So you live in or near Aiken, one of the “horsiest” towns in America, but you don’t ride and may not have any desire to do so. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the great entertainment available year-round at many local facilities. Equestrian sports feature top athletes, both horses and their human partners, the relationship between the two being crucial to success.
To enjoy equestrian competition, it is helpful to know a bit about the various types, often referred to as disciplines. For example, when two riders first meet, their initial question would most likely be, “What is your discipline?” An expected response would be, “I ride dressage,” or “I mostly show jumpers, but do some hunters.”
Off to the Races
So let’s look at the predominant disciplines in Aiken, beginning with the easiest for a spectator to understand. That would be flat racing. Your mind is picturing the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. And while you won’t see any thoroughbred racing in Aiken, a visit to the Aiken Training Track may give you a preview of some young hopefuls for the elite races for three-year-olds. An amazing number of race horses with wins at such prestigious races as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, and other big national races got their start at the quaint Aiken Training Track. Most recently, Palace Malice was cheered on by his Aiken fans to win the Belmont in 2013. It’s well worth a stop at the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame, located within Hopelands Gardens, to learn more about Aiken’s many connections to “the sport of Kings.”
While there is no competitive flat racing, the Aiken Steeplechase Association hosts steeplechase meets each March and October. Both meets are sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association. The name steeplechase is derived from the sport’s early roots, when the race routes literally ran across country from one church steeple to another. Founded in 1930, Aiken Steeplechase, which benefits numerous local charities, is firmly cemented in the community as a fun family event regardless of one’s connection with horses. Spectators look to outdo one another with their tailgate spreads where private betting pools are the norm. For some, at the spring meet especially, it is a “dress to impress” affair with the ladies donning elegant outfits and, of course, fancy hats! Like flat racing, it’s easy to follow — the winner is the first to cross the finish line (with its rider still in the saddle). The added element of hurdles (jumps) adds to the excitement. Both steeplechase meets are currently held at the Aiken Horse Park at 931 Powderhouse Road SE, but plans are in the works to move it to another nearby location following the 2021 spring meet. A variety of ticket and parking options are offered; all are discounted if purchased in advance.
Huge Field, Little Ball
Polo is also fairly straightforward, although there is a lot more going on strategy-wise than is apparent to a novice spectator. Obviously, the opposing teams are attempting to score goals by hitting the ball through the goalposts. Throughout the spring and fall, two outstanding facilities, Aiken Polo Club and New Bridge Polo, draw some of the world’s best players, so the action is always fast and fun. Polo is a great choice for family outings or an adult tailgate party. General admission to the Aiken Polo Club at 420 Mead Avenue is $5 per person with free parking. Other premium parking and seating options are available. New Bridge Polo at 862 New Bridge Road is free to the public for most games, with a modest fee for benefit tournaments. Games, culminating in tournaments at the end of each season, are held throughout the spring and fall at New Bridge Polo.
Up, Up, and Over
Let’s move on to another discipline that is very easy to follow and also very exciting to watch — show jumpers. This is one of the few equestrian sports that is included in the Olympics. The horses enter the arena one at a time to jump a prescribed course of fences. The goal is to clear all of the jumps, which are not only high but often wide as well. A “knockdown” incurs faults, but “ticking” or “rubbing” the jump is not penalized. Of course, stopping or “refusing” a fence or ducking out to the side of it, known as “running out,” also results in faults. In most jumper classes, there is a reasonable time limit for the first round. Then it gets really exciting as the horses that “go clean,” that is, have no faults in the first round, return to jump an altered course against the clock. The goal is to have the fastest round, but again without any jumping faults. The most skilled riders often shave off fractions of seconds by cutting corners or taking jumps at difficult angles. Jumper courses are set at various heights and levels of difficulty depending on the skill of both horse and rider. The most challenging are the Grand Prix classes that offer considerable prize money and attract top competitors. Both the Highfields Event Center at 118 Gaston Road and the Aiken Horse Park on Powderhouse Road host shows that include a Grand Prix class. Admission is free at both venues. You can also see jumpers compete on a slightly lower level at a number of shows held at local farms.
