October-November 2020 The Aiken Horse

Volume 16 • Number 2 •

October-November 2020

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SuzyHaslup_TAH_Sept2019.qxp_Layout 1 4/5/20 5:46 PM Page 1

JOHNSTON FARM $899,000 Accredited Land Consultant An Accredited Land Consultant, Suzy achieved the title of Leading Sales Agent in 2013, 2015 & 2016.

Her 2018 & 2019 achievements include Meybohm’s “Best of the Best” & President’s Club, as well as 2018 & 2019 RLI APEX award for top producing land real estate agents.

Rare opportunity to own a professional equestrian property with lush coastal turnout fields twenty minutes from Aiken. Custom 4 BR/3.5 bath light filled home with heart pine floors, cathedral ceiling, updated kitchen, fireplace, new workout room, and views of your horses grazing. This 87A property includes a pond, 14-stall training barn with storage and grooming/wash stalls, paddocks, run-ins, derby jump field, 190 x 100 sand arena, round pen, free jumping chute, large turnout fields & mobile home. 2 additional 4-stall barns. More acreage is available.

KATYDID FARM

$1.1 MILLION

KINGS RIDGE

$690,000

BUTTON DOWN FARM $676,500

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Prepared by: Aiken County Government 10/22/2018 JB

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Priced at $275,000 and $320,000, these lots provide an exceptional opportunity to own a farm Parcel Map bordering the 2200-acre Hitchcock Woods offering 70 miles of riding trails open to the public year round. Lots are cleared and ready for home and barn, paved cul-de-sac, underground utilities with city services and no HOA. Possible owner financing and lots may be combined. Direct access to trails of the Woods.

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Spectacular Aiken Horse District brick manor house renovated in 1999 with hardwood floors, commercial grade kitchen, fireplaces, 2 master suites, art/workout studio, 4 stall brick barn, 5.43 A. & newly sided guest house. Organically managed pasture & grounds with irrigated pastures, new board fencing & run-in sheds.

Easy access to Hitchcock Woods on the clay roads.

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COKER SPRINGS

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Bridle Creek farm has hardiplank 3 BR /2 BA home on 12.48 A completely fenced w/no climb wire & top board, 4 paddocks, large turnout field, 4 stall barn w/tack-room, feed room, wash stall, in/out stalls & fabulous 80 X 200 irrigated synthetic footing dressage ring.Extensive community trails, new jump & dressage ring & recreation center.

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$1.99 MILLION

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FOX HALL

Situated on the water in gated King’s Ridge, this 3 BR/2BA brick French Country home boasts a Stephen Fuller floor plan featured in Southern Living. Inside are vaulted ceilings, hardwood and porcelain floors, fireplace, attached 2+ car garage, patio, and screened porch overlooking the lake.

The 7-acre property has spectacular views, 4-board fencing, wonderful plantings, and room for horses!

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Former home to international driving competitions, this farm is suitable for any equestrian. Property has over 112 A w/hay fields, pastures, 2 center aisle barns (18 stalls), 5 run-in sheds, equipment shed & hay barn. Stickbuilt home w/3 BR/2 BA, hardwood floors & fireplace.

Additional contiguous 105 A with trails available.

Sellers will consider subdividing.

Aiken County IT / GeoServices

Copyright (C) Aiken County Government Aiken County makes no warranty, representation or guaranty as to the content, sequence, accuracy or timeliness of the database information provided herein. Users of this data are hereby notified that public information sources should be consulted for verification of the information contained on these maps. Aiken County assumes no liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the information provided regardless of how caused, OR, for any decision made or action taken or not taken by any person in reliance upon any information or data furnished herein.

Flutterby Acre Farm is steps away from Hitchcock Woods for you, your horses and dogs!

Renovated circa 1932 5 BR/3 BA cedar shake home on 1 acre w/paddocks & 4 stall barn.

Random width tobacco barn heart pine floors downstairs with 9’ & 10’ ceilings, deep baseboards, fireplaces, upstairs with huge bonus/ studio with built ins & 3 additional bedrooms.

Screened porch & kitchen lead to large stamped concrete patio w/waterfall feature. Prime location.

www.AikenHorseRealty.com (803) 215-0153 • suzy.haslup@gmail.com October-November 2020

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142+ ACRE RANCH in EDGEFIELD, SC

CALICO COTTAGE - 4.2 AC. on HITCHCOCK WOODS

25 MooreS road | $3.1 Million

504 berrie road | $1,700,000

MALLETT HILL – 12.59 AC. W/HOME, SHOP & BARN

CLOSE to DOWNTOWN AIKEN – 24+ AC. HORSE FARM

BIG TREE FARM - a FARM For ANY DISCIPLINE

110 Fox lea trail | $689,000

331 vintage vale road | $434,000

490 big tree road | $769,000

HISTORIC HOME & STABLE in HORSE DISTRICT

8.64 acreS, 8-Stall center-aiSle barn, great turnout, StePS to HorSe Park renovated HoMe & gueSt HouSe, 6 br & 4½ batHS, SaltWater gunite Pool

1354 audubon | $2.845 Million

3 Stall barn, WorkSHoP & detacHed 2-car garage graciouS 3 br, 2 ½ batH HoMe W/Privacy & vieWS!

10-Stall Morton Stable, PeriMeter Fencing, PaSture in tiFton 85 berMuda 3 cuStoM HoMeS, 1500 SF entertainMent area, gueSt aPartMent

6 Stall barn, WorkSHoP & 3-bay Pole barn 2 bedrooM reSidence attacHed to tHe barn & rv Hook uP

eMbrace HiStory & liFe on tHe WoodS! Zoned For HorSeS. WilliS irvin deSign, 7 bedrooMS, 5.5 batHS, gunite Pool & gardenS.

58+ acreS, 15-Stall barn, ligHted arena, Polo or JuMP Field, PaSture 2 br, 2 batH living QuarterS, SeParate oFFice, 3+ car garage/WorkSHoP

CHARM & STYLE - CLOSE to AIKEN HORSE PARK

AIKEN’S SOUTH SIDE – 5 ACRE HORSE FARM

SERENITY FOUND on 50 ACRES in PEACH COUNTRY

197 Hickory | $517,000

2075 gray Mare HolloW | $425,000

15 reynoldS drive | noW $499,000

in MidtoWn near boarding StableS, HorSe diStrict & HitcHcock WoodS Fully renovated WitH 3 bedrooMS & 3 batHS on nearly an acre

LANE’S END in HOPELAND FARMS

6 acre Parcel - idyllic Setting For Hobby FarM or Private retreat eaSy acceSS to riding trailS; MinuteS to tack StoreS, vetS & training venueS

6 acreS on iMPleMent road | $175,000

3 Stall barn, tack/Feed rM. lovely PaStureS & vieWS! 3 bedrooM, 2 ½ batH tidy HoMe W/2-car & Work SHoP

133+ ACRES WitH 2 PONDS in EDGEFIELD, SC

irrigated Hay FieldS in eStabliSHed tiFton 85 berMuda PeriMeter Fencing, level acreage ideal For Stick & ball or JuMP Field

MooreS road in edgeField | $995,000

SPaniSH inSPired HoMe WitH unForgettable vieWS & aMbiance Stunning oak-lined drive, indoor Pool, 18 acre Pond & boatHouSe

FOX HOLLOW on tHe LAKE

enJoy WaterFront living coMbined WitH tHe eQueStrian liFeStyle aMenitieS include riding trailS, dreSSage & JuMP arenaS & xc courSe

5+ acre ParcelS on lake ForeSt dr. | $90,540 & $91,080

Horse Ready Land for Sale barrington FarMS - ParcelS WitH trail acceSS 5+ to 24+ acreS - $50,895 - $158,650 8 acreS in bridle creek eQueStrian - $137,000 tod’S Hill - 19 acreS - Pond & Partially Fenced - $235,000

Cissie Sullivan

leWiS lane aSSociation ParcelS WitH trail acceSS

3.5 acreS WitH Pond vieWS - $77,900 6+ acreS W/Pond on old dibble - $130,000 11 Fenced acreS - HigH Flat FarM - $212,800 additional land available

23+ acreS on linler lane cloSe to toWn $177,700 Wild oakS lane – 2.31 ac lot $79,000 Wild oakS lane – 3.58 ac lot $78,000

Tracey Turner

803-998-0198 | SullivanTurnerTeam.com October-November 2020

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Aiken

The

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Aiken’s Horse Publication

P.O. Box 332 • Montmorenci, SC 29839-0332 • 803.643.9960 • TheAikenHorse.com • TheAikenHorse@gmail.com Time Dated Material • Periodicals • Volume 16 • Number 2

W

elcome to the October-November 2020 edition of The Aiken Horse. This is officially the second issue in our 16th year of publication. It is also the 15th anniversary of our very first issue, which we put out in October 2005. On the one hand, it seems like not that long ago that a small group of horse people met in the newly christened Aiken Horse office on my farm to discuss plans for the paper. On the other hand, 2005 seems light years away, especially now in the midst of the 2020 pandemic.

That first issue devoted a lot of space to polo, which was experiencing a Renaissance here in Aiken, with high goal tournaments at New Bridge Polo Club, and 24 teams vying to win the Aiken Polo Club 8-goal. The first issue also had an article about equestrian real estate developments, then a new hot trend, as well as combined driving, which was in a growth phase thanks to the Katydid Combined Driveing Event in Windsor. We also ran our very first Aiken Hunt Directory, intended to provide some guidance to people who were interested in following the hounds but did not know who to call. We’ve kept that tradition up every year since – you can find our 2020 Hunt Directory in Section Two. What has changed today? Polo is no longer the dominant sport on the fall calendar, although action is likely to grow again in the coming years since we have a fresh generation of young players, as well as a number of Aiken newcomers with solid polo credentials. Eventing, which was picking up steam in 2005, is now a major Aiken sport, with regular competitions all year round, making the area a home base for many top professionals.

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Our horse show scene has exploded, with at least three different venues offering regular USEF recognized hunterjumper shows. The dressage world is much bigger too: in 2005 we had many people who practiced the art, but we did not have any recognized shows yet – that sure has changed. The combined driving world has changed, too. Although the population of our driving enthusiasts has grown and there are more farms offering clinics and competitions now than there were then, we have unfortunately lost the Katydid CDE, since Katydid Farm in Windsor is currently for sale. (Katydid would have moved to the Tryon International Equestrian Center last spring, if not for COVID-19.)

Our paper has changed a lot too. The first one was a single section and just 28 pages long. We went to two sections in our second issue, and were up to three by our second year. There is so much to write about Aiken’s horses, and we have so many supportive and enthusiastic advertisers, it seems like we’ll remain a pretty big paper for the foreseeable future.

We hope you enjoy this issue. In addition to our annual hunt directory, we also have our usual articles and columns, including Ask the Judge, in which the dressage judge Amy McElroy answers readers’ questions about showing, and Secret Lives of Horses, profiling a senior horse in Aiken, this time about Connery, an accomplished event horse. In the first section, we also have an article about the life-size fiberglass horses that decorate our city: if you have always wondered how they got there, your questions will be answered. Thanks to our writer Nancy Johnson for doing the story and to Shelly Schmidt for supplying pictures from the “Horseplay” event back in the early 2000s.

As ever, if you know something we should know, or have an idea for a story, please reach out to us via email and we will see what we can do. We want to be your horse newspaper.

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

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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 All contents Copyright 2020 The Aiken Horse

Aiken

The

Horse

Aiken’s Horse Publication

Pam Gleason Editor & Publisher

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.

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SECTION 9 16 20 26

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News & Notes Oktoberfest at Stable View Horseplay Horses Ask the Judge

Our cover features Elisabeth Halliday Sharp winning the FEI CCI **** at Stable View Oktoberfest.

Photography by Pam Gleason

SECTION 36 40 44 48 52

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Aiken Hounds Huntsman Hilltop Farm Highfields Jumpers Secret Lives Hunt Directory

PSJ Jumpers at Highfields Event Center.

Photography by Gary Knoll

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SECTION

The 12 Goal Northrup Knox Final at New Bridge Polo Club.

Trevor Niznik on the ball with Justin Pimsner on defense.

Photography by Gary Knoll

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59 60 62 65 66 68 71 78

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Tales of Rescue Horses and the Law Aiken Steeplechase Classifieds Directory Northrup Knox 12 Goal Final Calendar Index of Advertisers

October-November 2020

News and Notes

By Pam Gleason

Hot Properties

Economic downturn? What economic downturn? That seems to be the sentiment of the realtors who specialize in Aiken horse properties. While many segments of the U.S. economy are feeling strained under the twin disasters of the COVID-19 crisis and its associated shutdowns, the real estate market is partying like it was 2019.

This is true in hot markets across the country, not just in Aiken. The real estate boom is fueled by several factors, some economic and some cultural. On the economic side, the stock market has been strong, with the result that many people with investments feel like it might be a good time to take some profits and put their money into something more tangible and enjoyable.

Coupled with extremely low interest rates, this factor would probably be enough to spur growth in the real estate market with or without COVID. But COVID has created additional cultural incentives to buy. Changes wrought by the Corona virus have made the home much more important. If there are lockdowns, most people would rather be stationed on a large comfortable property than confined to a cramped apartment. Additionally, many people who normally go to an office to work have been working from home. It seems likely that the work-from-home model is going to continue to be important even after the pandemic is over now that many businesses and workers have had a chance to experience its benefits. All of these factors have conspired to make Aiken a very desirable market, especially for horse people. People who might have been considering moving here from an urban area have decided that now is the time.

After all, if you might be confined to your home, what better place to be than Aiken?

