Rider Spotlight:
Gonzalo Garcia
Barry’s June Letter
Stable View and Sustainability.
At Stable View, when we sit around, plan, and think about future opportunities for Growth, we keep coming back to Sustainability. We’re invariably drawn to the Sustainability of the Environmentas it relates to Stable View’s 1,000 acres - and the Financial Sustainability of Stable View itself - its Diversification plans. In terms of the Environment, we consider our footprint. Our LEED Gold Pavilion is important - its design is still years ahead of its time with an extraordinary low environmental footprint.
We consider water run off - we keep most of the rain fall that arrives at Stable View.
We also discuss maintenance of the Trails system particularly as we’re using it more and more.
As a part of our environmental efforts, this past winter we conducted eight Controlled Burns. As a direct result, the Stable View 2027 fledged bird population has grown, with increased nesting and fledge activity from Screech Owls, Blue Birds, Red Cockaded Woodpeckers (RCW) and Carolina Chickadees. In 2027, for the first time, all four RCW nests supported fledglings. Additional support for our Controlled Burns project comes from what is likely to be a due to mismanageme looking really good as we ch would be entirely dow ho is doing a Controlled Bu rage the bees
As important as Stable View’s Environmentsl initiatives are, the initiatives and projects we’re undertaking to promote financial sustainability are just as important.
With record HJ Entries, Sponsorship, Spectators and use of The Bistro, Stable View continues to grow.
The 2026 Calendar supports more returning Stable View Events than 2025. 2027 will be busier.
With more Regional and National events, the weekend Calendar is full - we’re now infilling with mid week gatherings and competitions. Recent additions have included Driving, Working Equitation and a couple of Clinics.
As you’d expect, our Accommodations occupancy is at record levels with the five Tiny Homes being [belatedly] ready for occupancy next week.
The Financial Impact of Stable View on Aiken and the surrounding area is significant. It’s estimated that in excess of $50m has been spent as a result of Stable View’s existence.
Our Sustainability plans are our attempt to deliver Stable View’s next $50m!
Q: A great round often looks effortless from the outside— can you share a moment when preparation, partnership, and trust came together in a way that felt truly special?
A: There have been several moments through the years during my career. But if I had to pick one that stands out, it would be when a horse that my grandfather had grown at his breeding farm and I brought up through the levels as a young professional jumped a clear round on his first Grand Prix event though it had a Liverpool combination, being water elements one of the bigger hurdles we had to learn to negotiate through the years.
Q: Hunter/jumper riders spend years refining details that spectators may never notice. What is one subtle skill that you believe makes the biggest difference in the ring?
A: Having tact towards your horse is most important. Feel, balance, calm and suppleness in your own body are required to achieve tact.
Q: Every rider experiences missed distances, rails, and disappointing trips. What has the sport taught you about handling setbacks and coming back stronger?
A: It has taught me that setbacks are opportunities for leaning how to do it better the next time, and that what matters is how you get up and move from them.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a young rider hoping to move up the levels, what would it be and why?
A: To find somebody that has gone through the steps to get where you want to go and let them guide you. Learn from them while being persistent and patient with the process.
Q: What continues to inspire and motivate you to pursue excellence through the challenges, successes, and everyday work that comes with the sport?
A: The desire to continue learning a little more with each horse I work with, so I can be a better horseman and partner as they deserve the best version of me I can give them.
Stable View Partnerships: Barb Gould Uskup
Barb Gould Uskup, an Aiken, South Carolina, real estate agent originally from Chicago's North Shore, started riding at age 2. She recalls riding her first pony, "Cookie", with her dad leading her over her first jump, a log they found in a field…in a Western Saddle no less. And she was smitten.
As her passion for horses continued, she began competing and showing hunters and jumpers, moved up to the United States and International circuits, and eventually competed in a World Cup Final in Tampa, Florida, in 1989. Barb started her professional career in sales with Procter & Gamble. During this time, Barb's passion for horses neverfaltered, and she
opened an equestrian boarding and training facility in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Ultimately, in 1994, Barb combined her passion for horses with her sales expertise and began her real estate career in Barrington, Illinois.
In 1998, Barb began playing competitive polo, which is how she discovered Aiken. During her visits, she fell in love with the quaint, equestrian-focused small town and moved permanently in 2004.
Since her move to Aiken, Barb has continued to play polo, mostly for fun, and develop her real estate career. She is a licensed Broker Associate with the Carolina Real Estate Company and, over the past two decades, has assisted clients in finding their perfect home or farm, designing horse facilities, and creating estates of varying sizes for multiple disciplines. Barb's involvement in numerous home andfarm remodels also included designing awe-inspiring luxury horse ranches for residential use. Part of Barb's mission centers on a client's desire to purchase or build a property that meets not only the individual's needs but also those of their horses.
