June Wnftc at Stable View (1)

Volume 2 Issue 12

Read About the Bistro at Stable View

Meet Event Rider Cole Horn

In this edition you will find: Did You Know?

Barry's Letter..............................................................3 Rider Spotlight: Cole Horn......................................5 Stable View Partnerships: Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt.................................................................8 Lake Girl Wellness Retreat....................................12 Try Out the SV Bistro..............................................15 One Year of HJ In & Out Series............................16 Intercollegiate Corner: UGA .................................17 Stable View Spotlight: Rachel Morrall...............23

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Barry’s June Letter

The recently ordered five Tiny Homes are now here. They’re being furnished, stained, and painted. They’ll then be positioned in the tree line between the Show Stalls and Cross Country Warm Up. They’ll sleep six and the nightly cost will be $200. They’re small, you might say minimalist, but they’re convenient to the Springfield Road Rider Lounge with extra amenities including showers and toilets.

Each tiny home has its own bath, shower, and toilet. They also have covered porches with six Adirondack chairs.

In terms of popularity, The Bistro is knocking the ball out of the

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park. After record days during the recent Dog Show, the daily record for takings was again beaten during the recent HJ Show. With the menu changing regularly, The Bistro has become a popular fixture at Stable View.

Those of you with very keen sight will have noticed that we are close to completing work on the irrigation system around the New Arena.

This will have taken us just over a month. It was a fun and challenging project.

Too many peppers, tomatoes and jalapeños! We got the proportions wrong for our first attempt at raised gardens. We’ll do better next year. This was an excellent opportunity to put our Magic Mix to work.

As you can see, it’s been another busy month at Stable View.

Rider Spotlight: Cole Horn

Photo by Liz Crawley Photography

Cole Horn is no stranger to Stable View. He is a frequent competitor at eventing, hunter/jumper, and dressage shows. Cole began riding when he was only two years old and was thrown on a pony. He primarily is an event rider but has branched out to more disciplines since coming to Aiken.

Last month Cole won the Advanced at the Local Charities Horse Trial with his horse MBF Cooley Permission To Land. Cole shared, “That was a little bit of a redemption ride for me. At the last show which was the April FEI here we had a bit of a runaway problem and got

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into trouble pretty early on course. So it was pretty special to be able to come back with a better plan, a new plan, and put it into action. The goal wasn’t necessarily to win, but everything fell into place and it happened, so I’ll take it. It was a good weekend.”

Cole was asked if there was anything he wanted to share about any of his horses. He said. “They’re all pretty special.

Obviously my big red horse, MBF Cooley Permission to Land, is very special to me. I’ve had him since he was a three-year-old.

He’s very talented and the most willing kind animal. I think he’s just incredible. He’s a character though and is the boss on the farm. We all work for him. He’s quite special to be around and I’m lucky to have met him so early on and the choice that I did to take a shot on a three-year-old.”

Cole was asked what his favorite part about Stable View is. He responded. “What Isn’t? I mean, I love the arenas. I think that the availability of schooling competitions are awesome. To be able to have schooling competitions at this level of facility is pretty much

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non-existent elsewhere. I think the cross country is great. It runs well. The ground is always perfect and it’s very consistent. The questions on the courses are very fair, but challenging enough that if you’re looking to go and take on some long formats and you’re able to set your horses up in a way that they’ll be able to do it with confidence. I think this has become a pretty consistent final destination for a lot of big horses as prep runs for their big goals for the year. I think it’s very lucky to have this in the backyard.”

Photo by Liz Crawley Photography

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Stable View Partnerships: Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt

Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt is one of the top real estate agents in Aiken. She is an equestrian herself, giving her in-site knowledge and understanding of equestrian desires. Deirdre got her real estate license in 2003. At that time she joined Eulalie Salley Company, which was the leading real estate company in Aiken at the time. She shared, “The team there could not have been more welcoming to a new Realtor. Prior to that I was an investment account executive with one of Canada’s leading investment companies. But the real estate fit was perfect with my family having deep roots in Aiken. It’s been a wonderful ride ever since.

Aiken was really going through a second ‘winter colony’, the next generation of families wanting to settle here and put down roots

seasonally or year-round.”

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Deirdre began riding as a baby. Growing up, she used to sit atop her father’s big Irish hunt horse. She said, “My family was all amateur horse people, which made it possible for my brother Dacre, sister Tara and myself to have access to our own ponies right from the very begnining. It was a real privilege.”