“Everything is selling,” says Melissa Major, who is the broker in charge at the Carolina Company in Aiken. “Not just homes, but everything from land to high end properties are selling. Farms priced in that sweet spot between $350,000 and $500,000 are highly sought after, while residential properties around $150K–$250K are even getting multiple offers on them the first day they are listed.”

David Stinson, a broker associate at Keller Williams Realty, agrees. “The real estate market is strong because of low interest rates and the lack of better investments right now.

Properties are moving quickly if they are priced well and in good locations.”

So does this mean it’s now a sellers’ market here in Aiken? Melissa and David both say yes. Many realtors are scrambling to find

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new listings and are encouraging people who have been thinking about selling their farms and homes to put them on the market now while buyers are eager. Although inventory in Aiken’s equestrian sector is low at the moment, there still is a lot of nice horsefriendly property out there – it’s just not on the market yet.

Training at Sporting Days

Sporting Days Farm on Route 78 has a new training area specifically created for extremely green horses, and/or riders who are not confident jumping full sized fences on a cross country course. The new “play area” includes scaled down show jumps, logs of various sizes and three different sizes of ditches and banks, perfect for introducing potentially scary obstacles to the most inexperienced horses.

Joannah Hall Glass, who owns Sporting Days, says she decided to build this new training area because she and several of her friends have recently adopted young off the track Thoroughbreds and wanted to give them a gentle introduction to cross country jumping. “We all have 3, 4 and 5 year old horses, and some of us might not be as bold as we once were,” she says.

The play area was created by John Williams, a licensed FEI course designer who rode on the US eventing team in the 1990s and early 2000s. Williams has designed upper level cross

country courses all over the world, including the course for the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. But he was the right person to design this very low level course because he has a special interest in (and understanding of ) young horses. When he was competing, it was often on horses that he had started himself, including Carrick, whom he rode in the 2002 World Equestrian Games (Gold medal) and 2004 Olympics (Bronze medal.)

If you are interested in schooling in the play area, the cost is $35 per horse. COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and USEF cross country rules are in place. Text Joannah for details, questions, or reservations: 803-2262024.

Our Pandemic Fall

It’s October, seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s still not clear whether things are getting better or worse or neither. One thing that is certain is that many of our usual equestrian activities have been affected, some more severely than others.

The most severely affected events are those that have been canceled. Those cancellations started in March, and are continuing at least through this fall. One particularly disappointing cancellation was the Aiken Horse Show in the Woods, which was supposed to be held April 3-5, but was postponed to September 25-27, and then reluctantly called off altogether. Other notable cancellations include the Aiken Spring Steeplechase, which is the city’s most popular equestrian attraction, and then the Fall Steeplechase, which should have been held the last weekend in October.

Thanksgiving will be different this year because there will be no Blessing of the Hounds at Memorial Gate in the Hitchcock Woods. Taking a stroll into the Woods to view the spectacle of the Thanksgiving Hunt’s first formal outing is a time-honored tradition for many Aikenites. But this year they will have to find a different activity: there will be no family get-togethers under the pines, no jostling for an attempt to pat a hound over the Memorial Gate brick wall. Those who are members of Aiken’s various hunts will be glad to know that hunting itself will be mostly unaffected – horses and hounds will go out on their usual schedules at the various hunts. (Riding horses, even in company, is considered a low risk activity as far as the virus is concerned.)

However, the social aspect of foxhunting will be altered. Hunt breakfasts, usually held at private homes, may be moved to larger, more public facilities, and may be staged in outdoor-type settings. Other traditional social events may be changed or canceled – at some regional hunts the Tally-Ho wagons that often follow the field have been discontinued this year. If you have any specific questions about the hunt, the hunt secretary will probably be

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able to answer them. (For a complete listing of local contact names and numbers, please consult our hunt directory in Section Two.) Other events that have been changed but not halted include various horse shows and eventing competitions. Those that are operating under USEF rules have some stringent COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place. These include mandatory masks for anyone not on a horse and temperature checks for anyone coming onto the grounds, along with a brief quiz about any suspicious health symptoms. Social distancing is also required, and some horse show facilities here and across

outdoor that is reasonably expected to involve a large number of people at a single indoor or outdoor location.” According to an executive order signed by South Carolina Governor McMaster on August 2, gatherings are to be limited to 50% of the location’s capacity or 250 persons, whichever is less. In order to hold a big horse show or event with over 250 people in attendance, organizers need to apply for approval from the State via an online application that asks various questions about the proposed event’s COVID strategy.

The USEF has published a 32page COVID-19 Action Plan that

the nation have employed people to go around making sure that masks are on and no one is getting too close and friendly. Given the current drama surrounding such seemingly simple precautions such as wearing a mask, it is not surprising that these COVID compliance agents have sometimes found their jobs to be less than totally pleasant.

Larger equestrian events have to follow two sets of rules: one set is promulgated by the USEF and the second by the State of South Carolina, which is officially under a state of emergency. Although these regulations are constantly changing, currently the State defines a “gathering” as an event “indoor or

includes requirements and best practice recommendations for holding horse events during the pandemic. This document is detailed and thorough, and includes such things as a “Mass Gathering Sports Risk Assessment Tool” created by the World Health Organization. There are also statespecific waivers that participants must sign, forms for notifying all the participants in the show if someone there tests positive, and a full page of links to fact sheets and planning recommendations. In short, the USEF takes the disease very seriously, and, as the parent organization for many equestrian sports, it is committed to ensuring that horse shows can

go on and do so safely.

So for large events and USEF events there are some clear rules in place. How strictly they are being followed, however, depends greatly on the organizer. Are spectators allowed? In some places yes; in others no. Is everyone wearing a mask at all times? Yes for some, no for others. So if you are planning to show, expect to alter your routine. If you want to watch your friend or your grandson show, make sure ahead of time that you won’t be turned away at the gate. In any case, be prepared to wear a mask and have a nurse point a remote thermometer at your forehead.

Outside of USEF events, however, there is often an anything goes attitude.

The United States Polo Association sent club delegates a COVID-19 compliance document over the summer, providing social distancing, sanitation and masking recommendations that many clubs have adopted. In some places, notably in California, polo players and support staff have been required to submit to regular COVID-19 tests and temperature checks as a condition of their participation, creating a relatively safe community similar to those formed by other professional sports leagues.

In others, COVID precautions have been treated with less seriousness by players, spectators and fans. Generally speaking, the clubs have been left to enforce regulations on their own, and how much they do so varies widely with local rules and attitudes. In Aiken, polo is one place where COVID restrictions are not much in evidence. The clubs have provided handwashing stations and hand sanitizer, spread out the tables and chairs in their viewing areas and recommended masking and social distancing. But those coming from the restrictive atmosphere of a horse show at Bruce’s Field to a tournament final at one of Aiken’s polo clubs might be in for a bit of culture shock.

Institutionally, the USPA made some COVID changes by holding its annual fall meetings virtually this year. The meetings Continued on Page 24

We offer a wide range of fencing, including equestrian properties and residential privacy fencing.

Run in and storage sheds are also available.

Free estimates and design assistance Contact John at (803) 292-5161 10

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center spread

Four Star action at the Stable View Oktoberfest FEI CCI-S

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Photography by Pam Gleason and Gary Knoll

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The Aiken Horse

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Exclusive Clothing, Gifts and Sporting Art 126 Laurens Street SW, Aiken, SC 29801

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October-November 2020

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Horseplay Horses Aiken Icons

By Nancy Johnson Photograohy by Shelly Schmidt & Gary Knoll

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list of Aiken’s most iconic features would surely include the Hitchcock Woods, Hopeland Gardens, the canopy of live oaks on South Boundary, The Willcox, and, of course, the colorful assortment of painted horses scattered about town. But, unless you have lived in Aiken for some time, you may not know the story behind these life-size fiberglass horses, an incredible project called Horseplay.

“I love that there is still interest in Horseplay!” Anne Campbell says of the fundraising project, which spanned fall 2002 to spring 2004.

Anne was the honorary chairperson of Horseplay and an enthusiastic promoter. “It was a great project and a very successful endeavor that certainly has brought the town of Aiken a lot of pleasure over all these years.”

Inspired by Saratoga Horses

Anne says the inspiration for Horseplay came from the painted fiberglass horse statues that adorn the city of Saratoga Springs, New York. Anne and her late husband Cot Campbell, who was the president of the horse racing syndicate Dogwood Stable, spent time in Saratoga every summer.

“When I first saw the horses out in the street I thought, oh my gosh, this is an idea whose time has come for Aiken. We have the parkways, of course, and so much traffic downtown,” she says. “There were lots of places to put them where pedestrian traffic would see and enjoy them.”

She notes that other equestrian locales such as Lexington, Kentucky and Ocala, Florida have hosted similar projects where artists were engaged to paint fiberglass horses that are displayed around the town.

Anne’s first step was to enlist Bill Reynolds as the steering committee chairman. Although fairly new to Aiken at the time, Bill, a retired businessman and a board member of the Aiken Center for the Arts,

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was already known for getting things done. “I was the mastermind and visionary, but Bill handled the logistics and did all the work,” says Anne.

“First, we put together a committee, then talked to the mayor and got approval.”

Step by Step

“Anne told me about her idea for the project and how the concept was popular at the time; she thought it could be a successful fundraiser in Aiken,” Bill says. “We got the Aiken Center for the Arts (ACA) and United Way together in collaboration and told them we honestly did not know what it would be, but we were willing to give it a try.” It was agreed that Horseplay would be created to promote the arts in Aiken and that the proceeds would be used to set up a scholarship fund at ACA to subsidize art classes for seniors.

“We started out strictly as a trial balloon. We bought one of the fiberglass horses completely blank, brought it in and had some USC Aiken students paint it, creating our prototype,” Bill explains. They displayed the painted horse at the ACA and invited potential sponsors to see it and to hear about the concept. The idea was to recruit local businesses to sponsor the cost of a blank fiberglass horse, hire a local artist to paint it, and then sell all the horses at a gala auction.

“We didn’t know if we’d sell five of them or maybe ten, but it ended up that it was such a great concept, we got 30 sponsors at $3,000 a horse,” Bill says. Most of the sponsors were businesses, but a few individuals also stepped up to the plate. Bill says that this initial part of the project, all the research, creating the prototype, and securing sponsors, took about a year.

Artists Get On Board

The next step was procuring the horses and having them painted. Thirty blank fiberglass horses were ordered from a company in New Mexico.

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Bill recalls that the horses were stored in a local warehouse while artists were enlisted to paint them.

“We learned by reviewing other similar programs that you have to give the artists some parameters. As the sponsors were paying $3,000, it was important that they knew what they were putting their name on,” Bill

plans for Horseplay. They explain that the name was intended to convey that it was a fun, lighthearted event. “The community immediately fell in love with it!” Bill says with a grin.

Prior to sending the horses out to be painted, research and preparation were once again key. “I talked to numerous paint companies and automobile painting shops,” recalls Bill. “There was a specific paint that the artists had to use, and then a protective finish.”

Finally, after the artists’ work was complete, all 30 horses were taken to a local auto body shop to have them covered in a durable clear coat spray to protect them from ultraviolet rays and rain.

Community Awaits Unveiling

explains. Bill and Anne put out a call for artists and received about 90 applications. “We had the artists include with their application a sketch of their design idea. We hung all the sketches up on the wall of the art center and let each sponsor choose which one they liked best.”

After the artists were selected, Anne and Bill went public with their

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The unveiling of the completed horses was a weekend-long extravaganza. It was kicked off on Friday evening in October 2003 with a black tie party at ACA. “All the sponsors stood with their horses as celebrity announcers introduced each one. It was a gala event!” Bill Reynolds says.

The next day, volunteers draped each horse in a protective cloth, and moved them all to Newberry Plaza downtown for their public unveiling.

“We had an assortment of merchandise created for Horseplay,” Anne Campbell says. “There were calendars, t-shirts, mugs, etc.” A large crowd gathered in anticipation and then mayor Fred Cavanaugh went around and pulled the covering off each horse , one by one. All the sponsors were there and everyone loved having their photos taken with the various horses. “That was a great send-off as the horses then went out on display for about six months in and around the downtown area,” Bill notes. “It was highly publicized and we had a lot of people come from out of town specifically to see and photograph the horses.”

Anne agrees, “Horseplay being on display throughout town was

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perfect. The community embraced the project and it was just so much fun for everyone in Aiken and beyond.”

Finally… the Big Event

After the extensive display period in town, Horseplay culminated in March of 2004 with a black tie auction and ball in a huge tent at the steeplechase ground, Ford Conger Field, which is now known as Bruce’s Field.

“We had the horses lined up in the tent and after cocktails and dinner, everyone bid on them,” Bill explains. Anne engaged two professional auctioneers from Fasig-Tipton, renowned for their high-end racehorse auctions. “They put on a real show and played the crowd like you couldn’t believe,” Bill recounts.

Tuxedo-clad volunteers from a USC Aiken fraternity brought each horse up individually and put it on a rotating pedestal with spotlights highlighting it, and then the bidding began.

“Horseplay raised almost a quarter of a million dollars that night and people were just blown away,” Bill says. “It got so ‘in the moment.’ One woman bought two horses, and then there were two consortiums that desperately wanted the same horse.”

Tough, But Not Indestructible

Another of the painted horses with a very interesting story is the one Georgianna Conger Wolcott worked on. Georgianna, known to all as “Girl” loved creating the image of Dogwood Stable’s 1990 Preakness winner, Summer Squall, for Cot Campbell.

“Cot knew exactly what he wanted; so that part was easy,” she says.

