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Wednesday, March 23 2016 / Published in General, Weekly Feature

Equestrian Destination: Aiken, South Carolina

By Lauren R. Giannini

Beautiful tree covered road in Aiken Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

Beautiful tree covered road in Aiken
Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

Aiken, one of the great “escapes” for folks fleeing winter’s bite in the U.S. and Canada, is an equestrian wonderland for hunter-jumper shows, three-day eventing, foxhunting, steeplechasing and carriage driving, to name a few. If you’re headed to Aiken, you’re in for a treat. First-timers might want to compile a list of places to go, things to do.

Hitchcock Woods

First on your list: Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban forests in the nation, features 70 miles of sandy trails open year-round to the public from dawn to dusk. Horse power or foot power  only!No motorized vehicles, no bicycles, no quads — you feel as if you’re stepping back in time. The Woods offer a most delightful experience not far from the heart of Aiken and its charming, tree-divided Laurens Street.

Hunting in the Hitchcock Woods Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

Hunting in the Hitchcock Woods
Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

Hitchcock Woods began in 1939 with the establishment of the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, a non-profit to which Thomas and Louise Hitchcock pledged to transfer 1,191 acres over a number of years. Today, the historical Woods encompass more than 2,100 acres, thanks to the purchase or donation of adjoining tracts totaling 900-plus acres.  

One very special annual event benefits the Hitchcock Woods and also provides the only occasion when motorized vehicles are permitted. This year celebrates the centennial of the Aiken Horse Show, April 1–3. This show is a must-do on your list if you happen to be in town.  

In 1996, the Hitchcock Woods Foundation asked William Howard to take over the reins. He gave the show a natural look, setting and ambience. The Aiken Horse Show took off and, ever since, has proven to be a very successful fundraiser for the Woods.

“Aiken is an incredible place — so much history and back history with the old families who lived here,” said William Howard. “You can still ride horses around the center of town, which is amazing! Everyone who visits Aiken should go for a hack or a carriage drive in the Woods. It’s beautiful.”

Racing & Steeplechasing

Aiken steeplechases Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

Aiken steeplechases
Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

Aiken offers a lot to visitors, whether you’re part of today’s “Winter Colony” or simply visiting to enjoy a great getaway. You’ll find plenty to keep you busy, from history and culture to eating out and shopping. For many people who converge on Aiken, the attraction involves equestrian sports of all kinds, beginning with racing and steeplechasing.

The Aiken Thoroughbred Hall of Fame, located in the historic Hopeland Gardens, showcases great horses that were trained in Aiken, including Eclipse Award flat track winners Conquistador Cielo, Pleasant Colony, Swale, and 2014 Eclipse Award Champion Steeplechase Horse, Demonstrative.

Then there’s Palace Malice, the 2013 and 2014 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, locally owned by Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stable and trained by Brad Stauffer at the Aiken Training Track when he wasn’t at various racetracks, winning 7 of 19 starts. Six of his firsts were graded stakes, including the 2013 Belmont Stakes (Gr. 1). After earning $2,691,135 in purse money, Palace Malice now stands at stud in Kentucky.

The Aiken training track Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

The Aiken training track
Photo courtesy of VisitAiken, SC

Aiken has two racetracks: one for flat racing, the other for spring and fall National Steeplechase Association meets. The Aiken Spring Trials, March 19, showcase young Thoroughbreds at Aiken’s Training Track and serve as the first event in Aiken’s “Triple Crown.” The second, Aiken Spring Steeplechase, celebrates the tradition and excitement of jump racing in its 50th renewal at the Aiken Horse Park, traditionally called Ford Conger Field, now aka Bruce’s Field. The final leg of Aiken’s Triple Crown is Pacers and Polo, April 2, at Powderhouse Polo Field.

Jack Wetzel at The Aiken Trials Photo by Louisa Davidson

Jack Wetzel at The Aiken Trials
Photo by Louisa Davidson

Aiken has become a star-studded winter destination for international and upper-level riders including Phillip Dutton, whose career includes winning the 2008 Rolex on Connaught, owned by the late Bruce Duchossois of Aiken, and Boyd Martin. Phillip and Boyd teach the very popular Master Classes, which benefit the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team’s Road To Rio. Top eventers wintering in Aiken include Olympic medalist and three-time Rolex winner Kim Severson, Sally Cousins, Doug Payne, Dom and Jimmie Schramm, Australians Kate Chadderton and Ryan Wood, and Canadian Waylon Roberts.