Deirdre and her husband Michel, have been a long time supporter of Stable View. She shared, “Not long after Stable View was purchased by the Olliff family, they started reaching out to the community to become involved. I was well established as an equestrian realtor as well as an eventer, and I saw an opportunity to support them, and also help promote myself within our community. They’ve been very supportive and it’s a

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great facility. It’s a perfect match and mutually satisfying both as a friendship and the perfect professional relationship. Each complement one another entirely.”

Outside of real estate, Deirdre loves to ride. She also loves the outdoor lifestyle and is very active. She said, “I try to take advantage of everything Aiken has to offer. From outdoor sports and activities (Michel and I play pickleball regularly), to our vibrant arts community. And I love being with my family. Just like all of us, it’s always a balance between working and everything else. We are blessed to be able to lead a balanced life in Aiken.”

Deirdre was asked her favorite part about Aiken. She shared, “The equestrian community that welcomes all disciplines, and I love being able to go to work in my riding clothes! Aiken is a community with a tradition of welcoming all equestrians and making everyone feel welcome. It’s a generous community with a lot of philanthropy. We would not be where we are as a community today if we didn’t have the giving mentality. Between tech, the university, the arts, and the outdoors, it’s a very international eclectic community.” As much as she loves Aiken, she truly loves helping her clients buy and sell their homes. She said, “When clients work with me, my overriding goal is to help them find a

property which is truly suitable for them. And that they can feel 11 like they are getting full service care. I treat my clients with the kind of respect that I treat my friends and family. It’s a 24/7 experience when they work with me and my team. The quality of my team truly contributes to the overall experience. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by a team of amazing women both here in Aiken and further afield.”

Deidre’s sponsored jump being used in competition

Deirdre also shared, “It’s truly all about helping others. The nice thing about living and working for so long now in Aiken, my rolodex is full of painters, contractors, vets, dentists, etc. I feel like I am one of the unofficial ambassadors for Aiken and our community. I want everybody to be successful and prosper, and I want to be involved in the world that I live in. I’m fortunate that living in Aiken allows me to do that, and introduce people to my Aiken. It’s just a lifestyle of being of service to people.” Stable View thanks Deirdre for her continued support.

Lake Girl Wellness Retreat

The third weekend of May not only saw Stable View host “Do Dah Day” Dressage Show but also a Lake Girl Wellness Retreat. This is the first overnight wellness retreat that Stable View has hosted.

Stephanie Everett is the coordinator of Lake Girl Retreats. After fifteen years in public education, Stephanie launched Total Evolution Health & Transition in 2017 with a clear and personal mission: to empower women to reclaim their wellness and initiate lasting transformation—both physically and in the stories they tell and live themselves. Stephanie shared, “This idea was born from my own personal transformation. Twenty years ago, I was struggling with lifestyle-related health issues and was double my size. As a wife, mother, and working professional, I intimately

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understand how difficult it can be to prioritize wellness—and even more so to sustain healthy changes—that is why Lake Girl Retreats exist.”

For the Stable View Retreat, she picked a range of activities designed to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

On the first day they had a functional strength and mobility training session held on a deck overlooking a beautiful pond with a fountain. Stephanie said, “We engaged in deep-dive group sessions focused on upgrading both biology and biography, guiding participants to embed Thrive 9 habits that support energy, mood, and cognitive function, no matter their starting point. I also included an informal session on creating simple, nourishing meals in addition to providing real-food supplements and education for guests to try (if they wanted) to support their overall health.” In addition, there were scenic hikes on the Stable View trails and a yoga and sound bath session with Elena Bradford at the new Healing Arts Studio. As Stephanie said, “The entire experience was rooted in restoration, empowerment, and intentional growth. The retreats are

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more than a weekend away—they’re an immersive reset and a 14 launchpad for sustainable change. At the heart of it all is Total Evolution, my commitment to helping people evolve—without gimmicks or quick fixes. Just real, relatable, and powerful tools to support lasting transformation.”

Stable View enjoyed being the host venue to the Lake Girl Retreat.

Stephanie shared, “My favorite part about Stable View is the deep sense of serenity and peace that settles into your soul the moment you arrive. There’s something about passing through those gates that naturally invites you to exhale and relax. The entire experience—from the charm of the property to the warmth of the owners and meals from the chef—was truly special.