The horse was painted with Summer Squall’s color and markings, and on each of its flanks Girl depicted a scene from his life.

“One side showed him winning the Preakness and on the other was an iconic Aiken scene of exercise riders riding down Mead Avenue,” she says. Several years after the fiberglass horse was erected in the Alley, a tree at the restaurant next to the Bowery fell on it and crushed it. “I was just devastated,” she says.

But this wasn’t the painted horse’s first mishap. When the horses were being transported to the steeplechase grounds in an open trailer for the auction, Girl’s creation was at the back of the trailer. Somehow, it fell off, breaking a leg in the process. Girl, with help of an auto body shop repaired the leg after the auction.

“Fortunately, we were able to prop him up for the presentation and no

Anne Campbell and Bill Reynolds today, 16 years after the auction.

One group wanted to keep the horse in Aiken and the other sought to take it to Atlanta. The horse, which was painted by Barbara Nelson, known to many as the current CEO and president of the SPCA Albrecht Center, was painted to depict her own OTTB, Hav Sum Fun, with the vibrant addition of the racing colors of various historical stables in Aiken. The Aiken group eventually outbid the folks from Atlanta, spending a staggering $23,000 for the horse. It is now on display at the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in Hopeland Gardens.

“I was very involved with the event,” says Barbara. “Anne and Bill did a fantastic job and it was really fun to be a part of it. It was a community effort to support the arts here in Aiken and the catalyst for kicking off the capital campaign for ACA. Having a center for the arts in a town like this is just fantastic; it goes along with the symphony, performing arts center, and animal shelter. We have some of the best things that exist for quality of life here in Aiken.”

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one could tell,” she says with a laugh. Even though the horse she created is no more, she still has fond memories of the experience.

“The whole event, spanning years, was like nothing else we had ever seen in Aiken. It was an amazing undertaking by Bill and Anne,” Girl says. “People still talk about that gala.”

“I had only moved to Aiken a few years before taking this on,” says Bill. “I had no idea what I was getting into. Anne and I hit it off and once we started talking to potential sponsors and saw how excited they were, I thought we had a home run; I just didn’t know how big it was. Momentum just built with each new phase, culminating with the auction. It was my first introduction to Aiken and the receptivity by not only the sponsors, but also the city government and the community was amazing. It was the perfect event for Aiken at the time: everything clicked.”

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News & Notes, from page 10 originally slated to be held in Wichita, Kansas, stayed on schedule for the first week of October. However, they were conducted via Zoom on the Internet, rather than being held face to face. It remains to be seen if this will have an effect on how business was conducted, but it certainly made attending the meetings more convenient and affordable for everyone.

Fortunately, as of this writing, cases of COVID-19, both mild and serious, seem to have been relatively infrequent in the equestrian community. It is true that the Standardbred world had some of the United States’ first coronavirus fatalities when the New Jersey horsemen John Brennan and Carmine Fusco died of the disease in March.

Carmine was a well-known trainer and John, the first COVID fatality in New Jersey, was a trainer and a horseman’s representative to the Standardbred Owners Association of New York. In April, Phil Langley, a horse owner, racing official and past president of the United States Trotting Association also succumbed to the disease at 83. Other high profile horsemen who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 include some jockeys, as well as multiple people who work as support staff to the Thoroughbred racing industry. In July, there was even a confirmed outbreak at Santa Anita in California. However, racing has managed to go on pretty much throughout the pandemic, though usually with no fans in the stands.

There were also reported COVID cases among some riders and support staff at the Kentucky Horse Park in the summer, which precipitated the cancellation of a number of national events, including the USEA American Eventing Championships (normally held in August), as well as the annual Retired Racehorse Foundation Thoroughbred Makeover competition (normally held the first week of October.) Other isolated cases have popped up in the equestrian world. However, there have not been any known major outbreaks of the disease in the horse show, eventing or polo communities as of yet, either nationally or here in Aiken. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Przewalski Horse Cloned

The Przewalski horse from Mongolia has long been thought to be the last truly wild breed of horse in the world. Other wild horse populations can be more accurately described as feral, since they are descended from previously domesticated horses, rather than from horses that have never been cared for by humans. (In fact, the word “mustang” comes from the Mexican Spanish word “mestengo” which refers to a stray animal.) DNA evidence analyzed in 2018 suggests that Przewalski horses might not be totally wild either, though if they were domesticated it was a very long time ago. From 3700 to 3100 BCE, the Botai people in Northern Kazakhstan were closely connected to horses, which they both hunted

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in the wild and domesticated. Approximately 2.7% of the DNA of modern Przewalski horses derives from the DNA of horses from Botai culture. Modern horses of other breeds are not directly descended from Botai horses at all. Today’s wild horses are named for a Polish born Russian colonel, Nikolaj Przewalski, who brought samples of their skulls and skins to scientists in 1881.

The Przewalski horse is critically endangered and was, at one point, extinct in the wild, although there were some individuals in zoos around the world. Efforts to bring the breed back from the brink of extinction started in the 1950s, at which point there were only 12 individuals in captivity. Captive breeding programs, although they ran into some trouble due to inbreeding, were largely successful.

Starting in the 1990s, the horses were also restored to their traditional habitat on the Asian steppe. Today, there are a number of different populations of the horses living across Northern Asia. The horses have even thrived in

unlikely locations, most notably in the 4,700 square kilometer exclusion zone surrounding the abandoned Chernobyl nuclear power plant between Ukraine and Belarus. The exclusion zone has been emptied of humans since the accident that destroyed the plant and released a toxic cloud of radiation in 1986.

Scientists had predicted that radiation contamination would render the exclusion zone an uninhabitable nuclear wasteland for some 20,000 years. But it turns out that horses and other wildlife can tolerate radiation better than they can tolerate humans. Wild horses moved into the zone in 1998, and the herd soon multiplied. Although the population was greatly reduced through poaching, today there are about 150 horses living there, browsing in the forest and often using decaying buildings for shelter. The horses are not the only animals to take advantage of these abandoned structures. Game cameras in the buildings have also captured deer, moose, wild boar, red fox, Eurasian lynx, raccoon dogs and wolves in the buildings.

Although Przewalski horses seem to be emerging from the imminent threat of extinction, scientist still worry about the lack

of genetic diversity in breeding herds, which are all descended from those 12 captive horses.

The modern gene pool has narrowed even more, since genetic lines from some of the original horses have petered out. Diversifying the genome without mixing in outside horses would require going back in time and breeding to some of the older horses from the first few captive generations.

Impossible? Not any more. Advances in cloning and reproductive technologies have made a genetic time machine not just possible, but feasible. In fact, this September, the San Diego Zoo put out a press release to announce the first successful cloning of a Przewalski horse. The foal was cloned by ViaGen Equine in Texas and born at Timber Creek Veterinary clinic in August. He is the genetic twin of a Przewalksi horse from the innovative San Diego Global Frozen Zoo ®, which has cryopreserved a vast library of genetic material from a variety of species.

“The colt’s birth revives genetic diversity that had been lost to the world and has now been recovered,” stated the press release. “The work to save endangered species requires collaborative and dedicated partners with aligned goals,” said Paul A. Baribault, who is the president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Global.

“We share in this remarkable achievement because we applied our multidisciplinary approach, working with the best scientific minds and utilizing precious genetic material collected and stored in our wildlife DNA bio bank.”

According to the press release, the new cloned foal will be moved to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to be integrated into a breeding herd once he is older. He was cloned from a cell line stored in the Frozen Zoo since 1980. This line came from a stallion born in 1975 in the UK, who was transferred to the US in 1978 and lived until 1998.

“This colt is expected to be one of the most genetically important individuals of his species,” said Bob Wiese Ph.D., who is the chief life sciences officer at San Diego Zoo Global. “We are hopeful that he will bring back genetic variation important for the future of the Przewalski’s horse population.”

The colt has been named “Kurt,” in honor of Kurt Benirschke, M.D., who was instrumental in founding the Frozen Zoo and the conservation research program at San Diego Zoo Global.

“This new Przewalski’s colt was born fully healthy and reproductively normal,” said Shawn Walker, who is the chief science officer at ViaGen Equine. “He is head butting and kicking, when his space is challenged, and he is demanding milk supply from his surrogate mother.”

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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 was recently a competitor at a USDF dressage show and I watched some other riders’ tests. I am confused by some of the rulings for decorating mane braids and tail braids, and for riding with seat covers on the saddle and nose nets on the bridle. I observed several riders who were allowed to compete and others who were eliminated for using what looked like the same equipment. I cannot figure out why these things are okay for some riders and not for others. Could you please explain the rules?

Confused Dear Confused

These are great observations. As you noticed, it is clearly quite important to know what is allowed and what is not in order to avoid a disappointing elimination. Let’s take a look at each of rules in question.

1. There are many things to keep in mind when it comes to braiding your horse’s mane. According to the 2020 USEF rulebook DR121.7 • Braiding the mane is not mandatory but can definitely neat and prepared. It also allows your judge to better see the development of your horse’s neck and topline.

• There is no ruling on how many braids or on which side of the neck the braids should lie.

• All styles of braids are allowed.

• Having a roached mane is acceptable When you do braid a mane, any decoration – flowers or ribbons or anything extravagant –is strictly forbidden and will entail elimination.

At a recent show, a horse and rider were eliminated because the horse had a sweet shamrock pin in its mane for good luck. Even though it looked adorable, according to the 2020 USEF rulebook, decorations such as these are strictly forbidden and so the elimination was unfortunate, but was to be expected.

2. Here are things to keep in mind when it comes to braiding your horse’s tail. According to the 2020 USEF rulebook DR121.7 • Braiding your horse’s tail is perfectly legal although not a common practice in dressage competitions. A loose, well-groomed tail can enhance the look of your horse’s relaxation to your judge. Many riders will bang the bottom of the tail (a straight even cut across the hairs near their tips.) Some riders will trim the short hairs on the sides of the tail near the dock. All this is allowed and will help to give your horse that polished look.

• A red ribbon in a horse’s tail is permitted. This would and should only be used to identify a horse that kicks.

• An interesting fact is that false tails (similar to a wig or hairpiece for people) are permitted in dressage, as long as they do not have any metal parts.

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• As with the mane, according to USEF 2020 ruling, any decorations other than a red ribbon to identify a kicker is strictly forbidden and will entail elimination.

3. What about seat savers – those coverings that go over the top of your saddle to provide comfort, warmth or security? There are a few factors involved with these. According to the 2020 USEF rule book DR 121.7 and DR 121.14 • Seat savers are forbidden in the warm up as well as the show ring.

Using one is strictly forbidden and will entail elimination, except: • Athletes holding a Federation Dispensation Certificate may use special saddlery and equipment as specifically listed on their certificate. A seat saver can qualify as special saddlery.

• If you want to use a seat saver, you will need a dispensation letter, which you can request from the USEF. In order to have such a letter issued, you would need to have a doctor’s signature on a statement saying that using one is essential for you to be able to sit with comfort in the saddle. If approved, you would have to submit this letter with every entry. A copy would then be attached to your test for the judge to acknowledge. This is the only way you would be able to show with a seat saver legally.

• At a recent show, there were two riders who entered the arena using seat savers. One rider had a dispensation letter and the other did not.

The first rider did well while the other was eliminated.

4. Let’s look at the regulations surrounding “nose nets.” These are coverings that attach to your noseband and are intended to calm horses that shake their heads while being ridden. There are a few factors to know. According to the 2020 USEF rule book DR121 .9 a and b • Nose nets are perfectly legal provided the entry is accompanied by a signed letter from your horse’s veterinarian. The letter must be attached to each test. The letter must be on the veterinarian’s stationery and must clearly state that the horse has been diagnosed with head shaking syndrome and that the condition is improved with the use of a nose net • There is a list of approved nose net brands on the USEF website.

• At a recent show, there were two riders who competed with nose nets. One had a veterinarian’s letter and was legal; the other did not and was eliminated.

I hope this brings clarity to your questions. Remember it is always important to know the current rules before competing to avoid elimination and disappointment. Read the rulebook, and if you have any questions about whether any piece of equipment is legal, it doesn’t hurt to ask the technical delegate at the show – he or she is there to help you.

Good luck to you in future competitions.

October-November 2020

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Residents enjoy an array of equestrian amenities including five meticulously groomed polo fields, stick and ball areas, an exercise track, polo arena, riding trails, all-weather GGT dressage and jumping arenas, miles of groomed roads made for riding and The Stables, our full-care, premier 24-stall boarding facility.

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New Huntsman for Aiken Hounds

Passion for hunting brings Chad Wilkes full circle

By Nancy Johnson, Photography by Gary Knoll

W

hen it comes to knowledge of hounds and hunting, Chad Wilkes comes by it honestly. It’s no surprise that Aiken Hounds sought him out for the vital position of professional huntsman. Chad, 44, literally grew up in the hunt field. His father, who is a longtime joint master of the revered Belle Meade Hunt in Thomson, Georgia, introduced Chad to foxhunting when he was a young boy.

“I started with the hilltoppers when I was 12. My dad made me ride in the back for a couple of years before he would let me ride first flight,” he says. In time, Chad became a whipper-in for Belle Meade, giving him his introduction to working and understanding hounds.

His first job as a huntsman came about in an interesting way. After he graduated from Augusta College, Chad and his wife Melissa were living in Athens, Georgia. She was a practicing attorney and he was employed by the University of Georgia Vet School in the radiology department.

