Highlights from the Aiken Fall Festival

Details: Written by: Mindful Media; Published: 27 September 2023

Bruce’s Field-Aiken,SC September 6-10 and 13-17, 2023

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Equus Event’s Aiken Fall Festival Horse Show came to an end this past weekend at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, SC. The 2023 version marked the 13th year of the annual event which has continued to grow and attract some of the countries top horses and riders year after year. Highlights of this years show included the annual $7,500 William E. Howard III Memorial Professional USHJA National Hunter Derby, a $7,500 Junior Amateur USHJA National Hunter Derby, the South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association’s Governors Cup Medal Finals, the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships South, two $30,000 Grand Prix’s and much more. Exhibitors and trainers alike were treated to daily hospitality courtesy of the Aiken Fall Festival Hospitality Sponsors which was capped off by “Yappy Hour” on Friday September 15th to benefit Ron and Dannys Rescue which was sponsored by Marketmoor LLC, Team IEC, and Wendy Arndt. The evening featured libations, catering from Park Avenue Oyster Bar and Grill and live music by One Stop Shop.

Congratulations and many thanks to all of the participants, sponsors, spectators,

staff, officials, and vendors for making this years event such a huge success.

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$7,500 William E. Howard III Memorial Professional USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by G Farms winner- Superlative owned by Blakey Ansley and ridden by Lindsay Ayers

$7,500 Junior Amateur Owner USHJA National Derby sponsored by Debbie Smith winner- Gigi Phillips and Thunderbird

Annie Bolling and Mykonos SCF (below) were unbeatable in the $8,000 Welcome Stakes at the Aiken Fall Festival taking home the win both weeks. Many thanks to Deirdre Vaillancourt and Aiken SC Properties as well as Aiken Saddlery for sponsoring the Welcome classes at this year's event.

Daniel Geitner dominated the podium during the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships South during week II of the Aiken Fall Festival taking grand honors with Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC's Coltrane and reserve honors with Andrea Guzinzki's Hazelwood .

Daniel Geitner and Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC's Coltrane

Daniel Geitner and Andrea Guzinzki's Hazelwood

Mattie Worsham and Scorpio took home the win in the Prestige Italia 1.20m Junior Amateur Owner Jumper Classic both weeks as well as the circuit championship award (below). We would like to welcome Prestige and recognize them as one of Equus Events newest sponsors! “Prestige Italia has been designing, manufacturing and distributing saddles and riding accessories since 1974. The first company in the district of Vicenza, known worldwide for the art of tanning, Prestige Italia is internationally renowned for the quality and design of its riding products, specifically saddles and leather harnesses. Made in Italy by vocation, prestige Italia combines the ancient know-how of master saddlers with an industrial manufacturing approach, respectful of everyone involved in the production chain.” (www.prestigeitalia.com)

Mattie Worsham and Scorpio

The top 20 riders who accumulated points throughout the year in the SCHJA Governors Cup were invited to compete at the finals at the Aiken Fall Festival. In the end, after the initial round, a flat phase and a test, it was Gigi Philips who came home the victor. Gigi is trained by Andrea Guzinski. Second place went to Madison Groover trained by Cathy Cram and third place went to Taylor Abraham also trained by Cathy Cram. Riders and exhibitor’s were also treated to breakfast followed by brunch and a Bloody Mary Bar sponsored by SCHJA and Beaver River Farm.

South Carolina Governors Cup Medal Finals winner-Gigi Phillips and Thunderbird

The 2023 South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Governors Cup Medal Finalists

One of the busiest riders, Aiken, SC’s own Daniel Geitner, had a super successful two weeks at the Aiken Fall Festival series riding away with the win in both $30,000 Grand Prix’s on two different mounts.

$30,000 Aiken Fall Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Park Avenue Oyster Bar and Grill winner- Oak Ledge Farm’s Fazous and Daniel Geitner

$30,000 R. Bruce Duchossois Grand Prix sponsored by Barb Gould Uskup and Find Aiken Homes and Farms winner- November Hill’s Jalanne and Daniel Geitner

Aiken Fall Festival Grand Championship Awards

Grand Green Hunter

“At A Glance Memorial Perpetual Trophy”

UNDENIABLE - ANN RICE ERVIN - HUNTER KAY

Amateur Owner Hunters 3'3

CREEKSIDE - GIGI MANIGAULT - GIGI MANIGAULT

Amateur Owner Hunters 3'6

“Dady’s Girl Memorial Trophy”

BRILJANT Z - LOUGHLIN SPORT HORSES - GRACE LOUGHLIN

Junior Hunters 3'3

“Rio Oro Perpetual Trophy”

GREAT WONDER - ELLA FRANK

Junior Hunters 3'6

“Joyce Lineberger Memorial Perpetual Trophy”

DAY WON - MARY CAROLINE NOLAN

Adult Amateur Hunters

CADES COVE - BRIGHT SHADE FARM STABLES, INC

ADELLA THOMPSON

Children's Hunters

VENETO - OLDFIELDS SCHOOL - TAYLOR ABRAHAM

Low Child/Adult Hunters

ARTIST'S PROOF - THOMAS THOMASSON

Small Ponies

FALLING MOON HUCKLEBERRY - GLADE RUN FARM LLC ADELINE BOYD

Medium Ponies and overall Grand Pony

“Good Golly Miss Molly Trophy”

SYDNEY - FINALLY FARM, INC. - ELLE BOYD

Large Ponies

HEAVEN'S GIFT - LULU WELLS

Children's Hunter Pony

HIDDEN SPRINGS COSMOS - LINDA EVANS - ARDEN BLINDE

Short/Long Stirrup Hunter

TOBOLSK - MADISON MEEK - ANN HARRIOT ERVIN

Adult Jumpers 1.10m

TORNESCHS'AS - OLIVIA TUCCILLO

Child Jumpers 1.10m

BUILT TO LAST - ALEXANDER WINSLOW

Junior/Amateur Jumpers 1.20m & 1.30m

SCORPIO - PENNY WORSHAM - MATTIE WORSHAM

Equus Events would like to thank this years sponsors for their continued support of the Aiken Fall Festival;

Deirdre Vaillancourt and Aiken, SC Properties, Barb Uskup and Find Aiken Homes and Farms, The Tack Room, Aiken Saddlery, Braemer Road, DFG Stables, Hillford Farm, Chesnut Hill Farm, Dresden Manor Farm, Park Ave Oyster Bar and Grill, G Farms, Debbie Smith, Beaver River Farms, Marketmoor LLC, Prestige Italia, Interventional and Alternative Spine and Wellness, The Inn at Hounds Lake, Team IEC, Cedarhill Farm, A&S Photography and Tito's Vodka.

Many thanks to our friends at Board in Aiken and Park Avenue Oyster Bar and Grill for providing our exhibitors with fabulous hospitality during both weeks of competition.

Looking for photos? A&S photography has you covered! Thank you to Ann and Sara Stanton for the beautiful photos of our winners and for your continued support as Equus Events official horse show photographer. You can also now find your photos online at ashorseshowphoto.photostockplus.com

Complete horse show results can be found at www.horseshowsonline.com

Upcoming dates to remember!

October at Bruces Field

October 19-22, 2023

October 26-29, 2023

USEF National A Rated

Level 3 Jumper

The Aiken Horse Park @ "Bruce's Field"

Aiken, SC

Atlanta Fall Classic I & II

November 9-12, 2023

November 16-19, 2023