Tag Archives: Aiken Fall Festival

2012 Aiken Fall Festival – That’s a Wrap!

Daniel Geitner and Kenwood. Shawn McMillen Photography

September 17th, 2012 – Sunday marked the final day of the 2012 Aiken Fall Festival Show Series. The show which took place at Highfields in historic Aiken, SC is a USEF “A” rated event and is managed by J. P. Godard and his team at Equus Events.

Gold sponsors of this year’s event included: Fenwick Equestrian, Equifit, Inc., The Mark Lexton Collection, Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance, One K Helmets, Daniel F. Geitner Stables, The Barn Book, Gamboa Veterinary Services, Integrity Fine Equestrian Linens, The Willcox and Oak Manor Saddlery. Silver sponsors included: Finally Farm, The Aiken Horse, Liz Tarumianz, Equi InStyle, Gagne International, Equestrian Connect, Booth Parker, Allison Mills, Laura Regan, Holly Carter Designs, Solo Show Stables, and Carolina Outdoors. The 2012 Aiken Fall Festival Hospitality sponsors were: Allison Mills, Booth Parker, The Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue, Beaver River Farm, DFG Stables, Cn’C Stables, Christison Stables, Dr. Juan and Jennifer Gamboa, Finally Farm, Hot To Trot Boutique, Gagne International, Liz Tarumianz, Solo Show Stables, The Tack Room, The Stables Restaurant and The Kasper Family.

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Busy Week at Aiken Fall Festival Comes to a Close

Contemporary and Daniel Geitner. Pictures by Shawn McMillen Photography

September 11th, 2012 – Week one of the 2012 Aiken Fall Festival Show series came to a close on Sunday and what a busy week it was. The event in its 5th year took place at Highfields in historic Aiken, SC and is managed by locally based Equus Events, Inc. and show manager J. P. Godard.

The week kicked off on Thursday with plenty of action in both the hunter and jumper rings. The featured class was the $5,000 Open Welcome Stake which took place Thursday afternoon out on the grass field. Hollow Creek Investment’s Boccaccio and rider Angel Karolyi took top honors there with a jump off time of 37.793 just edging out another Aiken based rider Daniel Geitner and Ann Ritter’s Jumbo Jet who finished clean with a time of 37.890. Boccaccio, an 11 year old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Up Chiqui, has had much success with Karolyi winning the $25,000 Equestrian Sport Productions New Year’s Grand Prix in Wellington as well as placing 9th in the $75,000 Nations Cup this winter. Carboni, owned by the Hollow Creek Farm, took home third place with rider Angel Karolyi handling the ride there as well. Following the class, the Aiken Fall Festival Welcome Party took place at The Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill. Exhibitors and sponsors were treated to food and drinks as well as live music by local artist Gavin Reily. Many thanks to The Stables Restaurant for sponsoring the Aiken Fall Festival Welcome Party for the second year in a row. The restaurant features a dining room and bar menu, live music on the patio every Friday, and a full bar all in one of Aiken’s most unique settings. Located just minutes from Highfields accommodations are also available www.rosehillestate.com.

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Aiken Fall Festival Just a Week Away

August, 30th 2012 – Entries and stall reservations for the 5th annual Aiken Fall Festival horse show close today and with the event being only a week away, preparations are in full swing. The show series is a USEF “A” rated event and will take place in historic Aiken, SC at Highfields Event Center September 6th-9th and 13th-16th. The two-week series is managed by J. P. Godard and his Equus Events, Inc. The highly popular show has become a staple on the fall hunter/jumper calendar. Combined with Aiken’s famous horse community and its eclectic shops and restaurants, it is no wonder why it is has become a favorite stop for many of the top riders and horses in the southeast.

Feature events include a $15,000 Open Jumper Classic each week, The Willcox $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Friday evening September 7th, and the prestigious South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Governor’s Cup Medal Finals taking place Sunday morning September 9th. Other features include:

  • -$5,000 Open Welcome Stake each week
  • -$2,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Adult Jumper Classic each week
  • -$2,500 Junior Amateur Owner Jumper Classic each week
  • -$500 Pony Classic each week
  • -NAL/WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter Classics each week

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Equus Events Expands Show Schedule with Two New Fall Events

August 7th, 2012 – Aiken, SC based Equus Events, Inc. is pleased to announce two new events for this coming fall. Chatt Hills Equestrian Center and Bouckaert Farms have added a new hunter jumper show taking place September 21-23. J. P. Godard and his Equus Events team will be handling the management duties for the Chatt Hills Fall Horse Show. This renowned facility is home of the popular Atlanta Summerfest series which takes place August 16-26 and also the 2012 USEA Nutrena American Eventing Championships held this September. It is situated on over 8,000 picturesque acres along the Chattahoochee River and offers some of the nicest footing and stabling in the country. The event will feature classics for most hunter divisions and offer many affordable opportunities for beginner riders. It will hold a USEF “A” rating and be sanctioned by GHJA, SCHJA, and NCHJA.