“We were doing some work on a horse that was owned by the then chancellor of the university, Dr. Stephen Portch,” Chad says. “We got to talking and he asked me if I would be interested in hunting his hounds in Alabama.” Chad interviewed for the position in 2003 and became the huntsman for Hard Away Whitworth Hounds in Greensboro, near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

After a season with Hard Away, Chad took the huntsman position with South Carolina’s second oldest hunt, the Camden Hunt, where he remained for seven seasons. He then spent a brief period of time as huntsman for the Blue Ridge Hunt in Boyce, Virginia, near Middleburg, before returning to his hometown, Augusta, in 2011. Because Chad and Melissa had two young daughters to raise (Anabelle and Lillian) he decided to take a hiatus from his dream job as a professional huntsman. Instead, he took a position with Petco in Augusta, and soon was promoted to manage the new store they opened in Aiken.

From 2014 through 2019, Chad also acted as huntsman for a private pack, Saxonburg Hounds, from Pennsylvania that came to hunt in Aiken from January through March. “I found it easy to balance with my position at Petco, but unfortunately, the owner of the pack has now retired from hunting and the hounds have been dispersed to other kennels.”

Once again, Chad was in the right place at the right time. When the Aiken Hounds joint master, Linda Mclean, asked him if he would be interested in the huntsman position with Aiken Hounds, he jumped at the opportunity. “I’ve known Linda since I was 12,” he says. “I’m so excited to be hunting with her, Larry Byers, who I’ve also known for years, and the rest of the staff in Aiken.”

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“Chad will bring so much to the Aiken Hounds and we are so looking forward to having him,” says Linda. “He’s very humble and just has a way of making a day in the field enjoyable for everyone.”

Chad notes, “This is the first huntsman job I’ve ever done that involved a drag and I’m excited about it. It’s guaranteed fun. You know you will never have a blank day. With live hunting there are a number of key factors -- a lot depends on the scent, where you are hunting, what time you go.”

The kennels are located right on Dibble Road, making it very convenient for Chad to get to from his other job at Petco. “I can run over there from work at lunch time and check on everything and then stop by after work and play with the hounds a bit,” he explains.

A big part of Chad’s success as a huntsman is the relationship he builds with the hounds. “We are a family of animal lovers,” he says. “We have five dogs in the house; I’ve got a Jack Russell sitting in my lap right now,” he adds with a laugh.

Linda attests to Chad’s connection with the hounds. “After his first day at the kennel, Chad already knew all their names. The hounds just love him.”

Chad is disappointed that the hound shows are cancelled for this year; he has been involved with showing hounds since he was a child.

“Aiken Hounds is pretty big into the hound shows, so that will be fun when it returns,” he says.

“I have a really nice hunting horse, Ashby,” he continues. “He’s a Thoroughbred that we leased from a friend of mine who hunted him with Rolling Rock. He’s got lots of mileage over all kinds of terrain and rolling hills.” Ashby, like the other staff horses, is stabled right at the kennels. “They just finished a beautiful new barn there. It’s so perfect to have everything right there.”

Chad conveys his gratitude to those who have helped him live the life that he loves. “My wife has been a great backer and has allowed me to follow my dreams. It’s hard to juggle real life and hunting on the side. If I wasn’t a professional, I could never afford to foxhunt.” He also credits his father, a recently retired small animal vet in Augusta, for instilling in him “a love for animals and how to treat them, as well as human beings . . .My father and Epp Wilson at Belle Meade Hunt are two of my biggest supporters.”

Chad is enthusiastic about working with Aiken Hounds. “It’s a very well established hunt and steeped in tradition,” he says. “I want this to be a long-term job, so it is important to know that this is a hunt that isn’t going away.”

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Back to Polo at Hilltop Farm The von Stades come home to Aiken

By Pam Gleason

M

oving to Aiken was a homecoming of sorts for Kimberley and Dickie von Stade, the new owners of Hilltop Farm. Dickie’s grandfather was F.S. von Stade, a renowned horseman and a pillar of the old Aiken Winter Colony. Although Dickie did not grow up a dedicated horseman like some of his cousins, he did spend time in Aiken when he was a child, and worked as a hot walker at the Aiken Training Track when he was in his early 20s. Kimberley, a lifelong horsewoman from England, has been immersed in the world of polo ever since she arrived in London as a high goal polo groom several decades ago. Although she had visited Aiken on occasion and played in some local women’s tournaments over the years, Kimberley did not know Aiken well before the couple moved here. But, like many devoted horse people, coming to Aiken, with its year round equestrian activities and vibrant horse community, felt like coming home.

Hilltop Farm, which commands a spectacular view of the 302 equestrian corridor East of Aiken, was most recently owned by Caroline McGaughey who bred Quarter Horses and Paints for the halter ring. Caroline, who died after an illness just a year after moving to Hilltop, purchased the farm from the polo pony trainer Karen Reese who had developed it as a working polo farm. The 66 acres are divided into rolling grassy pastures and there are two stables as well as a professionally constructed polo arena, perfect for holding games and training green horses all year round. In the past, the Hilltop arena has been the site of regular games as well as tournaments such as the Aiken Ladies Invitational, which brought players from around the region.

“It’s my dream farm,” says Kimberley. “I can’t believe we have it.”

Kimberley’s journey to Hilltop started in Yorkshire, England. Her mother had a business training and selling horses and Kim rode horses her mother had purchased from the auction to get them ready for competitions and sales. This often meant riding green horses, difficult horses and horses with bad habits that needed changing.

Not surprisingly, Kim developed a strong seat, sympathetic hands and an ability to adapt to and understand whatever horse she was given to deal with. When she finished school, she was not sure what she wanted to do, but she knew that horses were her passion and riding was her talent. She knew she wanted a job and that she was ready to leave Yorkshire and see more of the world. When she found an advertisement the Horse and Hound magazine looking for polo grooms in London, she responded right away.

“It said good riders needed, no experience required . . Polo – that’s me!” She says laughing. “So I went off down to London. The person in charge had me ride a horse; he watched me and then he said ‘You’re hired.” The job was to be a groom for a high goal polo operation.

Kim’s new job in the high goal polo world thrust her into an exciting, fast-moving, partying life centered around horses. Her job also put her in contact with the highest echelons of English society: she even sometimes groomed for Prince Charles when he played for the Maple Leafs Polo team.

“We had so much fun,” she says. “All the grooms were young English girls and we all lived together. You’d be so competitive with your polo ponies. Everything had to be just so, and the ponies would have to shine. It was an art. . . . When Prince Charles played, we would groom for him. He’d be playing in a charity match, and afterward he’d come down to the pony lines and give the ponies lumps of sugar. The players were always getting these magnums of Champagne after the game and Prince Charles would give it to us grooms ‘Here you go, girls.’

Then when we were on the way back with the horses in the lorry – we didn’t have to drive because they had a lorry driver – we would all be

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drinking it and laughing about how Prince Charles gave it to us.”

The following winter, Kimberley followed the high goal circuit to Florida, where she worked for the American 8-goal player Rob Walton. She stayed on with him through the summer, and when he played the US Open on the All American Team at Meadowbrook on Long Island, she went along as his groom.

She soon discovered that she had a friend on Long Island, an Irish girl who had groomed with her in England. That friend was housesitting at a beautiful home owned by Dickie von Stade’s family. When Kimberley came to visit she met Dickie. They hit it off, spending the summer together and eventually marrying.

When Kimberly groomed for the high goal, she did not think much about playing herself, but when she started to be exposed to low goal polo, she became convinced that she could play, too. She started out practicing her stick and ball skills, and soon managed to get into some practice games. Bitten by the polo bug, she slowly started acquiring horses, discovering a growing passion for playing. It was a game that she took to right away: her lifelong skill as a horseman complemented her competitive nature, making her a fast and aggressive player.

About 15 years ago, Kimberley and Dickie took a lease on a property in Tallahassee, Florida, where they started the Red Hills Polo Club. They had games, took in boarders and gave lessons in riding and in polo. Dickie, whose horse experience as a child was mostly confined to family trips to a Western dude ranch, started riding as well, and eventually took up polo, too. They both loved polo and horses, and running the club gave them a chance to share their passion with other people.

Although the club was successful, the von Stades were ready to buy their own property, and they were ready to leave Florida. Kimberley had always wanted to come to Aiken because of its reputation as a horseman’s paradise. Last year, when Kimberley played in the Aiken Women’s Challenge, Dickie came along too. They both quickly realized that Aiken was where they wanted to be. Not only were they impressed by the horse culture in the town, they found the people warm and welcoming. Dickie even has cousins living here: Charlie Bostwick who is the president of Aiken Polo Club and Lellie Ward who owns Paradise Farm. It seemed a natural place to end up.

The von Stades started looking for a farm, visiting many properties in the county. When they came to Hilltop, they knew they had found the right place.

“It was all set up,” says Kimberley. “Other places were nice, but this was set up for polo and ready to go.” Plus, they both loved the setting, and most especially the views from the house.

COVID-19 hit soon after they first looked at the property, which slowed down their negotiations. But after several months, they had finalized the purchase, and in August they moved in, bringing along their seven dogs and 15 horses.

This fall they will be settling into Aiken life. Kimberley is playing at Aiken Polo Club and starting to organize informal practices and green horse chukkers in the Hilltop arena. Although they don’t plan to have another polo club like Red Hills, they will be running Hilltop as a business, primarily by taking in boarders and renting out an apartment on the property. The future might also include giving some polo lessons and holding practices and occasional tournaments in the Hilltop arena.

“We’re extremely happy to be in Aiken,” says Kimberley who says they are both looking forward to riding in the Hitchcock Woods and doing some foxhunting in addition to polo. “Aiken is all about horses and there is so much going on. We love it here.”

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Secret Lives of Horses

Connery: A Bond-like character

By Nancy Johnson

J

ust like his namesake in his famous James Bond role, Connery the horse has pulled off a few daring stunts in his lifetime.

The Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding has been with Kathy Viele for every day of his 23 years. Kathy had bought his dam, Touche (Luminary Princess), off the track and retrained her to be a reliable foxhunting and lower-level eventing partner. “She was just an all-around nice mare, I could whip-in off her and ride her in the field. On top of that she was very pretty,” she says.

Back in the late 1990s, Kathy and her husband Steve had already bred a couple of nice Percheron-cross foxhunters for themselves and were thinking about breeding Touche. The couple, who lived in Kansas at the time, were on vacation in Colorado and took a side trip to see a Warmblood stallion that Kathy had heard about. However, she was disappointed when she saw him ridden and decided that he was not the right match for her mare.

Kathy and Steve were walking out to their car when a working student at the farm stopped them saying, “There is another young stallion here that you guys might like, especially because you are both tall.”

That horse was Cimarron, a 17.1 hand, 1992 Holsteiner stallion that had been bred in New Mexico and had just started dressage training.

“He was very young; either 3 or 4,” Kathy recalls. “But, we liked him and there were a couple of foals from his test breeding which were also quite nice.”

After returning home, Kathy continued to look at other stallions. She showed a video of Cimarron to her trainer, the Olympic eventing rider Becky Holder, who also liked him. “As I looked at other stallions, I just kept thinking about this guy,” Kathy says. “Then, I found him in one of the online stallion auctions and I bid on him. Since he was a young, unproven stallion, I wound up getting the stud service for $670.”

Connery was born on Kathy and Steve’s farm in Kansas. After backing him as a 3-year-old, Kathy sent him to a “cowboy” for 30 days of basic training. Some years later, Becky tuned him up for a few weeks prior to his first start at the Preliminary level of eventing, in which Becky rode him.

“Other than that, I did all of his showing and most of his training myself, with a whole lot of lessons and the help of a local trainer, Jamie Hill, in Kansas,” Kathy says.

Kathy evented Connery all over the Kansas City and Chicago areas, and they also trekked to Lexington, Houston, Denver, Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, and even The Fork in North Carolina. “That’s the fun of eventing when you live in the Midwest; getting together with some girlfriends and your trainer and going on a road trip,” she says.

One highlight among their many wins was in 2008 at the prestigious Maui Jim Horse Trials in Chicago where Kathy and Connery did a Preliminary CIC1* and won the adult rider low score award among all levels.

Asked about her most memorable moments competing Connery, Kathy doesn’t hesitate at all. “He’s quite famous for a series of photos that were taken of him at the water complex when we went Prelim at Hill ‘n Hound in Illinois.”

She recalls that the first two elements were a related distance, vertical to vertical with a drop landing into the water. Connery jumped the first perfectly and was focused, square, and straight jumping into the second.

But in the air, Kathy believes he saw the fence’s shadow as part of the jump.

“He launched into the water and I had all the time in the world to think ‘I am going to die right here.’ The only thing I could do at that point was hold my shoulders and be still.” Amazingly, Connery landed, albeit two strides further out than expected, with an audible “ugh,” pulled himself together and jumped on out. “He was always so bold and powerful. His solution in a bad situation was to just add more power to get out. I know this horse absolutely had the ability to go on to higher levels; I just had no desire,” Kathy says.

Kathy took him through the one star level (two star by today’s standards) and when she didn’t want to go any further, decided to concentrate on

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Competing at Hill n Hound in Illinois. Photo by Derith Vogt dressage. “I got my Bronze Medal with him,” she says. They went on to get 4th level scores toward a Silver Medal, but though they worked very hard on it, Connery could not get the collection needed for tempi changes.

Kathy didn’t reach that goal with him, but, “I learned a lot,” she says.

In addition to eventing and competing in dressage, Connery is also a proven foxhunter, both as a staff horse and in the field. Kathy rode him at the Central States Performance Trial in conjunction with Masters of Foxhounds Association Centennial Foxhunting Tour in 2007. She was part of the field when her hunt won the trial. “A couple masters from visiting hunts on the East Coast tried to buy him,” she remembers.

