Winners of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby: Shamrock, ridden by Elizabeth Boyd.
Week one of the Aiken Fall series came to a close this past Sunday, capping off a full week of hunter/jumper competition at beautiful Bruce’s Field in Aiken, SC. The event, managed by Equus Events, was one of the biggest to date and featured top riders and horses from all over the country.
The $5,000 Aiken Saddlery Welcome Classic kicked off the featured events of the week along with a Sangria and Pizza Party under the big tent sponsored by Dr. Sarah Thompson, Ziggy Poplin, and Gatewood Sport Horses. Aiken, SC professional rider Daniel Geitner and Kenwood, owned by the Kenwood Syndicate, galloped home with top honors in the class narrowly beating out Alabama native Holly Shepherd and Belle Clara DKS, who took home second, and Erin McGuire and Kasarr, who took home third.
Friday morning featured the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Cold Creek Nursery and a Derby breakfast which was sponsored by Silo Road Farm and Lee Cesery. A strong contingent of 24 horse rider combinations took to the course to test their skills over the track designed by Joseph Carnicom. Liza Boyd and Finally Farm, Inc.’s Shamrock had two impressive rounds garnering two scores of 91, both in the classic and handy rounds to capture the win with a total score of 182 points. Lee Cesery’s Whiskey Tango took home second place honors with Taylor Ann Adams in the irons, and Elizabeth Tarumianz’s Dedicated and Daniel Geitner rounded out the top three.
The $15,000 Jumper Classic sponsored by David Stinson took place Saturday evening along with a dinner sponsored by Maneline Art, Liz Tarumianz, Booth Parker, and Allison Mills. Spectators were also treated to “Family Day” beginning at 4:30pm which included face painting, a balloon artist, pony rides, free snow cones, and cotton candy, as well as a Maneline Art Kids painting area. Fox View Farm’s FVF Sailor Man and rider Maryann Charles galloped home with the blue ribbon topping a field of 17 original entries. Holly Shepherd and Loretta Patterson’s Skymiles were second and Tall Paul owned and ridden by Vick Russell took home third place honors.
Sunday, the final day of the show, brought the much anticipated South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association’s Governor’s Cup Medal Finals and breakfast sponsored by the SCHJA board and Jordan Burton. Top Equitation riders earned points in the Governor’s Cup classes throughout the year in several states to garner a spot at the finals at the Aiken Fall Festival. The 2016 Governor’s Cup Medal champion was Miss Wynne Weatherly of Charlotte, NC. Wynne trains with Andrea Guzinski and Cedarhill Farm in Waxaw, NC. Kayla Jacobs ended up reserve.
For complete results and more information on the Aiken Fall Festival, please go to www.equusevents.com.