In October, the first annual Harvest Classic Horse Show will take place October 12-14 at Highfields in historic Aiken, SC. This new event will hold a USEF “A” rating and will feature a $1,000 Pony Hunter Derby, $1,000 Children’s/Adult Hunter Derby, and the $5,000 Aiken Jumper Derby. The Jumper Derby will have a “jump off” style format but will include more natural style obstacles and a slightly longer course. “Our goal for the pony and children’s/adult hunter derbies is to offer a finals type of experience that many exhibitors don’t receive at the regional level,” said show manager J. P. Godard. “We want to make these classes very special, and offer a show that is affordable and fun for everyone.”

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Atlanta Summerfest and Aiken Fall Festival Update

The prize list for the 2012 Atlanta Summerfest August 16-19 and 23-26 and Aiken Fall Festival September 6-9 and 13-16 is now available on our web site and will be in the mail this week. Both show series include many exciting features including a $10,000 Open Jumper Classic each week at the Atlanta Summerfest as well as a USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Aiken Fall Festival will again feature a $5,000 Open Welcome Stake each week, a $15,000 Open Jumper Classic each week, a USHJA National Hunter Derby, and is proud to again be the host of the 2012 South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals. Many social events are planned for each show as well as the hospitality and customer service you have come to expect from Equus Events. Stalls sell out quickly at both of these events so please make sure to get your entries in on time!

NEW SHOW – Equus Events is pleased to announce a new show, The Harvest Classic October 12-14 at Highfields in Aiken, SC. This show will be a USEF A rated event and include a $1,000 Pony Hunter Derby, a $1,000 Children’s/Adult Hunter Derby, and a $5,000 Open Jumper Classic.

Thank you for your continued support of Equus Events and we look forward to seeing you at the show!

Harold Chopping and Patent Pending Top the $15,000 Aiken Fall Festival Jumper Classic

Harold Chopping and Patent Pending. Shawn McMillen Photography

August 19, 2011 – Sunday marked the final day of the 2011 Aiken Fall Festival II.  It was an exciting action packed weekend filled with many special classes and events at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC.  Saturday evening featured the $15,000 Aiken Fall Festival Jumper Classic sponsored by Fenwick Equestrian along with Mexican Fiesta and Margaritas For Mutts in the VIP tent to benefit Danny and Ron’s Rescue.  Patrons also had the chance to bid on several silent auction items donated by Hot To Trot Boutique, Oak Manor Saddlery, Equine Divine, and The Gamboa Family.  Raffle tickets had also been sold throughout the week for several beautiful gift baskets with all proceeds going directly this wonderful charity.  Wendy Arndt and Team IEC sponsored the dinner and the sounds of New Holland Rd. entertained the crowd following the class.

A strong field of 22 competitors was on hand to try their luck at the challenging course designed by J. P. Godard. 6 entries out of the original field graduated to the jump off and with the double 5 AB giving the majority of the class trouble it came down to just two clear rounds.  Second to go in the jump off Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, NC and Kendra Bullington’s 8 year old mare Patent Pending turned in a fast and precise trip with a time of 33.129 establishing the time to beat.  Last week’s Open Welcome Stake winner Josh Dolan and his Skylands Con Chino Z were the last pair to enter the ring and gave Chopping a run for his money finishing with the only other clear round and a time of 33.939 just .810 seconds behind Chopping and Patent Pending who would end up the victors.  Karen Kerby’s T/Salemon and Daniel Geitner finished third, Tokade De Kalvarie and Natalie Johnson fourth, Marie Le Menestrel’s Aero and Dustin Ball were fifth, and rounding out the top 6 was George and owner rider Kitt Ritter.  The winners Chopping and Patent Pending received a trophy and Fenwick Equestrian High Performance Body Guard Cooler provided by Fenwick Equestrian.