“He has put up with so many things from me and is so forgiving and tolerant of a rider’s mistakes,” she continues. She remembers a time when she was riding him with a friend along the seashore at Myrtle Beach. They were cantering in the shallow surf and suddenly hit an unexpected dropoff. Both she and Connery went totally underwater. “He came up with water pouring out of his ears. Most horses would be terrified, but not Connery. I remounted and we walked right back in the water,” she says.

But like every horse, Connery is not perfect. “He has a real buck – even still today at 23.” Kathy says. “You could put anyone on him, except for that.” She laughs as she recalls an incident, shortly after she first moved to Aiken, during a lesson on Connery with the local trainer and dressage judge Amy McElroy.

“I had just recovered from kidney stones and was still taking it somewhat easy and so Connery hadn’t been out for a good gallop in a while and he’s a horse that definitely needs that periodically.” All was going well in the lesson until Connery tripped. “He then proceeded to take off bucking about 20 times like a bronco. I got him stopped and Amy looked at me and said, ‘I had my phone on speed dial to 911. That is the most scared I have ever been for anyone in my arena either teaching or judging.’ She promised if I could ride that, she could get me to Grand Prix.” Kathy says she can usually anticipate Connery’s bucking sessions, because they are often preceded by a gleeful squeal.

Kathy had focused on dressage with Connery since moving to Aiken in 2011, but in 2018 a friend’s horse was injured and could not compete at an event at Pine Top, so Kathy decided to take her Training Level spot. She was tied for second after dressage and after riding one of the few double clears in a tough stadium course, moved into the lead. “The cross country course had a section of woods on it and when I rode it, I landed from a fence on a tighter line than the way I had walked it. I wound up in a bunch of trees and could not find the next fence,” she says. She was so lost that she trotted for some time and then finally saw the jump. Very relieved, Kathy was galloping along trying to make up the time she had lost and was approaching fence 14 when her rein broke. “It was the rubber sleeve of the rein. It was a bit tricky while galloping to the next fence, but I was able to figure out how to reach above it and still steer.” They more than made up their time lost in the trees and won.

Today, Connery’s life includes regular trail rides, some casual jumping, and an occasional drill team performance. “I keep him mentally and physically engaged, just have fun with him and don’t ask for too much.

We’ll keep doing it as long as he wants to.”

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Aiken Area Hunt Directory elcome to the annual Aiken Horse Hunt Directory for 20202021, providing important dates, information and contact W numbers for seven of our regional hunts. For those ready to follow the

hounds, cubbing is already well underway and formal hunting is just around the corner. This year’s season may look a bit different due to Covid-19 restrictions so please contact hunt secretaries for the most upto-date information.

Hunt Office: 706.595.2525 Season: November through mid-March Opening Meet: Saturday, November 7, 2020 **Due to Covid-19, the traditional Opening Meet party and BBQ has been cancelled, as has the Tally Ho wagon. Caps are invited to contact the hunt secretary.

Hunt Week: February 7-13, 2021 Hunt Ball: February 13, 2021 Hunt days: Wednesdays, Saturdays and some Sundays

Aiken Hounds

Drag Hunt Hitchcock Woods and Aiken County, SC

The Belle Meade Hunt was established in 1966 and recognized by the MFHA in 1970. Belle Meade is a large, fast moving hunt that takes riders through the hills, fields and woodlands of northwestern Georgia.

The hunts often have fields of 50 to 75, which are divided into four flights including two jumping and two non-jumping flights. In nonpandemic years, Belle Meade boasts a well-attended opening meet with over 100 riders and 500 spectators. Belle Meade keeps English and Crossbred foxhounds.

Hunt attire: Green coat with a chamois collar. Evening: Scarlet with green facings, chamois collar.

Master of Foxhounds: Ms. Linda Knox McLean, Mr. Larry Byers, Ms. Wendy Collins Gutfarb, Ms. Sarah Wildasin Huntsman: Mr. Chad Wilkes Contact: Hon. Sec. Dr. Linda C. Hickey, 803.270.7392, lchickey63@ gmail.com. Hotline, 803.643.3724. www.facebook.com/aikenhounds.

Season: Mid-October through mid-March Opening Meet: Thursday, November 26th, 2020 **Sadly, due to Covid-19, the traditional Blessing of the Hounds has been cancelled. Caps should contact the hunt secretary.

Hunt days: Tuesdays and Saturdays

Camden Hunt Live Hunt Kershaw County, SC

Hunt attire: Black Melton or Oxford gray coat with scarlet-orange collar and charcoal piping. Evening: Scarlet with orange lapels.

The Aiken Hounds is the longest running hunt in SC. It was established in 1914 by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hitchcock and recognized by the MFHA in 1916. During drag hunt days, the AH hunts the 2,200 acres of the Hitchcock Woods. These Tuesday and Saturday meets are the only drag hunts in the Aiken area and may be well suited for riders on a fixed schedule as drag hunts typically only take a couple of hours.

The live hunts on Thursdays and some Sundays are held at various fixtures across Aiken county and, like other live hunts, tend to be less predictable as to their duration. For information about events, contact the hotline or visit the Aiken Hounds Facebook page. Prospective guests are requested to please contact the hunt secretary.

Master of Foxhounds: Ms. Joanne Schwartz, Ms. Sue Sensor, Ms. Amy Cantey

Belle Meade Hunt

Hunt days: Wednesdays and Saturdays

Live Hunt Thomson and McDuffie Counties, GA. Hunt attire: Scarlet coat with a Confederate Cavalry yellow collar.

Evening: Same with red satin lapels.

Master of Foxhounds: Mr. Charles W. Lewis, Mr. Ed Maxwell, Dr. Gary Wilkes, Mr. Edgar S. (Epp) Wilson Contact: Hon. Sec. Mrs. Angela Smith, 706.833.3104, ke4nnr@ classicsouth.net, www.bellemeadehounds.com.

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Huntsman: Ms. Melissa Rice Contact: Hon. Sec. Ms. Amy Cantey, 803.420.6860, therealcamdenhunt@gmail.com Season: October through mid-March Opening Meet: Thanksgiving, November 26, 2020

The Camden Hunt is the second oldest hunt in South Carolina and was recognized by the Master of Foxhounds Association in 1926. The hunt maintains a professional huntsman, a kennel, and between 20 to 25 couple of crossbred hounds. The terrain in hunt country is a mix of lush swamps, hardwood forests and mature pine woods. Hunt country is well paneled with coops, Aikens and Camdens. The footing is mostly sandy and very horse friendly. There are three fields: the first, which jumps; the second, which goes at a slower pace and can avoid jumping; and the third field which views the most game and usually just walks and trots. Game consists of red and gray foxes as well as coyote.

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Lowcountry Hunt

Whiskey Road Foxhounds

Hunt attire: Black coat with gold piped indigo collar (to represent historical crops of indigo and Carolina Gold rice)

Hunt attire: Scarlet with Aiken green velvet collar. Evening: Same with scarlet facings.

Master of Foxhounds: Ms. Christina Bates, Ms. Nina S. Burke, Ms. Melinda F. Shambley, Dr. Mark O. Shambley

Master of Foxhounds: Mr. David Smith, Mrs. Freddy Davis, Ms. Barbara Nelson

Huntsman: Mr. Tony Gammel

Huntsman: Mr. Joseph Hardiman

Contact: Hon. Sec. Carol Makovich Lobdell, 203.940.2257, lowcountryhunt@gmail.com. www.thelowcountryhunt.com

Contact: Hon. Sec. Betsy Minton, 803.617.8353, elizabethminton@ att.net, www.whiskeyroadfoxhounds.com

Season: mid-November through mid-March

Season: October through March

Fall Hunter Pace: October 3, 2020

Opening Meet: November 8, 2020

Opening Meet: November 21, 2020

Hunter Paces: November 16, 2020 and February 15, 2021

Hunt Weekend: January 14-17, 2021

Hunt Week: February 3-9, 2021

Hunt days: Tuesdays and Saturdays, and sometimes Thursdays

Hunt Ball: February 5, 2021

The Lowcountry Hunt was founded in 2006. Hunt country includes some of the oldest and most beautiful estates in the state with terrain ranging from freshwater marshes and tidal creeks to ancient live oak groves and hardwood forests. Fox and coyote are hunted with frequent sightings of alligators, bald eagles, and many types of waterfowl. The Lowcountry hunt keeps American foxhounds with a few Crossbreds.

Closing Hunt: March 21, 2021

Live Hunt Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, and Jasper counties, SC

Shakerag Hounds

Live Hunt Madison, Franklin, and Wilkes counties, GA.

Live Hunt Aiken, Allendale, and Lexington counties, SC.

Hunt days: Thursdays and Sundays Established in 1976 and registered with the MFHA in 1977, the Whiskey Road Foxhounds regularly hunt large tracts in Aiken, Allendale, and Lexington counties. WRFH fields three flights over wooded and grass terrain, through cattle farms and timber properties peppered with coops, logs, and cross-country style jumps. Whiskey Road keeps 30 couple of English and Crossbred hounds. Guests are invited to wear their colors.

Hunt attire: Black coat with Dove Gray collar with Byzantine Gold piping Master of Foxhounds: Mr. Daryl Buffenstein and Mrs. Beth Massengill Huntsman: Mr. John Eaton Contact: Hunt Sec. Dr. Tara Stricko, 770.312.3438, huntsecretary@ shakeraghounds.com. www.shakeraghounds.com Season: Labor Day through mid-March Opening Meet: October 24, 2020 **Due to Covid-19, Shakerag will not have the Tally-ho Wagons and cannot accommodate car followers. Additionally, Opening Meet will not conclude with the traditional hunt breakfast as the Clubhouse is closed. Caps are invited to contact the hunt secretary.

Wiggins Hounds Live Hunt Bamberg County

Hunt Attire: Granite Gray jacket with Wiggins Blue collar and Wiggins Blue waistcoat. Evening: Black tie and evening gowns

Closing Hunt: mid-March

Master of Foxhounds: Mr. Edmund Twining, III

Hunt days: Tuesdays and Saturdays

Huntsman: Mr. Tommy Gesell

The Shakerag Hounds is the oldest recognized hunt in Georgia. It was established in 1943, when a group of horse and hunting enthusiasts at Atlanta’s historic Chastain Park started the Atlanta Hunt Club, the precursor of the Shakerag Hounds of today. In 1950, the hunt was officially recognized by the MFHA. Facilities include a large clubhouse, kennels, a barn for staff horses, and a home for the professional huntsman. Shakerag Hounds employ a pack of 40+ PennMaryDel and cross bred foxhounds who hunt red and gray fox, coyotes, hogs, and bobcat. Foxhunting with Shakerag is a family sport, with riders aged 8 to 80 riding in one of three fields.

Contact: Hon. Sec. Ms. Amy Gesell, 843.754.7236, amygesell123@ gmail.com

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Season: mid-October through mid-March Established in 2013 and recognized by the MFHA in 2017, the Wiggins Hounds is a private hunt whose territory includes roughly 10,000 acres between Charleston and Columbia, SC. The WH hunts American and cross-bred hounds which are kennelled in Ehrhardt, SC. Visitors may attend by invitation only.

October-November 2020

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Tales of Rescue Horses and the Law Aiken Steeplechase Classifieds Directory Polo: 12 Goal Final Calendar Index of Advertisers

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October-November 2020

Tales of Rescue Chrome and Charm

By Pam Gleason

C

hrome and Charm, both former polo ponies, live together in a grassy paddock at Aiken Equine Rescue on Aiken’s Southside. They are shiny and content, spending their days grazing and lazing in the sun.

Chrome, a chestnut in his late 20s, betrays his age a bit in his outline and expression. Charm, a dark bay mare in her mid-teens, is intelligent and energetic. They both look like happy, healthy horses.

But they were not always this way. When they were brought to the rescue from a neglect situation at the end of April, both were little more than bones covered with ragged, rain-rotted coats. Charm, with relative youth on her side, was in much better shape than Chrome. Older horses need more food to survive, and neither horse had had enough for a very long time. With a body score of 1, his hips and backbone stuck out

painfully.

“He would not have lasted more than a few more days if he hadn’t been grabbed, we don’t think,” says Caroline Mulstay who is the manager at the rescue.

Caroline says that when they take in horses that are in terrible shape such as Chrome and Charm, there is always an immediate outpouring of support from the community. Horse people in Aiken and beyond are thankful that the horses have been saved, and often express their relief that they are in such good hands at the rescue. What most people don’t fully understand is that taking a horse out of a bad situation is really only the beginning. Horses suffering from severe neglect have a long road back to recovery, and they are often not really out of the woods for several months, or even longer. The refeeding process with starving horses is excruciatingly slow, since it is very easy to overwhelm a horse’s system with too much nutrition at once. At the same time, the horses need to have enough feed to give them the strength to carry on. Finding that balance is difficult, and many horses have a rocky road to recovery.

Such was the case with Chrome. “We thought we were going to lose him about a week after he came in,” says Caroline. On that day, she had noticed that he was lying down in his paddock. “At first I thought he

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was just resting in the sun,” she says. “But then I saw him a little later on and he was lying down in a different place. That was a bad sign – horses often lie down to rest during the day, but they don’t get up and lie down again somewhere else. We thought he might be colicking.”

When Caroline and her staff went to check him, they discovered that he had gone down and didn’t have the strength to get up again.

Fortunately, they were able to help him to his feet and to steady him until the veterinarian could arrive. After some intravenous fluids and vitamins, his eyes brightened and his strength returned. For the next few weeks, he spent time in a stall with a fan, and the rescue staff made him as comfortable as possible while he recuperated. He had gotten over that bump in the road, but it could easily have gone the other way.

