144 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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By Katie Navarra
Aiken, South Carolina is well known for its Winter Colony tourists
fleeing harsh northern winters and heading South to be a part
of its elaborate social gatherings and its century-old foxhunting
tradition. One annual event, The Aiken Horse Show, celebrates
all aspects of Aiken’s heritage in one arena.
Established in 1916 by Mrs. Hitchcock, The Aiken Horse Show
was designed to be as much a social gala to signify the end of the
winter foxhunting season as it was an opportunity for her foxhunting
friends to participate in a final competition before departing for the
summer. The gathering gained such notoriety during the 1920s
and 1930s that results and photos were regularly published in the
New York Times
and other notable society magazines of the time.
Throughout its history, the Aiken Horse Show has continued
to preserve the early traditions of the show. Though classes for
steeplechasers and polo ponies are no longer offered, hunter
classes, hunter pairs and hunter team events remain an integral
part of the class list. As the event gained popularity, it was
expanded from a one to two days and, now, to its current three-
day format.
The 2014 show marks the 98th annual Aiken Horse Show,
which is scheduled for April 4-6.
The Show In The Woods
Affectionately known as “the show in the woods,” the Aiken
Horse Show is held within Hitchcock Woods, an urban forestland.
The 2,100-acre preserve is one of the largest urban forestlands in
the country. The preserve offers 70 miles of sandy trails for riders,
hikers, dog walkers and joggers. “This horse show is the only time
of the year cars are allowed into the woods,” said Gail King, co-
director for the show.
Any rider may enjoy the surrounding trails throughout the year
on their own or through participation with the Aiken Hounds, but
no one is allowed to enter the ring until the show begins. The lush
green grass ring is planted with rye grass each fall and nurtured
so that by early spring an emerald green carpet fills every inch of
the arena.
The event draws between 110 and 140 entries each year, but
not just anyone can register for the competition. Horse and rider
teams must actively participate in foxhunting. “Riders have to
submit a form signed by the Master of the Hunt showing that the
horse and rider have been out at least four times that year,” said
Linda Knox McLean, co-director for the show and Master of The
Aiken Hounds.
True to tradition, the three-day show features classes designed
to showcase the foxhunting horse and rider talents. The event
begins Friday, April 4th with the $750 Aiken Hounds Welcome
Stakes. The remainder of the day features classes for adult
amateur riders, concluding with a $1,000 Aiken Horse Show Open
Hunter Stakes class.
Traditionally, Saturday focuses on families. “The second
day is more about the children,” Linda said. Junior classes,
Hilltopper classes, costume classes and leadline classes,
hunter pairs and hunter teams classes fill the day’s schedule.
Fan favorites include the pairs, teams and family classes, which
require two or more riders to complete the designated course at
the same time. “I have pictures of my grandparents and my father
riding three abreast in a hunter team class,” Linda said. “I have
similar pictures of my mom and great-aunt. I treasure this show
very much.” Over the years, the definition of family has been
This year marks the
98th annual Aiken
Horse Show.
All photos courtesy
of Louisa Davidson
Photography
Tradition Reins at the
Aiken Horse Show
Continued on page 146