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Daniel Geitner Dominates the Opening Days of the Aiken Fall Festival II

Zo Doro and Daniel Geitner. Pictures - Shawn McMillen Photography

September 17th, 2011 ~ Week II of the 2011 Aiken Fall Festival is well underway and while the cooler temps of Fall have arrived the action in the show rings is heating up.  One of the busiest riders on the show grounds Aiken, SC resident rider Daniel Geitner started his week of right by capturing the $5,000 Open Welcome Jumper Stake on Ann Ritter’s Jumbo Jet on Thursday evening out on the grass field.  J. F. Gagne’s Gagne International sponsored a pizza party under the VIP tent during the class for spectators and exhibitors to enjoy.

Geitner continued his winning ways on Friday dominating the hunter divisions by capturing the Green Working Hunter championship on Robin Hugh’s Zo Doro, the reserve championship on Paige Wilson’s Best Foot Forward and the High Performance Hunter Championship on Mrs. Janet Peterson’s Damocles.  Damocles and Geitner also garnered the At A Glance Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Grand Champion Hunter with the highest number of points accumulated in the working divisions throughout the two week show series.  The pair and owner Janet Peterson received a custom cooler donated by Integrity Fine Equestrian Linens and their name engraved on the perpetual trophy.

Other championships awarded on Friday included:

*Performance Working Hunter 3’3 – Callatos owned by Willoughby Stables and ridden by Bruce Christin
*Pre Green Hunter 3′ – Edisto owned by Betsy Fauntleroy and ridden by Elena Portu
*Pre Green Hunter 3’3 – Marksmann owned by Marilla Van Beuren and ridden by Liza Boyd
*Baby Green Hunter – Summerton owned by Thomas Rogers and ridden by Liza Boyd

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Aiken Fall Festival Kicks Off to Gorgeous Weather and a Week Packed with Special Events

Marksman and Liza Boyd. All pictures by Shawn McMillen

September 12th, 2011 ~ The first week of competition for the 2011 Aiken Fall Festival came to a close yesterday.  The two week hunter jumper show series is managed by J. P. Godard and his Equus Events and took place September 8-11 at Highfields Event Center in Aiken, SC.  This week’s sold out show was jam packed with many special classes and events and the horse-centric town of Aiken makes it a prime stop on everyone’s calendar.  Exhibitors were delighted with the gorgeous weather and the Aiken Fall Festival really stepped it up to make all of its guests feel welcome with good southern hospitality and most importantly a well-organized event.  All attending were treated to nightly parties and daily hospitality including breakfast, daily snacks, and an ice cream party on Saturday all courtesy of the show’s hospitality sponsors; Allison Mills, Beaver River Farm, Booth Parker, Christison Stables, Willoughby Stables, DFG Stables, Debi Friedman, Gagne International, Gamboa Veterinary Services, John and Leslie Kasper, Liz Tarumianz, Summit Springs Farm, LLC, The Farm House, The Stables Restaurant, The Wilcox, Travinia Italian Kitchen, and Wendy Arndt and Team IEC.  While the VIP tent events are free to exhibitors, donations were taken for this week’s beneficiary Children’s Place of Aiken, SC (www.childrensplaceinc.org). “We are extremely excited with our turnout this year,” said show organizer J. P. Godard.  “We are completely sold out this week and even with putting up more stalls next week, we still have a waiting list. In these tough economic times I feel people are picking and choosing what shows to attend and Equus Events is really striving to put on events that are the benchmark in our area.”

The week kicked off on Thursday with the featured class being the $5,000 Open Welcome Jumper Stake.  Josh Dolan of Hilton Head, SC guided his Skylands Con Chino Z to the blue taking top honors over Christina Jason and her Tamino who finished second with Claire Lee White and High Roller finishing in third.  After the class everyone was invited to an Exhibitor Welcome Party at The Stables Restaurant and Beer Garden at the Rose Hill Estate in downtown Aiken.  The party featured food, libations, and the sounds of local Aiken band Preston and Weston with a few Aiken Fall Festival exhibitors even taking to the mic a time or two!  A great time was had by all and many thanks to The Stables Restaurant for the wonderful party.

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Aiken Fall Festival Just Around the Corner

August, 25th 2011 – The closing date for the 2011 Aiken Fall Festival Horse Show is just under a week away, but crew and staff at Equus Events have been busily preparing for the event all summer long. The show, a USEF “A” rated event will take place September 8-11 and 15-18 at Highfields Event Center in horse-centric Aiken, SC.  The show has become a “staple” on the fall social and event calendar according to the Aiken Standard and it’s easy to see why.  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

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Atlanta Summerfest and Aiken Fall Festival Offer a Variety of Opportunities for Competitors

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

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