“You have to watch these horses every day, and you really have to pay attention to everything, how they eat, what their manure looks like,” Caroline continues. “You have to be very observant.”

Starved horses are first introduced to small amounts of alfalfa given to them frequently throughout the day. When they are ready, they can have small amounts of concentrates as well.

Chrome and Charm were fed soaked senior feed mixed with a ration balancer, along with high quality alfalfa. “You have to raise the amount that you feed them very slowly, by a quarter of a scoop at a time,” she says.

“It can be difficult. You want to give them whatever they want to eat, but you can’t do that.” Eventually they were eating eight scoops (about 16 quarts) of concentrates along with as much alfalfa as they wanted.

“We try to keep people updated on our horses’ progress with pictures on our Facebook page,” says Caroline.

“We have the best supporters. We have some who will call to ask about a horse and want to know how he is doing and what he might need even months after he comes in.” Still, the rescue, which is supported by donations, has significant expenses, which is why Caroline says it is most helpful when donors commit to giving a certain amount every month.

Starvation and neglect cases can be very expensive, but the rescue also has more many horses to feed and care for year in and year out.

What’s next for Chrome and Charm? Caroline says that if they spend the rest of their lives at the rescue, that would be fine. Chrome, because of his age, might do that –though if the right person came along who was committed to spoiling him and loving him for the rest of his life, that would be wonderful. Charm, who is probably about 15, seems to be sound and healthy and looking for a job, so she might be an excellent candidate for a riding home. “For these horses, like for all of our horses, they would have to be going to a great place.”

Both horses are “fat as ticks right now” according to Caroline, and doing so well that their feed has recently been cut back. How does it feel to see this transformation? She described it well in a post on the Equine Rescue Facebook page: “It’s the best feeling when you’re looking at a horse in the distance and think ‘what horse is that?’ And then realize it’s the pile of bones that came in months ago that now has a pile of fat and a pile of muscle on top of those bones and he looks like all the other horses. It’s hard to see the progress when you’re with them every day but when you take a minute and really look and really think about where they came from it will take your breath away.”

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Horses and the Law

Buying & Selling Your Horse

By Jim Ritchie, Ritchie & Associates, LLC (Buying: Second of a two-part series on the legal aspects of buying and selling horses)

V

ery early on a cold Christmas morning when I was 8 years old, I awoke excitedly and yelled to my little sister “get up!” We both bounded down the stairs to see what treasures we might find under the tree. Hanging on a low branch was a soot-smudged card that read: “Jimmy, go look in the field. Love, Santa.”

I grabbed my boots, ran out the back door and took off for the barn.

There in the snowy pasture was my first pony, a Breyers®-worthy Pony of the Americas in a red blanket. It was magical and I appreciate it all the more now that I know what my parents (and Santa) had to deal with to get that pony to our farm that Christmas.

This month we explore legal issues and recommended practices when purchasing a horse at Christmas or any other time. I will stay away – for the most part – from how to select the horse or pony that is right for you. There is already a ton of advice online, in books and articles, and wherever two or more horse folks are gathered, about how to evaluate and find your next horse. As an equine attorney who works with buyers and sellers in putting deals together and resolving disputes, I have only two cardinal points on the subject: 1) if you are a rookie buyer, find a trusted horseman or professional to guide you and be realistic about your skills, goals and budget; and, 2) all buyers should avoid the impulsive, emotionally-driven purchase.

Buying a horse is a deceptively complex transaction. On the surface, it is pretty straightforward. You select the horse, agree on a price and payment terms, and take the horse home. In reality, to have successful outcomes buyers need to address several important issues to protect their legal interests and their wallet. Remember, when purchasing a horse, it is a “buyer beware” situation. Unless you put terms in a written purchase agreement that protects you, the law provides very few remedies for problems that arise after a sale.

Let’s look at the best practices and key considerations that buyers need to tackle when purchasing a horse.

Require a Written Agreement and Bill of Sale. The best way a buyer can shape the transaction to meet her needs is to prepare a clear and detailed purchase agreement. The essential terms for an enforceable agreement include the parties to the sale, the sales price, financing, a description of the horse, health disclosures, representations and warranties, risk of loss before the deal closes, date of delivery, remedies in the event of a dispute, and a Bill of Sale.

A prudent buyer should also require a trial period before finalizing the purchase. It seems obvious, but during the trial period, have the horse perform its intended job. If you are going to hunt with the horse, take him out on a hunt. The same goes for barrel racers, trail horses, and show ponies. I am often surprised by buyers who put a trial period in their agreement, but fail to have the horse actually perform its discipline. It is hard to unwind a transaction on the basis that the horse is not fit for its intended purpose, if the buyer did not test its suitability when she had the opportunity.

A buyer should also insist on a separate Bill of Sale when purchasing the horse. The Bill of Sale will recite the essential terms of the transaction, but it should also include provisions that the seller owns the horse “free and clear” of any liens, claims or other encumbrances.

That will help protect a buyer from claims by a seller’s creditors should a dispute arise.

Disclosures, Representations and Warranties. Purchasers should include terms that compel a seller to disclose the full medical history of the horse and enable the buyer to contact the treating vet to secure all records. If a seller is unwilling to provide that information, it is a red flag that something is not right.

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The seller’s representations should include the horse’s age, capabilities, experience, breeding (if relevant), temperament and soundness. These attributes are central considerations to any purchase and the buyer should require these points in the written agreement.

Warranties in a sales agreement are important and can be a point of conflict. A seller will likely seek to disclaim any warranty and have the buyer purchase the horse “as is.” Under those terms, a buyer accepts the horse with all its faults.

Unless there is evidence of fraud or misrepresentation, a post-sale claim against the seller based on inadequate quality or value will not be successful. Therefore, a buyer should insist on warranty language that establishes that the horse is able to perform its intended job at the owner’s required level and other reasonable standards.

Pre-purchase Exam. The agreement should include a provision that the purchase is conditioned on the horse undergoing a pre-purchase exam by a vet of the buyer’s choice. The scope of the exam should be commensurate with the investment being made by the buyer, the age and background of the horse, and its intended use. If the buyer is

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not satisfied with the results of the exam, the seller should return the buyer’s down payment and release her from the contract.

Payment and Financing. As a buyer, it is important that you control the payment terms, as money flow is the greatest power in a transaction. If you plan to pay in full at the time of purchase, you should still consider splitting the payments. I recommend a refundable down payment of approximately 10% of the purchase price to be paid when the trial period begins and paying the balance when all of the terms of the agreement are met.

If you plan on financing part of the purchase, then the agreement should set out those terms clearly. You will be expected to sign a promissory note for the amount financed with strict payment terms, lien rights and other legal remedies. If you do not understand the terms, get good legal advice before signing the agreements. Financing contracts carry serious legal duties and responsibilities. The seller may also require you to purchase mortality insurance on the horse for at least the amount being financed. Even if the seller does not require insurance, it is a good practice to purchase the coverage to limit your risk in the event something tragic occurs.

Insurance and the Risk of Loss or Injury. In addition to the financing situation discussed above, insurance and risk of loss issues are important considerations for buyers in other aspects of the purchase process. The purchase agreement should clearly state who is responsible for the risk of loss during each stage of the transaction. For example, if there is a delay between signing the contract and delivering the horse to the buyer, the seller should be responsible for any injury or loss. Likewise, when the buyer has the horse for trial, she will bear

the risk of loss and financial responsibility during that period. If the horse is being shipped to the buyer or back to the seller as part of the agreement, the party selecting the shipper usually bears the risk of loss in transit.

Even though a buyer may not yet own a horse under contract, she can purchase insurance on the horse during a trial and for the period of time she is making installment payments to purchase the horse. The mortality insurance policy will name the seller as the beneficiary until the sale is complete. When the deal is concluded, the buyer will send the insurance company a copy of the Bill of Sale and the insurance company will remove the seller as the beneficiary and insert the buyer.

Using an Agent in the Transaction. Many buyers, especially inexperienced purchasers, look to a trainer or other equine professional for assistance in these matters. This can be an excellent way to avoid costly mistakes and find the right fit for owner and rider.

However, problems can arise if the terms of the representation are not clearly spelled out or the arrangement lacks transparency. When you hire a person to find a horse and negotiate its purchase, you usually pay them a commission based on the purchase price. Because commissioned agents are not licensed or regulated by state law, buyers should require the agent to sign a written contract. The contract’s terms and conditions should specify that the agent represents the interests of the buyer only and the agent does not have any conflict of interest; describe the commission and expenses the buyer is expected to pay; whether the buyer is obligated to use the agent exclusively or may work with other agents concurrently; the terms to terminate the agreement; and, the process to resolve any disputes that may arise.

Public and Private Sales. Most transactions are between a private seller and private buyer. The contract is between the parties directly involved and any disputes that arise are between the buyer and seller. There is a growing trend, however, for purchases to be made through online auctions. This is a very different process and the risks for buyers can be higher. The information provided by a seller is limited and there is little availability, if any, for medical reviews, much less a trial period. In a public auction, the buyer enters into a contract with the auction company not the seller. Those agreements are designed to protect the auction house from claims by unhappy buyers and generally leave buyers with little or no remedy for a problematic purchase. Before you make a purchase through a public auction, you should have a competent attorney review the documents so that you know what your rights and obligations are before moving forward.

Multiple Owners. Co-ownership of horses has been common in racing for decades and it is increasingly common in high-end sport horses. There are a variety of legal structures used in putting those deals together. The type of agreement and the relative rights and duties of each owner depends on a number of factors. If two people are actively going to support the horse and enjoy riding and working with the horse, then a simple partnership agreement and joint purchase agreement can be used. However, if the horse is involved in breeding, racing or competitions and there are multiple owners, a limited liability company with syndication and management agreements are required. Some of these arrangements involve significant tax and investment issues. Buyers looking to purchase horses in these situations should confer with their attorney and tax professional.

Purchasing a horse is a challenging legal event and deserves significant attention to detail. By using practical and well-prepared agreements, buyers can protect their interests effectively and then confidently turn their attention to the extraordinary relationships and joys that come with owning a horse.

Jim Ritchie is head of Ritchie & Associates, LLC and an avid horseman. He represents business and equine law clients across the Carolinas. For more information visit tryonequinelaw.com or call 864.527.5955. Š Ritchie & Associates LLC

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New Home for Aiken Steeplechase Aiken Favorite Looks to Future

By Pam Gleason

T

he Aiken Steeplechase has a new home. After several years of searching, the Aiken Steeplechase Association finally found the right property: a 140-acre parcel that sits just at the edge of the city limits. With the help of the City of Aiken, the association was able to put together a deal to purchase the property late last year and is now in the process of creating a state-of-the-art steeplechase facility. In addition to the track itself, the new grounds will have an announcer’s tower and ample room for various tents – for stabling, viewing and the like – as well as a spacious infield, acres of parking, and at least 25% more space along the track itself for railside spectating than it has today. This is a particular boon for the association, since the Aiken Steeplechase is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and is always oversubscribed.

“Our immediate mission is to keep steeplechase alive in Aiken and to give back to the community,” says Paul Sauerborn, who is the president of the Aiken Steeplechase Association. The Aiken Steeplechase Association is a 501c(3) charitable organization that has benefitted the Aiken community in several ways. One is by providing a popular sporting event that brings people together and adds to Aiken’s charms.

The other is by raising money for various other local charities.

“We’ve given back over a million and a half to other charities,” says Sauerborn. “We don’t tout that, but we have: Helping Hands, United Way, Hitchcock Woods, the Cumbee Center, the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame, and so on. We don’t do that because we have to. We do it because we want to. We want to perpetuate steeplechase spring and fall, and to promote the community. It’s all about the community.”

Steeplechasing has a long and varied history in Aiken. Some of the original founders of the old Aiken Winter Colony were dedicated steeplechasing trainers and riders. These include Thomas Hitchcock, Sr., who owned and trained steeplechasing horses in the first decades of the 20th century and was often the leading steeplechase owner in the country. Ambrose Clark, who owned a winter home in Aiken, rode in races as a young man and then became a celebrated owner. He and his wife Meg are among a very small number of Americans who have owned a horse that won the British Grand National. They achieved this feat with Kellsboro Jack in 1933. Back in the United States, Clark’s steeplechase horses were often piloted by his nephew Pete Bostwick, who was also a flat jockey, an international polo player and a mainstay at Aiken Polo Club.

During the height of the Aiken Winter Colony in the 1920s and 1930s, many people from the steeplechasing world spent the winter in town keeping themselves and their horses fit for the summer season.

Thomas Hitchcock started his young steeplechasing horses at his Cedar Creek Farm about 10 miles out of town, and then conditioned them on the Ridge Mile Track in the Hitchcock Woods, which he built specifically for them. Other parts of the Woods such as the Cuthbert Track, had jumps that were designed to teach the horses to be bold and jump cleanly. Hitchcock and his steeplechasing friends all used the Woods for training. Their names are legendary in American steeplechasing history: Temple Gwathemy, Rigan McKinney, and so on. These people often also rode with the Aiken Hounds, giving hunts something of the character of steeplechase races themselves, according to Harry Worcester Smith, a steeplechase enthusiast who wrote the book Aiken Life and Sport (1935).

