Photo: Erin McGuire and Kasarr, Winners of the $5,000 Welcome Stake.

The Aiken Fall Festival, Week 1, was the place to be this past week. With over 400 horses competing in full divisions there was not a quiet moment and the buzz of our busy show resulted in two features on the local news.

Beyond the great competition, we had many new faces taking part in our horse show and getting to know Aiken for the first time.

When they weren’t riding, David Jennings and Freddie Vazquez jumped in as Aiken ambassadors, sharing their excitement for Bruce’s Field as first-time competitors in local press interviews.

Kyle Dewar and Clever Van De Helle came out of the gate with a win in the Saturday night American Standard Grand Prix sponsored by Aiken Saddlery and Gavin Moylan made the trek down from Upperville looking to get his young jumpers some positive miles in their first Grand Prix. Mission accomplished!

Classic Winners from the week include:

• Lindsay Maxwell and Precedent, A/O Hunter Classic
• Maggie Hill and Cassanto, Junior Hunter Classic
• Chloe Watrous and Casual, Children’s Hunter Classic
• Maddie Tosh and Love Me Tender, Pony Hunter Classic
• Haley Gassel and Werner 61, 1.30 A/O Jumper Classic
• Christina Webb and Lalainy, 1.20 A/O Jumper Classic
• Stephanie King and Co-Starr, High Child/Adult Jumper Classic

We will continue to have exhibitor parties each night, with Friday night set aside for the 7th Annual Bridles & Birdies fundraiser. Tickets can be bought in the show office or by clicking here.

Hurricane Florence Update

We are continuing to monitor the ever changing track of Hurricane Florence. The safety and wellness of all of our animals, competitors, and staff is of the upmost importance. At the request of our competitors who will be staying with us through the weekend, we are planning to run a consolidated two day schedule for the Aiken Fall Festival II, starting Thursday and ending Friday.

We encourage those who plan to show to enter as soon as possible. The more information we have from our competitors, the more ability we’ll have to tailor a schedule that effectively addresses the challenges we are facing.

At this time, our team is sorting through stabling. Once all of the horses are resettled, we anticipate having the ability to offer additional stabling to evacuees. Please contact our office at 803-266-8410. We will remain on site throughout the weekend to assist with any feed and bedding orders that our guests might have, as well as to provide hospitality each day.

We know that our competitors are saddened and frustrated about these circumstances, and we share those sentiments. With that in mind, we now turn our focus to making the best of a difficult situation and providing any assistance we can offer to those who may need it.

Thanks to all for your patience and understanding.

Megan & JP Godard,
Horse Show Managers, Equus Events