Hunters, Jumpers, Horse Trials & Dressage

In addition to hunter-jumper shows, Aiken boasts a full calendar of horse trials and dressage shows. Venues include Paradise Farm, Full Gallop Farm, Sporting Days Farm and Stable View, an official winter training facility for the U.S. High Performance Eventing Team (the other official winter training facility is in Ocala, Florida). Boyd Martin bases his training activities at Stable View while his wife, Silva Martin, winters with her dressage horses and students at Fox Frolic Farm.

Whiskey Road Hounds Photo by Louisa Davidson

Whiskey Road Hounds
Photo by Louisa Davidson

Highfields Event Center, owned by Rick and Cathy Cram, is another equestrian enclave with a show schedule packed with local, JFF (Just For Fun) and USEF National and Premiere dates, dressage competitions and non-horse events, such as the Aiken Music Fest (June 18). Located a few blocks from downtown Aiken, the 60-acre show facility offers three all-weather rings, grass Grand Prix jumper field, derby field, polo field, permanent stabling, and RV hook-ups, to name a few amenities. Highfields is home to Progressive Show Jumping, Progressive Jumps and Progressive Stabling.

For lovers of the chase, Aiken and its environs boast the Aiken Hounds, a venerable drag pack that dates back to 1914; Whiskey Roads Foxhounds (1976); Why Worry Hounds (1990); and Edisto River Hounds (1995). Several other packs are within “commuting distance”: Low Country Hunt (Charleston), Camden Hunt (Camden) and Belle Meade Hunt (Tomson, Georgia).  

Lodging, Food & Fun    

Visitors can find accommodations that suit their budgets whether it’s a dream getaway or escaping the harsher northern winters in order to compete, trail-ride and foxhunt. Total pampering awaits you at the Willcox Hotel or you can opt for proximity to the links by booking into the Inn at Houndslake. Then again, you can stay at Hotel Aiken and “walk home” after hitting the Polo Bar, one of the hottest nightspots in town right under the same roof. It’s all there, waiting for you…

The Wilcox Hotel Photo by Anne Hoover Photographer

The Wilcox Hotel
Photo by Anne Hoover Photographer

Anyone with a yen for shopping will feel right at home strolling along Laurens and wandering down side streets. There’s fun and adventure as you explore the possibilities, which include Aiken Dry Goods, Epona and Equine Divine, where dressage rider-trainer Silva Martin often finds something that she fancies.  

“There are some really cute stores in Aiken, and I’m a bit of a girl — I really enjoy buying clothes and I love going from store to store and looking around, but that isn’t possible with my husband,” said Silva, laughing. “I love to discover a specific item that suits my style and to shop for presents for people who invite us while we’re in Aiken.”

Restaurants and cafés abound. The Prime offers fresh lobster and aged beef, to name two carefully selected menu items. Marie’s is very popular, especially among eventers, who head there at least once a week for Mexican food and margaritas.

Aiken has something for everyone — horse sports, food, art, culture and history. It’s a very friendly town.

Aiken’s Tommy Biddle at New Bridge Polo Photo by Louisa Davidson

Aiken’s Tommy Biddle at New Bridge Polo
Photo by Louisa Davidson

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Tagged under: aiken SC

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Get your entries in for the TerraNova Dressage II Get your entries in for the TerraNova Dressage II CDI W & USEF National Level 5 dressage competition, hosted October 19-22, 2023 at TerraNova Equestrian Center in beautiful Myakka City, Florida. Conveniently located near Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, TerraNova Equestrian Center is Florida’s premier equestrian destination.

Discover TerraNova’s peaceful showgrounds and luxury facilities for a world-class competition experience. TerraNova Dressage II is managed by Thomas Baur and Monica Fitzgerald and has quickly become a favorite venue amongst dressage competitors. 
National Judges:
Cindi Wylie
Anne Cizadlo

CDI Judges:
William Warren (4* / USA)
Elke Ebert (5* / GER)
Agniezka Majewska (4* / POL)
Debbie Rodrigurz (3* / USA)
Christof Umbach (5* / LUX)

View full prize list: https://www.terranovaequestrian.com/terranova-dressage-ii-cdi4 Enter CDI: https://equestrian-hub.com/public/show/165165 Enter USEF: https://equestrian-hub.com/public/show/184795 Closing date: October 12th – enter now!