In 1929, the Camden Steeplechase Association was formed, which spurred Aiken’s steeplechasing population to follow suit, creating the Aiken Steeplechase Association in 1930. The first official contest was the Aiken Hunt Race, a three-mile long charge through the Woods on March 14, 1930 – two weeks before the inaugural running of the Camden Cup on March 22 of that year. The Aiken Hunt Race

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was repeated the following year and jump races quickly became an important part of the Aiken spring calendar, along with such events as the Aiken Horse Show in the Woods. In due course, the races were recognized by the National Steeplechase Association, and were moved to the Aiken Mile Track, where brush and timber hurdles were set up.

Horses from Camden regularly shipped in to compete against their Aiken neighbors, while Aiken’s horses challenged the Camdenites at their annual meet in Camden.

But then came World War II and the end of the Aiken steeplechasing tradition. Other horse sports thrived in Aiken both during and after the war, notably flat racing training, and later polo. But it wasn’t until 1967 that the Aiken Steeplechase Association was revived, thanks to the efforts of Ford Conger, Charlie Bird, Pete Bostwick, Mack Miller and Paul Mellon, among others. The first race meet of the second iteration of the Aiken Steeplechase Association took place on April 8, on a seven furlong course laid out on the property now called Bruce’s Field.

At the time, the land was owned by Frank Manheim and was known as the Ambrose Clark schooling grounds. That first meet attracted some 50 horses from all around the region and was declared a success.

Steeplechasing was back in Aiken.

Over the years, the Aiken Steeplechase, soon recognized as the second leg of the Aiken Triple Crown, became more and more popular. By the late 1990s, it was already showing signs of outgrowing its original course, which had been re-christened Ford Conger Field in the early 1990s. The spring steeplechase had become a cherished annual rite, and there was a waiting list for railside tailgating spaces, which were reserved months, and then years, in advance. When a space became available, it was offered to people on the waiting list through a lottery system.

The association began selling tailgating spaces a row back from the rail, and those were quickly filled as well. Parking became a problem. Not only did steeplechase watchers always take every available spot on its grounds, the organization started having to lease space on Powderhouse Polo Field across the street for overflow. It was clear that it was time for the steeplechase to find a new home, and the search began.

That new home is ideally located, according to Paul Sauerborn. It sits at the corner of Old Wagener Road and Rudy Mason Parkway (aka the bypass) and, when finished, will be accessible by four entrances as opposed to the three at the current track. It is close to downtown, and convenient to the highway. The property is large enough to accommodate all the parking that the organization anticipates needing, as well as everything else required to put on a large event, while still maintaining a wide swath of trees around the perimeter, providing for privacy and insulating the event from the sounds and sights of traffic and the city.

Even more important, the track itself will be a mile long, creating more space for railside parking, as well as a better experience for the steeplechasers.

“The track will be a tri-oval shape,” Sauerborn explains. This is a configuration partway between an oval and a triangle that is often used for automobile racetracks. It has advantages for spectators because it provides fans with more forward sight lines to the action. It is a more horse-friendly shape than a traditional oval because it allows for wider and more sweeping turns. Since negotiating sharp turns on a track are a factor in many racing accidents, a tri-oval shape is considered to be safer.

The design was created with the input of horsemen and of the National Steeplechase Association, and will be unique. “They’re all different,” says Paul of steeplechase tracks. “There are no rules to follow about how you lay them out.”

The property where the track is being constructed was once a part of a large tract owned by the Satcher family, the owners of Satcher Ford

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in Graniteville. It was farmed for many years, but had been left vacant for a quarter of a century. As a result, when the Aiken Steeplechase Association acquired it (with the help of a $1 million grant from the City of Aiken), it was overgrown with volunteer pines, shrubs and other vegetation. The first job was to clear the land, which was done over the past few months. Grading will come next, followed by creating the track itself, installing irrigation and other necessities, and finally putting in grass, which the association hopes to be able to do this May. If all goes according to plan, the new track will be ready for its first races in the about a year.

association and in the project. “We have a great relationship with the city; we have a great relationship with the NSA [National Steeplechase Association].” He says.

In the immediate future, steeplechasing will be on hold in Aiken, since the Aiken Fall Steeplechase (scheduled for the end of October) has been canceled due to COVID restrictions. Assuming that the pandemic dissipates, steeplechasing will be back at Bruce’s Field in the spring of 2021. When the new facility is finished, the association expects to have a grand opening celebration in advance of its inaugural races.

The new steeplechase track will ensure that steeplechasing will have

Paul Sauerborn and Jessica Miller at the site of the recently cleared steeplechase property.

Jessica Miller, who is the event manager of the steeplechase, says that when the facility is finished it will also be available for other entities to use. Aiken Steeplechase holds two race meets – one in the spring and the other in the fall – so during the remainder of the year, the steeplechase grounds will be an open space that could accommodate another type of community event. “We could have music festivals; we talked about a balloon festival,” she says. Other possibilities include partnering with a polo club to construct a tournament field on the infield, or establishing other riding amenities such as trails through the woods that surround the track.

“There are a lot of possibilities here,” says Paul, who gives credit to the City of Aiken for being so helpful and for believing in the steeplechase

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a permanent home in Aiken. It also adds to a growing number of top class equestrian facilities that have been developed or improved in Aiken over the past decade, catering to a wide variety of different disciplines. Several years ago, the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce commissioned a study to determine whether or not it would be a good idea to construct a dedicated public horse park in Aiken. It was an issue that had passionate advocates on every side. One argument against building a horse park was that Aiken, with its plethora of equestrian areas, was itself essentially a horse park. The new steeplechase facility will add one more amenity to that park, ensuring that Aiken continues to be an equestrian paradise for many years to come.

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Classifieds For Rent

Barn and Paddocks. 6-7 stall barn, 2 large grass paddocks (+/- 6 acres total), runins. ½ mile track. Large 8 acre exercise/ practice field with hill and flat area for jumps/conditioning etc. Adjacent to polo field. Experienced onsite owner. Located near Wagener, 15 minutes from eventing venues. Private and scenic. Pricing from $975 for entire barn/paddocks.

Also available: Feeding, stall cleaning, blanketing, turn-out.

803-646-8350 overbrook@rocketmail.com.

BOARDING/TURNOUT/ TRAINING Chime Ridge Stables. 803-5083760. Please leave message.

Heart Horse Stables has roomy individual pasture boarding with 12 x 12 run-in shelters. Owners on site. Just over the Aiken line in Windsor. Arena, round pen, trails. $350/mo 704-288-7385 www.Sporting Days Farm.com.

3549 Charleston Hwy, Aiken, SC 29801 - 5.5 miles from Aiken By-Pass. Offers year round, seasonal or short term boarding as well as dry stalls. 150 acres with trails and practice areas. USEF/ USEA Horse Trials in the winter, schooling shows. Visit our website to see all that it offers in 2020. sdaikenht@aol.com 610 613 2010 Horse boarding in Windsor, SC carriage driving community.

Lovely, low country setting. 12x12 stalls connected to 2 acre fields and a short term paddock with shelter available. Jog’lin Board Farm Contact Lisa Whitcomb 414-477-9419 HAY Hoss Luva Hay. Exceptional quality local Coastal Bermuda Hay and Alfalfa mix from out of state. Competitively priced. Will deliver state-wide. Satisfaction

Guaranteed. Jim McClain: 803.247.4803 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 HORSES/PETS & SERVICES Selection of kind, safe former polo ponies. Sound easy, no spook excellent trail horses. For more info call 803 295 8687 Trinity Farms Terriers: Irish Russell Terriers & Norfolk Terriers. Old World, Healthy 100 year old Bloodlines with proven calmer dispositions. Health & Dispositions guaranteed.

Preservation breeders for 48 years.

Donna Fitzpatrick 803-648-3137 easyjacks.com, trinityfarmskennel. com .

RENTALS Small efficiency cottage & stable for rent. Large stalls, rolling pasture & paddocks, 300 acres of trails, X- country course, stadium area, hot and cold water wash stall, nestled in horse subdivision.

15 min north of downtown Aiken. Cottage $600 per month, stall $185 per month. Possible part-time barn work for qualified person.

Please call or text: 262-844-8734 Cozy, cute carriage house for rent on Hitchcock Woods on iconic equestrian estate. 1BR/1BA. Sleeps 4. $125/night. European style barn with soaring ceilings.

3 stalls available (self care) $20/night per horse. 5 min to

downtown Aiken and close to all horse venues. Perfect for female solo travelers. Monthly discounts avail. www.StayAiken.com Horse boarding in Windsor, SC carriage driving community.

Lovely, low country setting. 12x12 stalls connected to 2 acre fields and a short term paddock with shelter available. Jog-in Board Farm Contact Lisa Whitcomb 414-477-9419 TACK & APPAREL Aiken Horse Blanket Couture.

Creative coolers; your colors.

Creative equine-ware. Tack covers/carry bags Saddle pad enhancements. Blanket wash/ waterproof . Blanket repair.

AikenHorseBlanket.com. Elisa Denaburg. 803-640-3211 The Saddle Doctor. Saddlery and harness repair. 544 Two Notch Rd. at the Aiken Training Track.

HollyMacSpencer@aol.com.

Polo Trailer $11,500

1988, 4 Star slant rear load, gooseneck. All aluminum, Large tack/dressing room, refrigerator, rear equipment storage room.

Also available: All polo tack: $3,800

631-722-4816

or lilady299@gmail.com

Advertising in The Aiken Horse

DIRECTORY LISTING ADS: $25 per issue CLASSIFIED ADS are $25 for the first 30 words & 40 cents for every word or $90 for the year (6 issues.) thereafter. Add $5 for blind classified. BUSINESS CARDS: $65 per issue or $280 for the year (6 issues.)

PHOTO CLASSIFIEDS for horses: $35; Limit 30 words & one picture DISPLAY ADS are available in a range of PHOTO CLASSIFIEDS for real estate, etc. sizes. For a detailed rate sheet and $45; Limit 60 words & one picture. publication schedule, visit our website: BOXED CLASSIFIEDS: add $5 to your total TheAikenHorse.com

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

Pay online: TheAikenHorse.com or call us: 803.643.9960

Advertise in the December-January issue! Deadline November 20, 2020 Publication date December 4, 2020

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Directory of Services BARNS,CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING G. L. Williams & Daughter. Serving the CSRA for over 52 years.

Specializing in hauling, grading, clearing, property maintenance, and excavation.We provide everything from several types of fill dirt, top soil,compost, mortar sands, crushed asphalt/concrete, to screenings and a variety of rocks.Free Estimates Available (803)6633715 Certified DBE.WOSB. www.glwilliamstrucking.com BLANKET CLEANING & REPAIR Aiken Horse Blanket Couture. Please see our business card ad on page 81. Elisa: 803-640-3211; elisa@aikenhorseblanket.com BOARDING/TURNOUT/TRAINING/SALES Chime Ridge Stables. Stalls available, partial or self care. Fun, friendly, adult atmosphere. Convenient to town, South Aiken 803-5083760.

Heart Horse Stables has roomy individual pasture boarding with 12 x 12 run-in shelters. Owners on site. Just over the Aiken line in Windsor. Arena, round pen, trails. $350/mo 704-288-7385 Horse boarding in Windsor, SC carriage driving community. Lovely, low country setting. 12x12 stalls connected to 2 acre fields and a short term paddock with shelter available. Jog’lin Board Farm Contact Lisa Whitcomb 414-477-9419 www.Sporting Days Farm.com. 3549 Charleston Hwy, Aiken, SC 29801 - 5.5 miles from Aiken By-Pass. Offers year round, seasonal or short term board as well as dry stalls. 150 acres with trails and practice areas. USEF/USEA Horse Trials in the winter, schooling shows. Visit our website to see all that it offers in 2020. sdaikenht@ aol.com - 610 613 2010 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 highquality 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. 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. vaughnequestrian.com (603)-785-0435 COMPANION ANIMALS, CARE & SERVICES Trinity Farms Terriers: Irish Russell Terriers & Norfolk Terriers.

Old World, Healthy 100 year old Bloodlines with proven calmer dispositions. Health & Dispositions guaranteed. Preservation breeders for 48 years. Donna Fitzpatrick 803-648-3137 easyjacks. com, trinityfarmskennel.com DENTISTRY MidAtlantic Equine Dentistry :Mike Cissell DVM, MS, DACVS-LA: Excellence in equien oral health. midaltanticequinedentistry.com; maed.aiken@gmail.com. (928) 458-4529.

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. aikensaddlery.com

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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 statewide. Fully enclosed truck. Satisfaction guaranteed. Jim McClain.

803.247.4803.

INSURANCE Betsy Minton, Sterling Thompson Equine, 803-617-8353. Now writing homeowners insurance for private residences. No horses required but certainly welcomed. Access to top-notch unerwriters offering customized, affordable coverage. Still delivering excellent competitive insurance options for your horses and farms. betsyminton@sterlingthompson.com. Sterling Thompson Equine: 800 942 4258 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! 803-649-5141 INSTRUCTION/LESSONS Amy McElroy. USDF Gold Medalist and USEF S judge. Instruction and training at all levels. Visit amymcelroy.com or call 803.6404207.

Aiken Horsemanship Academy. Your naturally inspired adult learning resource! Offering Clinics, Courses, Starting Young Horses, Evaluations, and Lessons. JulieRobins.com 803-220-1768.

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

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! carolinahorseproperties.com. (803) 648-8660 Sharer Dale, Meybohm. “Where town meets country.” sharerdale@ gmail.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. southernhorsefarms.com. 803-215-4734.

TACK & TACK CLEANING/REPAIR The Saddle Doctor. Saddlery and harness repair. 544 Two Notch Rd. HollyMacSpencer@aol.com. 803.642.5166.

