September 4th, 2013 Aiken, SC – The exciting hunter and jumper action of the 2013 Aiken Fall Festival Horse Show is set to kick off this Thursday. The event in its 6th year will take place at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC with J. P. Godard and his Equus Events, Inc. handling the managing duties. The show carries a USEF A rating and a jumper 3 star and will run September 5th-8th and 12th-15th. “This year’s show is our biggest to date and with two sold out events we are looking forward to two busy weeks,” said show organizer J. P. Godard.
Many exciting events are on tap including a $15,000 Jumper Classic each week (Saturday, September 7thth and 14thth), a $5,000 Welcome Stake each week (Thursday, September 5th and 12th), a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter (Friday September 6th), and the SCHJA Governor’s Cup Medal Finals (Sunday, September 8th). Back by popular demand is the Celebrity Ride and Drive Relay Challenge and “Bridles and Birdies” event to benefit the First Tee of Aiken which will take place Friday, September 13th. Tickets for this wonderful event are available in the horse show office or by calling 803-226-0053. Tickets are $30 per person and include the relay event, dinner, and live music all to benefit the First Tee of Aiken.
The Aiken Fall Festival is also excited to announce some exciting new classes to this year’s line-up with the addition of the TAKE2 Thoroughbred classes and the prestigious Zone 4 Horse of the Year Finals. TAKE2 offers prize money in hunter and jumper classes restricted to Thoroughbreds that are eligible to be registered with The Jockey Club. The 2013 plan expanded the program nationwide to include 10 of the 12 USEF zones at more than 40 horse shows in 17 states. The goal is to create a market for retired racehorses, ensuring happy and productive lives beyond the racetrack. “We felt that bringing the TAKE2 classes to Aiken was a great fit seeing the large thoroughbred population we have locally,” quoted Godard. Zone 4 Horse of the Year Finals encompasses Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama offering finals classes in all USEF A rated divisions for all eligible horses. The Tack Room of Camden South Carolina is the official sponsor of this year’s Zone 4 Finals which also includes a $2,500 Handy Hunter Stake Class.
The Aiken Fall Festival is known for its special events and hospitality and this year is no exception. This year’s schedule includes:
Thursday, September 5th
$5,000 Open Welcome Jumper Stake
Not before 3 pm
Aiken Fall Festival Welcome Party at The Stables Restaurant @ Rose Hill Estate
Come as you are, all canine friends invited as well!
Live music by New Holland Rd! 7-9 pm
Friday, September 6th
$2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Holley Tractor
Low Country Boil sponsored by The Aiken Fall Festival Hospitality Sponsors
5:30 pm
Saturday, September 9th
Ice Cream and Popsicle Party 2 pm
Wine and Cheese sponsored by Hot To Trot Boutique 4 pm
$15,000 Aiken Premiere Jumper Classic
Exhibitor’s Party sponsored by The Aiken Fall Festival Hospitality Sponsors
5:30 pm
Sunday, September 10th
2013 SCHJA Governor’s Cup Medal Finals and Breakfast
8:00 am
Thursday, September 12th
$5,000 Open Welcome Jumper Stake
Pizza Party sponsored by Gagne International
Approximately 4:30 pm
Friday, September 13th
Celebrity Ride and Drive Challenge Relay Class
“Bridles and Birdies” to benefit The First Tee of Aiken
Tent opens at 5 pm – Relay to start at 6 pm
Saturday, September 14th
Ice Cream and Popsicle Party 2 pm
Wine and Cheese sponsored by Hot To Trot Boutique 4 pm
$15,000 Aiken Fall Jumper Classic sponsored by The Willcox
Exhibitor’s dinner sponsored by DFG Stables, Liz Tarumianz, Booth Parker, and Allison Mills
5:30 pm
Gold Sponsors-
The Willcox, The Barn Book, Sidelines Magazine, The Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill, Fenwick Equestrian, Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance, The Mark Lexton Collection, DFG Stables, Gamboa Veterinary Services, EquiFit, Inc., One K Helmets, Holley Tractor, Integrity Fine Equestrian Linens
Silver Sponsors-
Aiken Yoga, CrossFit Aiken, Equine Divine, Finally Farm, Oak Manor Saddlery, Sandra Thomas, The Aiken Horse
Hospitality Sponsors-
Allison Mills, Beaver River Farm, Booth Parker, Brick Church Farm, Bridlewood Farm, Christison Stables, DFG Stables, Gagne International, Hot To Trot Boutique, Liz Tarumianz, The Willcox, The Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill
A special thanks to our title sponsors: Holley Tractor for sponsoring the National Hunter Derby Friday, September 6th, The Willcox for sponsoring the $15,000 Jumper Classic on Saturday, September 14th; and The Tack Room for sponsoring Zone 4 Horse of the Year Finals.
For directions, more information and a complete horse show schedule, please go to www.equusevents.com or call 803-295-2094. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Equus Events is a horse show production company based in Aiken, SC. We are committed to producing unique exhibitor friendly events that excel in a high level of quality, competition, and hospitality. Equus Events is the current USHJA Members Choice award winning horse show company in zone 4 for an AA rated horse show.
Contact:
Equus Events
www.equusevents.com
803-643-5698