Tradition and Elegance
Now, moving on to show hunters, things get a little bit more challenging from a spectator’s standpoint. Note the word “show”. This word differentiates these horses from field hunters, who actually follow a pack of foxhounds cross country in pursuit of fox or other quarry. Although the courses jumped by show hunters are designed to simulate those found in the hunt field — with stone walls and gates — today very few show hunters have ever seen the hunt field. Unlike jumpers, judging of hunters is subjective. Basically, the judges are looking for a horse’s style over the jumps as well as an even pace and movement between the jumps. At the more competitive shows with highly schooled horses, the determination of ribbon winners can come down to very subtle differences. In Aiken, there are many shows year-round that offer opportunities for show hunters of all levels. The top level shows at both Highfields and the Aiken Horse Park often include classes known as Hunter Derbies. These classes, of interest to the most experienced horses and riders, offer challenging courses and substantial prize money. They are typically judged using a numerical scoring system, which makes it easier for spectators to understand. A hunter show of special note for spectators is the Aiken Horse Show, which has been held in Hitchcock Woods each spring for the past 103 years! This show, which benefits the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, is a rare example of the old-time charm of the horse shows from earlier decades. A nominal parking fee is charged at this show; you can also hike in.
Dancing Horses
Dressage, which is included in the Olympic Games, is another subjective discipline, and it involves no jumping. The horses are judged one by one as they perform a prescribed pattern in the arena known as a “test”. As horses and their riders advance through the various levels of dressage, the tests become increasingly difficult. The highest level of competition, Grand Prix, is breathtaking, and even a novice spectator will enjoy watching the horses perform dancelike movements. Top level dressage shows often include a class in which competitors perform a freestyle choreographed ride in which they highlight their horse’s strengths while still meeting specific technical requirements. These musical “kurs” are especially appealing to spectators, as are “pas de deux” rides in which two riders perform together, often to music, in mirror image to one another. Dressage shows, from schooling shows to the highly competitive, can be found year round at various show grounds in the Aiken area, among them Stable View at 117 Stable Drive and the Aiken Horse Park on Powderhouse Road.
Triathlon with Horses
Eventing, also known as three-day eventing or horse trials, can be described as a triathlon on horseback. With its roots in the cavalry, eventing was designed to test a horse and rider’s skill in three distinct phases: first, dressage to evaluate training and precision; followed by cross-country, to assess boldness and stamina; and finally, show jumping for speed and accuracy. Eventing is keenly contested as an Olympic sport and Aiken boasts several team members in recent years. Let’s focus on the cross-country phase, as we have already discussed dressage and show jumping. At the highest levels of eventing competition, the cross-country jumps can be very imposing. Unlike jumping in an arena, these courses require galloping up and down hills, through water, across ditches, over solid jumps, etc., and are thrilling to watch. In addition to the traditional format, there are also a number of one-day events held locally in which all three phases are held on one day. Eventing competitions are held at Stable View at 117 Stable Drive, Full Gallop Farm at 3828 Wagener Road, Sporting Days Farm at 3549 Charleston Highway, Paradise Farm at 4069 Wagener Road, and Jumping Branch Farm at 179 Fox Pond Road. A modified version of eventing, known as Grand Prix eventing, premiered at the Aiken Horse Park in 2019 and will return in February 2020. This competition, held over two days, attracts top international horses and riders and is very spectator friendly. The cross-country course is challenging, and it is designed to allow the public to see the entire course up close, which adds to the excitement.
Driving Daredevils
Combined driving, somewhat akin to eventing, features a driving horse or horses. This discipline evaluates the driver’s ability as well as each horse’s obedience, speed, and athleticism. The first phase is a dressage test consisting of scored movements in an arena. Next, the cross-country marathon tests each horse’s fitness and stamina as well as the driver’s accuracy. The hazards, to be completed as quickly as possible, include water, steep hills, and sharp turns. The final phase consists of a winding course of narrowly set cones; the competitors are to drive the course as quickly as possible without knocking the cones over with the carriage wheels. The driver may compete with a single horse, a pair of horses, or a team of four horses. In all cases, the driver/horse(s) combination accumulates penalty points throughout each phase of competition; the winners are those who accumulate the fewest penalty points throughout the three phases. Several combined driving events are held in the Windsor area, which is known for its driving enthusiasts.
Now you know the basics of many of the various horse sports in the area. Keep an eye on this column in Bella for updates and more complete information on upcoming equestrian events. Be adventurous and do some horsin’ around in Aiken!
One of many equestrian sports in Aiken, polo has lots of action and can be enjoyed by all ages