#showterranova
HELLO OCTOBER!!! Kicking off the month with Intern HELLO OCTOBER!!! Kicking off the month with International-level dressage rider Amelia Newcomb. Who is committed to making dressage accessible to anyone who wants to learn and improve in the sport. With a mantra of “Dressage for All,” Amelia, her husband, Germán Schneider, and the rest of her team at Amelia Newcomb Dressage believe that anyone and everyone can learn to love their ride. 
With over 100,000 YouTube subscribers around the globe, Amelia is able to share her joy and 
enthusiasm for the sport with more equestrians than she ever dreamed of through her online training 
platform. Amelia’s curriculum breaks riding down into a simple, proven system that anyone can follow 
and get results, regardless of age, discipline or location.“My goal is to make good dressage training accessible to everyone who is interested in learning. One way I do that is by producing quality videos to educate and encourage dressage students along their dressage journey,” Amelia said. “The transformations that my students get are insane and my business is changing the entire sport of dressage and the way people learn to ride.”
While Amelia is a talented USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist today, she knows the struggles 
associated with trying to make your way in the sport without abundant educational resources. “I grew up in Colorado, where there weren’t that many dressage resources available. I was so hungry for knowledge, I would go to big shows just to watch the big-named trainers work,” Amelia said. “That’s why, when given the opportunity to share what I’ve learned along the way, I decided to go for it and start my YouTube channel.” 
➡️Catch the full story at the link in our bio!! 
⬇️For more information, visit amelianewcombdressage.com and on Instagram 
amelicanewcombdressage

📸Photos by Lindsey Long, lindseylong.com
#Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Sho The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Show is happening now! Don’t miss another second by streaming it live! 🐴

📹👀HOW TO VIEW THE LIVE STREAM
The WPCSA will again be streaming footage live from the ring at the American National Show next week. You will need two free passes to get to the feed this year.

1️⃣�The first is a USEF fan membership which you can get through this site:
Join or Renew | US Equestrian (usef.org)

2️⃣ Once you become a fan member, you will need to log in to the USEF Network on ClipMyHorse. A video demonstrating how to do this can be found here:
Existing USEF Fan - Watch the USEF Network - YouTube 

📸Pictured- Grand Champion Section B under UK judge. 
Owner-Barbara Chappell
Handler-Paul Maye /Maye Show Ponies Fairfield, VA
A note from our editor. It's here!! The October is A note from our editor.
It's here!! The October issue of Sidelines Magazine! So happy to have the fabulous Amelia Newcomb  on our cover. Amelia is a dressage rider with over 100,000 students! You read that right! Amelia has a very popular YouTube Channel where riders from around the word can learn and improve on their dressage - and it's not just dressage riders who are benefitting from Amelia Newcombe Dressage on Your Tube but riders of all disciplines - don't miss her story! Thanks to Sidelines photographer Lindsey Long for the beautiful photos. This issue has so many great stories! Catch up with eventer Zachary Brandt Equestrian (make sure to see how much he loves his dogs), and meet show jumper Katherine Anne Brewer and her horse Super Bunny, artist Samantha Dawn, equestrian Megan Smith who teaches Pilates 4 Equestrians; and Ela Ladwig a dressage rider and trainer who's multi talented because she's also a talented artist also. We have an amazing story on hunter-jumper rider Lisa Mooney who has a story you don't want to miss!! We also have a story on Tyler Held who's passion for eventing has taken her on quite the journey, and we catch up with Jimmy Toon in our Unbridled column. This issue also features our Save The Date section where you can check out show dates for this year and next from horse shows around the country! So get out your calendar!! And don't miss our great columnists, hunter-jumper with Rob R.L. Jacobs, eventing with Liz Halliday Eventing and sports psychology with Margie Sugarman. And check out the photos of riders at the 2023 The Hampton Classic Horse Show also! It's another great issue! Make sure to subscribe to Sidelines also - one year for $14.95 and the magazine is delivered right to your house or barn!! 
Enjoy the October issue: https://sidelinesmagazine.com/app/#/reader/50029/1767167

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