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
Local riders had their chance to shine on Friday evening during the Aiken Fall Festival’s annual Hunt Night. Spectators were treated to hors d’oeuvres under the VIP tent as strong contingent of horses and riders turned out for the competition. The course designed by Joe Carnicom of Toledo, OH included many natural obstacles reminiscent of the hunt field including natural logs, coops, roll tops, and a bank. Consistency was the key for Cathy Chambers and her Oscar as they captured the Field Hunter and Handy Hunter Derby Championship for the second year in a row. In the Hunt Teams, the Live Oaks Hounds team of Patti Brantley, Kathy Nofsinger, and Arnie Bloom captured the blues in an exciting finish! “Thanks so much for hosting such a great Hunt Night yet again!” Chambers exclaimed. “Wonderful courses, pretty jumps and great competition! I look forward to it each year and tonight was even better with cool temps making it a pleasure to wear all our hunt attire! A Special thanks to all my friends and family (Sarah and Cameron) for coming to help and support me as well as my Trainer Mike Sharp for getting me there and of course my horse Oscar. Go Why Worry Hounds (my hunt)!”
The Aiken Fall Festival continues today with action in the hunter and jumper rings featuring the $15,000 Aiken Fall Festival Jumper Classic tonight at 6 pm along with Mexican Fiesta and Open Jam sponsored by Team IEC and Wendy Arndt. The party will also feature Margaritas For Mutts to benefit Danny and Ron’s Rescue. The party is free to exhibitor and spectators but donations to this week’s beneficiary Danny and Ron’s Rescue are appreciated. There are also many wonderful raffle items being given away so make sure to purchase your tickets before the drawing tonight. For more information and complete horse show results please go to www.equusevents.com or call 803-643-5698.