Olympic-bound riders and horses expected to compete
“The whole purpose behind a showcase eventing competition is the spectators,” enthuses Kate Boggan, Aiken Horse Park’s director of marketing and communications. “We want to get non- horse people to come out and see what it’s all about,” she says of the event slated for February 28 and 29.
Grand Prix Eventing is a condensed version of eventing, a demanding competition that is often described as a triathlon on horseback. In the two-day showcase format, each horse and rider combination performs a dressage test of graceful movements to demonstrate training and precision. Later that day, the same horse and rider pairs compete in show jumping where the goal is to “go clear”, to jump the course in the time allowed without knocking down or refusing any of the jumps. But the most exciting phase, cross country, takes place on the second day. Here, the course of imposing, solid jumps assesses boldness and stamina. Kate explains that world renowned course designer Captain Mark Phillips stepped up to the challenge of designing the course through and around all the horse park’s arenas with the goal of allowing all spectators to get close to the action.
“Obviously Saturday’s cross country is the most excitement for the non-horseperson. It is the heart and soul of eventing,” Kate insists. “Ask any eventer. They don’t do it for the dressage or the show jumping, they love the cross country.” She adds, “It’s an adrenaline packed day. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic if you want – make a day of it.” The gates open at 10 am and the first horse will take on the cross country course at about 2:30 pm. Spectators are encouraged to come early to peruse the vendor village and various activities for kids.
2020 marks the second year of Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field, the Aiken Horse Park, at 931 Powderhouse Road. This year’s event will be held on February 28 and 29. LiftMaster has again signed on as Title Sponsor for the competition that includes $50,000 in prize money, with the winner taking home $15,000. A huge hit in its inaugural year, LiftMaster Grand Prix Eventing attracted many top riders representing six countries. Aiken proudly claims three of the sport’s top competitors as its own, and they have all taken a lead in planning the event. Phillip Dutton, three-time Olympic medal winner, serves as chairman of the organizing committee for this year’s showcase, while other local top ranked eventers, Boyd Martin and Doug Payne, both serve on the committee.
“It’s exciting to have Grand Prix eventing in Aiken for the second year,” begins Phillip. “It was a big hit with the local community last year and a great competition between some of the best horses and riders in the world.” With enthusiasm he adds, “2020 is shaping up to be bigger and better!”
“It’s going to be super exciting because it is an Olympic year. I am sure that some of the horse and rider combinations at the showcase are those you will see on the team in Tokyo,” says Kate. She explains that it is an invitational event and they have set the maximum number of riders at 40. “We begin by inviting the top 40 world ranked riders and go from there,” she says.
Many of the top riders have already expressed an interest in riding in the event, including superstar eventer William Fox-Pitt. Not only did Fox-Pitt travel from Great Britain to ride in the event last year, but he also led a course walk prior to the cross country rides. “He took anyone who wanted to join in around the whole course, explaining strategy and what the riders would be thinking about along the way. It is a great experience for the non-horseperson as well as the seasoned rider,” Kate says. The course walk was so well received last year that it will definitely be offered again this year.
In keeping with the Aiken Horse Park Foundation’s mission “to promote Aiken’s equestrian way of life and to encourage the community’s civic, educational, and charitable endeavors,” the event will once again feature its Ride for Charity, in which each rider represents a participating local charity. The top three finishers will each receive a check for his or her respective charity: 1st place $2500, 2nd place $1500, and 3rd place $1000.
Especially fun for the locals is the fact that the cross country fences were designed by Captain Phillips and course builder Eric Bull to pay homage to Aiken’s rich history. The jumps depict such familiar sights as the Aiken Train Depot, the Willcox, and the adorable fox squirrels that reside in Hitchcock Woods. Kate notes that two new jumps have been added to the course this year as she grins, saying, “They are a bit of a surprise.”
According to Kate, last year’s turnout of approximately 5,000 was a total surprise. “We were completely overwhelmed. We were hoping to get 1,000 spectators. It really showed in the food vendors and the porta potties,” she admits adding, “This year we are over preparing. We are planning everything to accommodate 10,000 people.”
Advance passes are available online at a discounted price of $25, good for both days of the event. At the gate, tickets are $20 each day. Admission for children 12 and under is free both days. There will be free parking on the grounds, but it is limited. A very limited number of VIP passes will be available, for online purchase only, at a cost of $400 each. Included is a VIP parking pass next to the tent, admission to the Thursday night welcome party with all the riders, and full access to the VIP tent with drinks and food, and another party on Friday night.
The popular craft beer garden will again be featured on Saturday throughout the afternoon. While the cross country jumping rounds are expected to finish shortly after 4 pm, the addition of live music afterwards will “keep the party going,” says Kate.
To purchase advance tickets, and for more information, visit AikenHorsePark.org
“It was a big hit with the local community last year and a great competition between some of the best horses and riders in the world.”
Phillip Dutton, three time Olympic medal winner