For those who missed it, join us for the next Stable View Retreat: SoulShed at Healing Arts Retreat October 16th-19th. Found out more and register by clicking this link.

Try Out the Stable View Bistro

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The Bistro at Stable View launched last Summer and has only continued to grow. It is now open Mondays-Fridays 8am-4pm and most show weekends (with the exception of recognized horse trials). The menu has grown, but still includes classics such as the Stable View Burger and Breakfast Sandwich. The menu has expanded to also include gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Orders can be placed online at this link or at one of the kiosks located at the Rider’s Lounge, Ollie’s inn, and the Show Office (when open). Orders can be picked up at Ollie’s Inn which is located on the lower level of the back of the Pavilion.

One Year of HJ In & Out Series

The 2025 In & Out III marked one year of running this show series. This show also was the biggest In & Out yet. This series offers Outreach Classes, a $2,500 1.25M Welcome, a $5,000 1.25M Mini Prix, Derbies. Classics, and up to $20,000 of prize money in total. With the addition of the New Oval Arena last year all arenas are central to each other allowing for an easier flow for trainers.

On Saturday afternoon Olivia Walt and Kiruso H won the Welcome Stakes. On Sunday Waylon Roberts and CS Carrera owned by Sher Schwartz won the Mini Prix. In the $500 Hunter Derby (2'6"/3')

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Erin Holsenback and Patrice Jennings-Rado’s Thank you Kindly turn first place. In the $500 Mini Derby (2'/2'3"), Meghana Teppara and her own Lunch Money took home the blue ribbon.

There are still five more In & Outs left on the schedule for the year. The dates are as follows: June 27th-June 29th, August 1st- 3rd, September 12th-14th, October 31st - November 2nd, and November 21st-23rd.

Don’t miss out on your chance to compete in this new unrecognized show in a professional environment!

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Intercollegiate Corner: UGA

UGA had a big weekend at the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship. Their Arch Rivals team not only placed second in team competition, but UGA as a whole took home the coveted Spirit Competition win. UGA’s name will be added to the Spirit Perpetual Trophy. In addition, they got to take home a small trophy, and each student received a Stable View saddle pad.

Nina Braun shared, “Winning the Spirit Award was hands down such an amazing experience!! As the Social Chair, being in charge of decorating for this event and being a senior on the team it made it

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even more meaningful. It really showed how much effort the whole team put in over the past few weeks and months leading up to the big night.”

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Her teammate Maddie Maier said,“My first time at champs was an incredible experience.

Everywhere we went the college teams were overflowing with positive energy and team spirit. My teammates, however, are what made the experience truly unforgettable. Receiving the spirit award was a massive accomplishment for the team- as we’d worked very hard to show pride as we repped our UGA colors. It is incredibly rare to have a team with the leadership, engagement, and determination that this team exhibited daily.”

The Spirit Contest had several elements that were considered in the committee's decision. One of which was the two-phase hobby horse contest. Julia Kopp represented UGA in the show jumping portion. Course Designer, Brody Robertson, designed the track.

When asked about her experience, Julia said, “I was so nervous for20 my part in the show jumping hobby horse competition, but I ran my little heart out and when I finished I just look over to see my two teammates who were in the ring with me screaming and jumping up cheering me on. I had such a blast in that competition, and I love sharing that moment with my friends. We were all so nervous the entire time we were watching the XC portion and I think we all left a piece of ourselves at the finish line standing there cheering on our other teammate to also come in first! This was the BEST experience I had with the team over the weekend, and even if we didn’t win the spirit award I felt so much team spirit between everyone that night that we already won in my heart.” Julia won the show jumping phase of the hobby horse contest with a time almost two seconds ahead of second place.

Ansley Carroll was on the Reserve placing team. She shared, “Intercollegiate Eventing Championships 2025 was the best one yet! It was such a fantastic weekend! I was delighted for all of our hard work, both team wise and our individual horse/rider partnerships, to have paid off this year! We have always put in so much time and effort months in advance of champs, so it was very surreal to hear us announced as the spirit award winners! To be the final ride that locked in UGA Arch Rivals to be Reserve Champions, although very stressful, was so rewarding! I am so happy that our seniors, who have been such crucial members of our team for many years, had their last competition as dawgs be so special! I can’t wait for next year!”