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Northrup Knox Cup 12-goal fi

inal at New Bridge Polo Club

Photography by Gary Knoll

Aiken Area Calendar of Events

OCTOBER

Sep 16-Oct 3 USPA National President’s Cup Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Haley Bryan, 803.215.3577, HBryan2485@aol.com, newbridgepolo.com Sep 29-Oct 11 USPA Governors Cup 6 Goal. Aiken Polo Club, Aiken. Tiger Kneece, 803.646.3301, tigerkneece@bellsouth. net. Aikenpolo.org, info 803.643.3611 Sep 29-Oct 11 Wagener 4 Goal Tournament. Wagener Polo Club, Aiken. Billy Raab, 561.719.3318, wagenerpolo.com Sep 30-Oct 4 Tryon Fall HJ III. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon. coth.com Sep 30-Oct 18 USPA Copper Cup Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Haley Bryan, 803.215.3577, HBryan2485@aol.com, newbridgepolo.com 2-3 RFD’s American Qualifier “The Tribute Race”, hosted by Good Times Barrel Racing. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, georgiahorsepark.com 2-4 USEA/USEF Horse Trials. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 Highway 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, poplarplacefarm.com 3 Lowcountry Hunt Fall Hunter Pace. $55pp/$30/jr. Longfield Stables at Palmetto Bluff, Blufton, SC. thelowcountryhunt.com 3-4 USPA NYTS Qualifier. Aiken Polo Club, Aiken. Tiger Kneece, 803.646.3301, tigerkneece@bellsouth.net. Aikenpolo. org, info 803.643.3611 3-4 Michael Pollard Clinic. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 3-4 PSJ Oktoberfest. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC. 828.859.9021,

horseshow@fence.org, psjshows.com

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Aiken Women’s Challenge. Aiken Polo Club, Aiken. Tiger Kneece, 803.646.3301, tigerkneece@bellsouth.net. Aikenpolo. org, info 803.643.3611 6-11 Tryon Fall HJ IV. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon.coth.com 7 Chat Hills Twilight #8 Show. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 7-25 USPA Association Cup Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Haley Bryan, 803.215.3577, HBryan2485@aol.com, newbridgepolo.com 8 Rick Sauerman and Leslie Olsen Clinic. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 9-10 Sorting (RSNC). BSC Arena, 3976 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA. Cliff Chancey, 706.840.3971. rsnc.us 9-11 Palmetto Paint Horse Association Horse Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. 803.486.4938, scequinepark.com 10 Jumping Branch Derby. Jumping Branch Farm, 179 Fox Pond Road, Aiken. Tim Shaw: 240.460.1094, timshaw628@gmail. com. jbfarm.com 10-11 Chat Hills 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 10-11 Southeast Regional Championship Horse Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, psjshows.com 10-11 WHES October Horse Trials. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, carolinahorsepark.com 5-11

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10-11 Carolina Carriage Club Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC., fence.org 10-11 Paradise Farm Hunter Trials and Dog Show. Paradise Farm, 4069 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lellie Ward, 803.640.4918, paradisefarmaiken.com 13-18 Tryon Fall HJ V. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon.coth.com 13-25 George S Patton 6 Goal. Aiken Polo Club, Aiken. Tiger Kneece, 803.646.3301, tigerkneece@bellsouth.net. Aikenpolo. org, info 803.643.3611 14 Schooling Dressage Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com 14 Chat Hills Twilight #9 Show. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 14-25 USPA Constitutional Cup 6 Goal Tournament. Wagener Polo Club, Aiken. Billy Raab, 561.719.3318, wagenerpolo.com

15-25 October at Bruce’s Field I&II. Aiken Horse Park, 931 Powderhouse Rd SE, Aiken. 803.226.0121, aikenhorsepark. org 16-18 Four Beats for Pleasure Horse Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. 803.486.4938, scequinepark.com 17 Spooktacular Classic Horse Show. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 Highway 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, poplarplacefarm. com 17 Cats on the Mat. 11-12pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road, Aiken. 803.648.6863, letlovelive.org 17-18 Stable View Eventing Academy Horse Trials. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@ stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com

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17-18 H. J. Fox Halloween Classics I & II. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, georgiahorsepark.com 17-18 TRHC Horse Trials. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC., fence.org 20-25 Tryon Fall HJ VI. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon.coth.com 21-Nov 1 USPA Bronze Trophy Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Haley Bryan, 803.215.3577, HBryan2485@aol.com, newbridgepolo.com 21-Nov 1 Wagener 6 Goal Tournament. Wagener Polo Club, Aiken.

Billy Raab, 561.719.3318, wagenerpolo.com 23-25 Tryon Fall Dressage III. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon. coth.com 23-25 BRHJA Classic Horse Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC., fence.org 23-25 SCQHA Spooktacular Horse Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. 803.486.4938, scequinepark.com 24 PSJ Just For Fun Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, psjshows.com 24 Mini Horse Trials/Combined Test/Dressage Show. The Vista Schooling and Event Center, 859 Old Tory Trail, Aiken.

803.262.5263, schoolthevista.com 24 The Fourth Annual Augusta Polo Cup - Aiken Style. Gates open 1pm. Game 3pm. Historic Whitney Field, Aiken. susie. kneece@burncenters.com, 803.646.3302. augustapolocup.com 24 Chat Hills Twilight #10 Show. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 24-25 Tall Boots HJ Show. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, carolinahorsepark.com 24-25 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, Chatthillseventing.com 25 Fun Open Horse Show. Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken. Lara Anderson: 803. 215.6590, fullgallopfarm@yahoo. com. fullgallopfarm.com 27-Nov 7 Jake Kneece Memorial 4 Goal. Aiken Polo Club, Aiken.

Tiger Kneece, 803.646.3301, tigerkneece@bellsouth.net.

Aikenpolo.org, info 803.643.3611 28-Nov 1 Chat Hills Hunter Jumper Show. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 28-Nov 1 USPA Masters Cup Tournament. New Bridge Polo Club, 862 New Bridge Road, Aiken. Haley Bryan, 803.215.3577, HBryan2485@aol.com, newbridgepolo.com 30-Nov 1 Tryon Fall HJ VII. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon.coth. com 30-Nov 1 Palmetto Paint Horse Association Horse Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. 803.486.4938, scequinepark.com 31 Schooling Jumper Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com 31 FRC Dressage Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC., fence.org

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CEC HJ Show. Springdale Stables, 1265 Sanders Creek Road, Camden, SC. Candi Cocks, 803.243.4417. camdenequinecircuit.com 31-Nov 1 PSJ Highfields November Classic Horse Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, psjshows.com

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Aiken International CSI2*. Aiken Horse Park, 931 Powderhouse Rd SE, Aiken. 803.226.0121, aikenhorsepark. org Tryon Young Horse Show Finals. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon.coth.com Camden Winter Classic Horse Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. 803.486.4938, scequinepark.com Aiken Driving Club Fall Weekend of Driving. Details TBA. aikendrivingclub.com Fall Hunter Pace. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken.

484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com PSJ Just For Fun Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, psjshows.com Belle Meade Opening Hunt. Thomson, GA. 706.595.2525, bellemeadehounds.com SPEA WHES November Horse Trials. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, carolinahorsepark.com Whiskey Road Foxhounds Opening Meet. Aiken. Betsy Minton (hunt sec.): 803.617.8353, whiskeyroadfoxhounds. com ADC Pleasure Drive at the Audubon. Silver Bluff Audubon, 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC. aikendrivingclub.com Thrift Store Party. 6-8pm. SPCA Albrecht Center, 199 Willow Run Road, Aiken. 803.648.6863, letlovelive.org Schooling Dressage Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com Greenies Play by reservation. Sporting Days Farm, 3549 Charleston Highway, Aiken. Text Only: 803.226.2024

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12-15 Tryon Tryon International Three-Day Event. Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon.coth.com 13-14 Sorting (RSNC). BSC Arena, 3976 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA. Cliff Chancey, 706.840.3971. rsnc.us 13-14 Clemson Fall Classic Academy Horse Show. T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena, 1101 West Queen Street, Pendleton, SC. Robert Obermiller: 828.674.1758,

13-15 Equus Events -Zone 4 Finals North. Aiken Horse Park, 931 Powderhouse Rd SE, Aiken. 803.226.0121, aikenhorsepark. org 13-15 Tryon Fall Festival . Tryon International Event Center, 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC. 828.863.1000, tryon.coth. com 14 Open Horse Show. Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC., fence.org 14 Harvest Classic Horse Show. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 Highway 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, poplarplacefarm. com 14-15 Stable View Eventing Academy Horse Trials. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@ stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com 14-15 PSJ Horse Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, psjshows.com 14-15 NCDCTA Dressage Show. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, carolinahorsepark.com 16 Whiskey Road Foxhounds Hunter Pace. Aiken. Betsy Minton (hunt sec.): 803.617.8353, whiskeyroadfoxhounds.com 19-22 Mustang Challenge Show. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com 20-21 Easy Bend IPRA Rodeo. T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena, 1101 West Queen Street, Pendleton, SC. Robert Obermiller: 828.674.1758, clemson.edu/extension/garrison 21 Derby Cross and Clear Round Jumper Day. The Vista Schooling and Event Center, 859 Old Tory Trail, Aiken.

803.262.5263, schoolthevista.com 21-22 Athens Area Hunter/Jumper Association Fall Classic and

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2020 Medal Finals. Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, georgiahorsepark.com 22 King Show Horses Equestrian Team Presents “The Fall Classic Western Challenge.” Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers, GA. 770.860.4190, georgiahorsepark.com 22 Whiskey Road Pony Club International Exchange.

Aiken. Betsy Minton (hunt sec.): 803.617.8353, whiskeyroadfoxhounds.com 23-25 23rd Annual Winter Classic WBR League. North Augusta Hippodrome, 5540 Jefferson Davis Highway, North Augusta, SC. Eddie Phelps: 706.832.1537 28 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, Chatthillseventing.com 28-29 Pine Top Thanksgiving Horse Trials. Pine Top Farm, 1432 Augusta Highway, Thomson, GA. PineTopEventing@gmail. com, www.pinetopfarm.com

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December Classic I&II. Aiken Horse Park, 931 Powderhouse Rd SE, Aiken. 803.226.0121, aikenhorsepark.org SCHJA Finale Horse Show. South Carolina Equine Park (SCEP), 443 Cleveland School Road, Camden, SC. 803.486.4938, scequinepark.com Volunteer Invitational Schooling Day. Chattahoochee Hills Eventing - Hosted at the Bouckaert Farm, 9445 Browns Lake Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. 770.892.2117, info@ chatthillseventing.com, Chatthillseventing.com PSJ Just For Fun Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, psjshows.com

Holiday Classic Horse Show. Poplar Place Farm, 8191 Highway 27, Hamilton, GA. 706.681.8748, poplarplacefarm. com 5 USEF/USEA Horse Trials. Sporting Days Farm, 3549 Charleston Highway, Aiken. Text Only: 803.226.2024 5-6 USEF/USDF “Winter Wonderland” Dressage Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@ stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com 5-6 Tall Boots HJ Show. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC. 910.875.2074, carolinahorsepark.com 6 XC School. Sporting Days Farm, 3549 Charleston Highway, Aiken. Text Only: 803.226.2024 11-12 Sorting (RSNC). BSC Arena, 3976 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA. Cliff Chancey, 706.840.3971. rsnc.us 12 PSJ Just For Fun Show. Highfields Event Center, 147 Warehouse Road, Aiken. 803.649.3505, psjshows.com 12-13 Stable View Eventing Academy Horse Trials. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@ stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com 19 Greenies Play by reservation. Sporting Days Farm, 3549 Charleston Highway, Aiken. Text Only: 803.226.2024 26 Stable View Schooling Jumper Show. Stable View, LLC 117 Stable Drive, Aiken. 484.356.3173, info@stableviewfarm.com, stableviewfarm.com 27 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, Chatthillseventing.com 31 Whiskey Road Champagne Trail Ride. Aiken. Betsy Minton (hunt sec.): 803.617.8353, whiskeyroadfoxhounds.com 5

Business Cards

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OutďŹ tting Southeastern Farriers for Over 30 years

GREAT SERVICE AND QUALITY FARRIER SUPPLIES ARE OUR PRIORITY

Aiken, SC

803.685.5101

Columbus, NC 828.894.0280

www.monettafarrier.com

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MyMalvernBank.com

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Index of Advertisers Advertiser

Aiken County Farm Supply Aiken Fine Homes and Land Aiken Horsemanship Academy Aiken Polo Club Aiken Saddlery, Inc. Aiken Thoroughbred HOF American Glory Style American National Insurance Auto Tech Banixx Barnware Be Fly Free Bridle Creek Carolina Company RE Carolina Company RE Charlie Sharpe D & M Partners DFG Stables Epona Equine Divine Equine Rescue of Aiken Estrella Equine Fencing Solutions FITS Equestrian FOTAS Aiken G L Williams and Daughter Gary Knoll Photography Greystone Properties Jill Diaz Polo

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Keller Williams Stinson Keller Williams- Gutierrez Lightning Protection Systems Marrinson Stables Meybohm RE (Sullivan/Turner) Meybohm RE Haslup Meybohm RE Vaillancourt Meybohm RE Vaillancourt New Bridge Polo Club NibbleNet Oak Manor Saddlery Paradise Farm Patty Merli Saddles Progressive Show Jumping, Inc Retired Racehorse Project Shane Doyle South Carolina Equine Park Southern Equine Service SPCA Albrecht Center Sporting Days Farm SQHA Stable View, LLC The Kneaded Edge The Tack Room The Willcox Tod’s Hill/ReMax Tryon Equine Law Wagener Milling

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