THE WEATHER (RAIN)
As Global Warming becomes more extreme, the weather is becoming one of the biggest risks to Stable View's business.
A lack of rain, hard ground, a lack of grass, weed infestations, run-off erosion, pooling, and intense heat are increasingly items that we are planning for and mitigating. While over the past few years each of these has become more extreme, each can be planned for and dealt with.
STABLE VIEW SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:
At the core of our grass program is Harrell’s - they do their drops five times a year.
Second is Aeration - more on that later.
Third is 24/7 Irrigation - but without Aeration, the water doesn’t soak in.
Fourth is cutting the grass to the right level - keeps the sun out and the water in.
Without Aeration, the soil goes hard, the roots can’t grow, water cannot penetrate and fertilizer is lost.
Without Aeration, when it rains, the water “sheets off” - goes to lower land. Alternatively, it pools, which makes the ground different from the surrounding land - changes the texture, encourages weeds, and reduces grass growth.
With a thoughtfully designed and implemented Aeration Programas with 24/7 Irrigation - a loosening of the soil encourages deeper root growth, water retention, and fertilizer capture. When
Another consideration is that because of Global Warming, rain will continue to be more intense, occur less often, and when it arrives, be more extreme - it will rain when it’s hot. It will rain when it’s windy. The research I’ve been reading suggests an even more extreme version of what we’ve already been experiencing.
As a result of the above, Stable View has been experimenting with its own equipment. Many, if not most comparable facilities don’t have this equipment. Our three complimentary pieces of Aeration equipment were purchased relatively inexpensively a few years ago. Cost pressures will continue to be a significant burden on many facilities.
Stable View intends to remain ahead of the curve in terms of knowledge, interpretation, and planning.
In essence, Stable View's intention, as described above, is to keep all the rain we can. We need it to be retained in an environment where the soil is porous. That way it will go deeper and be useful longer. That’s our [rain] plan - keep what we get when we get it. Don’t let it “flow” away.
The Debut of Working Equitation
The inaugural Working Equitation show at Stable View took place June 12-14, 2026. The weekend was comprised of a diverse group of competitors from various disciplines, uniting to participate in one of the equestrian world's newest events. This gathering also established a new and vibrant community within Stable View. The next Working Equitation Show will be August 15 - 16, 2026.
Stable View Spotlight: Amanda Campbell
Yoga Instructor at Healing Arts @ Stable View
Q: How did you first discover yoga, and what made you become an instructor?
A: I have always been intrigued about yoga, but in 2017 it became the basis of my fitness journey. I started taking classes at my gym and found a strength and a community of amazing people. We were not the hemp and essential oil crowd, but people who knew the benefits both physical and mentally of practicing yoga. I truly believe it was the catalyst to where I am today. It made me go to the gym, which got me comfortable enough to hit the treadmill, lift weights and start finding joy in moving my body.
I wanted to teach to share that feeling. I know so many people who are hesitant to try yoga and I wanted change that.
Q: As a runner, what are some of the biggest benefits you've personally experienced from incorporating yoga into your training routine?
A: Ankle mobility and breathing! While that seems really minor it is a big deal. A lot of runners have stretches and recovery techniques to help the big muscles that we activate and tear up on our runs. Having a regular yoga practice and being part of a yoga class reminds us to connect to our breath and that when we come back to breathing we can do hard things. Also the movements of most yoga flows help us flex and stretch our ankles with greater intention. When I am not practicing regularly I personally lose mobility in my ankles. .
Q: For someone who has never tried yoga—or thinks they're "not flexible enough"—what would you say to encourage them to come experience your class?
A: My class is about finding joy in movement, strength and mobility. Body type and muscle structure play so much into the ability to touch your toes. I try to make my class about finding the ways to make your body move a bit better and have fun doing it. I try to meet my class where it is, if someone has never done yoga or is intimidated I work to slow down and focus on the poses that allow each person to grow, but are not scary.
Q: What's your favorite yoga pose—and what's one pose that still challenges you?
A: Downward dog is probably my favorite. It is a full body stretch. I love half moon because how it flows into so many things too. My body type makes inversions such as head/hand stands really difficult. I also struggle with arm balances.
Q: What's something people are often surprised to learn about you?
A: That I used to be a horse girl. I grew up riding, and lived on a cattle ranch in Nevada for 13 years.
To sign up for Amanda’s Tuesday evening class at Stable View, click HERE
