August, 1st 2011 – It is hard to believe but summer is already coming to a close and fall is just around the corner. Show manager J. P. Godard’s Equus Events is gearing up to unveil its inaugural Atlanta Summerfest at Bouckaert Farms in Fairburn, GA. These new shows taking place August 18th-21st and 25th-28th will be one of the most popular tickets in town as stalls and camper spots are limited at the renowned Bouckaert Farms home of the 2011 USAE American Eventing Championships. Well known in the eventing world, Godard is excited to introduce Bouckaert Farms to the hunter/jumper contingent. “We are really looking forward to getting this show series off the ground,” Godard said with a smile. “It took a little bit of time to get everything together, but now we are just looking forward to a great first year and hope everyone has a fantastic time.”
The facility itself has no lack of bragging rights boasting an over 8000 acre equestrian paradise filled with established pastures, lakes, and woodlands situated on the Chattahoochee River. Stabling is all permanent and every stall features rubber mats. The Atlanta Summerfest will offer something for everyone including walk/trot classes all the way up to the Open Jumpers. Exhibitors and spectators can also look forward to Equus Events daily hospitality and weekly parties and events. Some of the feature classes include:
-$5,000 Open Jumper Classic each week
-$2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (wk1)
-$1,500 Jr/AO Jumper Classic each week
-$2,500 NAL/WIHS Ch/Ad Jumper Classic each week
-$500 Pony Classic
-$500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic
-$500 NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic
After the Atlanta Summerfest concludes the staff at Equus Events will be busily preparing for the 4th annual Aiken Fall Festival. The event will again take place at Highfields in quaint Aiken, SC September 8-11 and 15-18. The show has become a “staple” on the Autumn calendar according to the Aiken Standard. Aiken’s famous horse community, its eclectic shops and restaurants, and events such as the 2011 Aiken’s Makin’ Festival (September 9th-10th) makes this town a prime stop on the horse show calendar. Horses and riders will be competing for awards and prizes in upwards to $100,000 throughout the two week show series and vying to have their name engraved on many perpetual trophies. Some of last year’s Grand Champion and Perpetual Trophy winner’s included:
*At A Glance Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Grand Champion Hunter – Cezanne owned by Lilly Haun and ridden by Vick Russell
*Joyce Lineburger Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Grand Junior Hunter – Babette and Noel Fauntleroy
*Good Golly Miss Molly Perpetual Trophy for Grand Pony Hunter – Caroline Hargreaves and That’s It
*Grand Amateur Owner Hunter – Onassis and Sarah Ward
*Grand Adult Hunter – Westside and Cindy Prestage
*Grand Children’s Hunter – Ransom and Lily Foy
*Grand Children’s/Adult Jumper – Oh My Lord and Terrell McKey
*Grand Junior/AO Jumper – Fargo and Mary Huitt
This year’s show will have no shortage of special events taking place. The prestigious 2011 South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Governor’s Cup Medal Finals will be held Sunday September 11th along with Breakfast sponsored by the Godard Family. Aiken Fall Festival’s annual Hunt Night is always a fixture on the local social scene featuring local hunt riders and teams competing over courses reminiscent of the hunt Field on Friday September 16th. Jumper riders will be showcasing their skills in a $15,000 Open Jumper Classic each Saturday evening (September 10th and 17th) and not to be left out the hunters will be featured in a $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby on Friday September 9th. Other highlights include:
-$5,000 Open Welcome Stake each week
-$2,500 Jr/AO Jumper Classic each week
-$2,500 NAL/WIHS Ch/Ad Jumper Classic each week
-$500 Pony Classic
-$500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic
-$500 NA/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic
Exhibitors and spectators will also be treated to daily hospitality and many other weekly parties and events. The Aiken Fall Festival is also proud to again be donating proceeds to Danny and Ron’s Rescue www.dannyandronsrescue.com and Children’s Place of Aiken www.childrensplaceinc.org.
The Atlanta Summerfest and Aiken Fall Festival welcome the public of all ages to come and enjoy the horse show. Please go to www.equusevents.com or call 803-643-5698 for more information and full schedule of events.