FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
SIDELINESMAY 2014 109
RaceDirector
Karl McMillan
holding the
officialsmeeting
before the 2013
CharlestonCup.
Photo by TagYourPix.
com
the gateway for his involvement with Stono Ferry. He was asked
to layout theequestrian facilities,which includedaboardingbarn,
polo field and racetrack with a steeplechase course. That’s how
Karl became the youngest agent ever licensed by SeaPines. No
stranger to racingover fences, thanks to theAikenSpringRaces,
Karl and his associates revived steeplechasing in the form of the
CharlestonCup.
In 1984 Karl re-chartered the South Carolina Jockey Club,
established in 1768, which had disbanded by the early 20th
century.
TheSouthCarolina JockeyClub promotes theCharlestonCup
as ameans to raise funds for local non-profit charities. In the late
‘90s when Stono Ferry became self-sustaining with an active
homeowners’ association, the polo club and steeplechase races
came to a halt. After an eight-year hiatus, StonoFerry askedKarl
to jump-start the philanthropic sporting and social event in2011.
OnSunday,November9, 2014, theCharlestonCup, sanctioned
by theNational SteeplechaseAssociation (NSA), will celebrate its
21st running in theCarolinaLowCountry. Karl continues to serve
asRaceDirector for theCharlestonCup.
“I love being able to hunt or ride in themorning, get somework
doneduring thedayand I’mbackoutsideagain,”Karl said. “Doing
what I love iswhy I’mhere.We just finishedabigcoveredarena in
themiddleof a650-acredevelopment with37 lots that range from
seven to 28 acres only sixmiles from downtownAiken. You have
to have good growth so that you can build the tax base and bring
people into the community.”
Aiken’s climate provides an ideal destination for northern-
based equestrians. “From the horseperson’s perspective, Aiken
is the Mecca,” said Karl. “There are so many disciplines – polo,
foxhunting, three-day eventing in the winter, back to polo in the
spring – and it’s non-stop, from Labor Day toMemorial Day, but
you’re not confined to your own discipline. You are mixing with
peoplewho all share a common interest in the horse. Aiken is all
about sport.”
Karl started hunting with Aiken, his “home hunt,” in 2007 and
last yearwasawardedhiscolors, anhonorbestowedby thehunt’s
masters, which are sewn into the collar of your hunt coat. He’s
been serving as a substitute field master (leading riders during
the hunt) and on occasion helps out whipping-in as a sort of field
assistant to the huntsman.
“I enjoy being part of the equestrian community and being able
to do all the things that make Aiken such a great place, whether
you’re part of the winter colony or living here year-round,” Karl
said. “I’m looking forward to beingmore activewith theHitchcock
Woods Foundation and theAiken LandConservancy. I’m excited
tobe part of a placeand a community that I’ve always loved.”
