsepark.com 27-28 Aiken Hunter Trials. Paradise Farm, 4069 Wagener Road, Aiken. Lellie Ward: 803.640.4918, paradisefarmaiken@gmail.com, www.paradisefarmaiken.com 28 Tall Boots HJ Series Show. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, www.carolinahorsepark.com 28 October Open Show and CT. Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lara Anderson: 803. 215.6590, fullgallopfarm@yahoo.com. www.fullgallopfarm.com 29-Nov 3 NBHA World Championships. Georgia National Fairgrounds, 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry, GA. 478.987.3247,

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August-September 2018

Business Cards

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August-September 2018

MAILING ADDRESS: The Aiken Horse, P.O. Box 332, Montmorenci, SC 29839 EMAIL: theAikenHorse@gmail.com We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

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Advertiser

Aiken Horsemanship Academy Aiken County Farm Supply Aiken Fine Homes and Land Aiken Luxury Rentals Aiken Pet Fitness Aiken Polo Club Aiken Saddlery, Inc. Aiken Tack Exchange Aiken WCT Qualifier Attwood Equestrian Surfaces Auto Tech Barnware Be Fly Free Bridlewood Carolina Real Estate Company Carolina Real Estate Company CHAPS DFG Stables Downtown Dog Earthmuffin Spa Epona Equine Divine Equine Rescue of Aiken Estancia La Victoria Estrella Equine Fencing Solutions FOTAS Aiken Foy Insurance Gary Knoll Photography Great Oak ATRC Ina Ginsberg Jensen Communities

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Keller Williams- Gutierrez Larlee Construction Lightning Protection Systems Marrinson Stables Meybohm RE (Sullivan/Turner) Meybohm RE Haslup Meybohm RE Vaillancourt Meybohm RE Vaillancourt Meybohm Realtors Stinson Morton Buildings New Bridge Polo Club Oak Manor Saddlery Palmetto Feed Exchange Paradise Farm Patty Merli Saddles Progressive Show Jumping, Inc Red Horse Stable ReMax -S.Dale Retired Racehorse Project Seminole Feeds Shane Doyle Shelter Pet Project South Carolina Equine Park South Carolina Quarter Horse Southern Equine Service Southern States Cooperative SPCA Albrecht Center Stable View Farm, LLC Sweet PDZ (PDZ Co. LLC) The Tack Room Three Runs Plantation Tod’s Hill/ReMax

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August-September 2018

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