Kenwood and Daniel Geitner. Barry Koster Photography.
September 10th, 2014 – The first week of the Aiken Fall Festival horse show came to a close this past Sunday. The two week series in its 7th year takes place at Highfields Event Center in horse-centric Aiken, SC and is managed by J. P. Godard and Equus Events. Gold Sponsors for this year’s edition include: The Barn Book, Sidelines Magazine, Fenwick Equestrian, Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance, DFG Stables, Equi-Fit, LLC, One K Helmets, Integrity Linens, Oak Manor Saddlery, and The Tack Room.
Aiken based DFG Stables and trainer Daniel Geitner had a banner week, taking home several top honors and championships. Kenwood, an Oldenburg gelding owned by the Kenwood Syndicate with Daniel Geitner aboard, went two for two this week capturing the $5,000 Welcome Stake on Thursday as well as the $15,000 Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance Jumper Classic on Saturday evening. Geitner also piloted Booth Parker’s Zazoe to a second place finish in the Welcome and a 9th place in Saturday’s Jumper Classic. The course, designed by Toledo, Ohio based Joe Carnicom, proved to be tricky as no one in the original field managed a fault free round. In a unique twist, seven horses that finished with a four fault effort were invited back to the jump off. Last proved to be best as Kenwood blazed through the finish line to take home top honors, just edging out second place finishers Kassar and Erin McGuire of Camden, SC. Christina Jason and her Tamino rounded out the top three.
A last minute decision to show Elizabeth Tarumianz’s Dedicated in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Friday evening proved to be a good one as Geitner piloted the 9 year old Oldenburg gelding to the victory. He also placed 6th on Andrea Guzinski’s Salud and 11th with Brenda McKay’s Champagne. “Daniel found ‘Carter’ for me in Europe and I bought him without even trying him,” said owner Liz Tarumianz. “I just trusted him and it turned out to be a great decision. He has done such as amazing job with him; I couldn’t be more pleased.” Tarumianz has ridden with Daniel and his wife Cathy for 6 years, now commuting from Charlotte to Aiken to take lessons and also meeting them at shows. She shows Dedicated in the Amateur Owner Hunter division. Riding is a family affair as her daughter Ella also rides with DFG and shows in the walk/trot division. Fresh off of a repeat International Hunter Derby victory in Kentucky, Camden, SC’s Liza Boyd and a new partner, Finally Farm’s Diamond Rio, took home second place honors in the derby. Karen Kelly of Charleston, SC and Chosen, owned by Reflections Farm, rounded out the top three finishers.
The highly anticipated South Carolina Governor’s Cup Medal Finals took place Sunday morning along with a breakfast sponsored by Equus Events. Darby Pease, a 16 year old from Mt. Pleasant, SC, took home top honors in this prestigious class aboard Caprioso 2. Pease, a junior at Wando High School, trains with Charles Hairfield of Seabrook Equestrian Center. “Being the last rider standing in the middle of the ring was one of the best feelings in the world! Winning this medal was a huge accomplishment for me and the next step in my riding career. It was a dream come true!” quoted an ecstatic Pease. Many of today’s top riders were once Governor’s Cup winners, including Liza Boyd, Jenny Jones, and Gary Young, just to name a few. Proud Grandmother Wiese Robb had a few words to say as well. “The Governor’s Cup has been a goal of Darby’s since she started showing, so it is like the culmination of a dream. She has just gotten this gentle giant of a horse and this is his first a show not being a jumper. (We did a local show in August the week we got him, wanting to get him in the show ring with a tail, etc. once before the finals!) He is the love of her life. Thanks to Equus Events and J. P. Godard for hosting this great class.”
The Aiken Fall Festival series has always been known for its great southern hospitality and this year has been no exception. Daily ring hospitality as well as a Barbeque dinner Friday evening and a Low Country Boil Saturday evening were all brought to you by the 2014 Aiken Fall Festival hospitality sponsors: Allison Mills, Beaver River Farm, Booth Parker, Brick Church Farm, Christison Stables, DFG Stables, Janel Prescott, Mr. and Mrs. William Quinn, Liz Tarumianz, Reflections Farm, Hot To Trot Boutique, and The Tack Room.
Week II of the Aiken Fall Festival kicks off on Thursday with the $5,000 Open Welcome Stake and Pizza Party sponsored by DFG Stables. Friday’s schedule features the 3rd annual Bridles and Birdies Charity Event and Celebrity Ride and Drive Relay Challenge to benefit The First Tee of Aiken. Cocktail hour begins at 5am with the relay class beginning at 6. This unique event combines two of Aiken’s passions, horses and golf, and is not to be missed! For ticket information, see the horse show office or contact the First Tee of Aiken at 803-226-0053. The $15,000 Aiken Fall Festival Jumper Classic will again take place on Saturday evening along with an exhibitor’s dinner at approximately 5:30 pm.
For complete horse show results and more information, please contact 803-643-5698 or visit www.equusevents.com.