Teammate Crockett Miller shared, “Intercollegiate championships was the best team atmosphere I’ve yet to experience in the horse world. I was lucky to compete in the first East Coast Youth Team Challenge in 2021 but even that paled in comparison. Getting to see friends from Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky, etc. while also

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getting to board next to my teammates that I see around campus was an incredible experience. Our president opened up her home in Aiken to us so not only were we cheering each other on during the day, but we were recapping our rides at night which brought us all a little closer. Everyone brought a positive and energetic passion to the barn every single morning, not a single person wasn’t on board to win the Spirit Award if that meant pulling our massive U G A letters back into the barn for the fifth time to avoid them getting rained on. A major shout out to our university’s “spike squad” for lending us their bedazzled gear so that we were all decked out in red and black whenever we left the barn. We’d all trained for years for the riding portion of the event but felt like even more was on the line for the hobbyhorse competition. Julia and Devon put everything they had into bringing it home for us to the point where Devon confessed she had to go cross country with her calves the most sore they’ve ever been in her life. Even still, we were all a bit too humble to really expect it would be us to receive the Spirit Award so it made the announcement all the sweeter. Running up to the podium and screaming until our voices were officially gone was way better than any energy drink could have offered us by the end of the long weekend.”

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Stable View Spotlight: Rachel Morrall

Photo by Liz Crawley Photography

Rachel Morrall has been a part of the Stable View team since the beginning of October. She is a show secretary. She describes her job as, “I help with receiving and processing entries, making changes to entries as necessary or as requested, assigning stabling and help with scheduling ride times, and whatever else might come up as needed. At the shows, I check riders in & out, hand out prizes, and help riders with things they need like additional shavings or questions about the show, and when needed, I assist with the live scoring for stadium and cross country. Then when we host our In & Out Hunter/Jumper shows, I can be found in the office assisting or in an ingate.”

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Before coming to work at Stable View, Rachel competed here. Her first show at Stable View was October 2022 at the TIP Championships, where her horse, Burn. Flicker. Die, and she were Reserve National Champions in the Suitable Jumpers 2’9”.

Photo by Liz Crawley Photography

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Burn. Flicker. Die. also known as Regis, is a 17-year-old 16.3hh chestnut OTTB gelding. Rachel bought him in February 2022. Fun fact is his show name is the title track of an album by my favorite band, American Aquarium. Rachel shared, “Regis’s favorite treats are LifeSavers Wint-O-Mint mints—which is why I always have

them in the show office or with me at shows. We’ve done Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation, Dressage, hunter paces, derby cross, and just started Eventing at starter level this past year. Regis loves jumping—the higher the better—and he loves galloping, so I will tack him up in my exercise saddle and let him go flat out sometimes as a reward/break from arena work. And I know everyone says it, but Regis is the best boy and a total unicorn.”

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Rachel’s love for horses began when she was three years old and her neighbor introduced her to them. She began showing when she was eight in flat-shod 2-gait saddle seat classes on a friend’s Tennessee Walker. From there she began showing Quarter Horses in high school in Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, and Showmanship. In college she began doing the Hunters and rode on

UNC-Charlotte’s IHSA team. In addition, she has learned to drive carriages, participated in ranch riding, gymkhanas, barrel racing, handling for breed inspections, and exercising racehorses at the Aiken Training Track.

Rachel shared, “Before becoming a full-time show secretary, I was a real estate paralegal. I started in 2013 and handled closings in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina while issuing title insurance throughout all 50 states for one of the companies I worked for. Real estate and title insurance were my only career before this, and while I loved the work I did, I don’t know that I’ll go back to real estate, because I really love working horse shows.”

Outside of horses and working, Rachel enjoys spending time with her two cats, Wallace & Dipper. She also enjoys playing the flute/piccolo, disc golf, and video games, as well as watching college football in particular the University of TennesseeKnoxville.

Rachel was asked her favorite part about showing at Stable View.

She said, “The variety of shows available and the affordability. My horse and I like to participate in a little bit of everything. So,

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Stable View feels like a one-stop shop for us when we are deciding what shows to attend. The venue is also gorgeous everywhere you look.”

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography

When asked her favorite part about working at Stable View she shared, “The people! I’ve met so many lovely, wonderful, interesting people—parents, trainers, exhibitors, spectators, vendors. Some of whom have become good friends. I really enjoy being able to chat with the folks in my line or being able to help with whatever folks need when I’m out and about working during a show. Putting smiles on their faces and making sure they have the best time possible at the show makes this job all the sweeter.” Next time you show, be sure to say hi to Rachel.

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