Until recently I was the girl who’s idea of “riding” involved a girl scout uniform and a single row of horses meandering through a pseudo forest.  That was until I began exploring what it means to be “equestrian” in Aiken, South Carolina and the Girl Scout in me got much more than she bargained for!
                                                                                                  
In selecting a “jumping” point into the equestrian scene, I choose initially to lean on the familiar.  Polo was something I had seen in a very good movie once,  and because the venues for this sport in Aiken are plenty and well appointed I  resolved myself to the opinion that Polo was the end all, be all of  ”equestrian.” I could have spent half a lifetime with this equestrian discipline alone.  The numerous polo fields, the many clubs, the organizations focused on giving back to a community they call home, it was mind boggling.

 It was not until a breath of fresh air, with a lot of “horse sense” joined The Team That is True South Communities that I became properly schooled on what equestrian really meant.  Kristy, our resident horse expert, encouraged me to do some research on the many different types of “horse” events and disciplines that make up the culture that is “equestrian” in Aiken, South Carolina. 

Before long, I was mesmerized.  The field of Equestrian Sports is as deep as it is wide and as rough as it is classy.  It speaks a language all its own and it is reserved for those who understand that greatness can be found on dirt road leading next to the Track Kitchen, in a backyard arena, in a community riding ring such as the one at Kings Ridge, on a Polo field, during a fox hunt, or while watching your eight year old during a pony show. 

Greatness in Aiken is found wherever horse hooves meet the earth, and in a town filled with amazing shopping venues, world class culture, and award winning higher learning, that kind of greatness holds a reward all its own.  It is the reward that is found on an early morning ride just as the morning dew is settling on green pastures.  The reward that comes when women grounded in Southern Charm and character, Steel Magnolias to the very core, put on a pair of riding pants, strap on a helmet and eat dust on a trail full gallop all alone and men, women, and children riding atop creatures almost too beautiful for words in a game rich with tradition.

 Yes, in Aiken, there is much greatness to be found!

Dressage-  Competitive dressage has the goal of showing the horse carrying out, on request, the natural movements that it performs without thinking while running loose
United States Dressage Association

Endurance Training- Endurance Racing is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports internationally. This is like a Marathon for horses as opposed to a sprint.  American Endurance Riding Conference    USA Eventing Association

Eventing- Team or individual sport involving dressage, cross country, and jumping.

Equitation-  Reigning refers to a class of English riding in which the rider is judged on maintaining correct riding position and controlling the horse.
Show Jumping- from wikipedia: also known as “stadium jumping” or “jumpers,” is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics.United States Equestrian Federation

Rodeo- A sporting event where contestants show their skills in riding horses, roping cattle, bull riding, barrel racing, and other activities involved in ranching.and some times pole bending and some other events.  National Pro Rodeo Association

Pole Bending- is a timed event that features a and one mounted rider, running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line.
(from wikipedia) The rider will take up a gallop and run past all the poles turning at the last pole. The rider and horse will make a serpentine path through the poles, that is, passing on alternating hands and leads through the poles. When the last pole is reached, the horse and rider continue in a mirror pattern through the poles back to the first one. When the pattern is completed the horse and rider then gallop back past the poles and through the timer. If the rider knocks over a pole he will be penalized, resulting in either disqualification from the event or a 5-second penalty  National Pole Bending Association

Fox Hunting-Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, and chase of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.  Masters of Fox Hunting Association

Polo- from the “free” dictionary:a game like hockey played on horseback with long-handled mallets and a wooden ball.  US Polo Association

Hacking- Riding a horse for pleasure Hitchcock Woods is a great place in Aiken for this!

Steeplechase-  A horse race across open country or over an obstacle course National Steeplechase Association

Carriage Driving Competition-  The driver steers a carriage while a horse or team of horses pulls the carriage during a competition.  This is called, driving a horse rather than riding it. The National Carriage Driving Association

Polocrosse- a goal game combining elements of polo, lacrosse, and netball played by teams of six players mounted on horseback and using a sponge rubber ball and a stick with a head like that of a cross and a handle and shaft like those of a polo stick http://www.americanpolocrosse.org/

Four Board Fences- Like those found in Kings Ridge!  A little more than three four board fencing is also called Kentucky Style fencing and is indicative of an owners willingness to spend a little more protecting his or her livestock and property. 

Aiken, it is everything you hope it will be, and for this girl scout, so very much more!

Spotlight:  One Table visit onetable.org for more details. 

Something not seen in any other community I have lived or visited on the day of feasting we Americans call Thanksgiving happens in downtown Aiken every year!  The ONE TABLE celebration began in 2005 and is an opportunity for neighbors from Aiken to gather together around a community banquet table and enjoy Thanksgiving as a community, just the way the pilgrims did it!  Billed on their website as a “hand shake” rather than a hand out, pictures from events past and comments by local authority and celebrity figures posted on the website tell a story of an amazing opportunity to enjoy all that is Aiken, SC during a time of gratitude and hope for the future!  Details on the event are listed below but you may also contact Kathryn Wade at 803-295-8585.  This year more than 2000 residents are expected to gather from 11:00 to 2:00 in The Ally just behind City Hall. 

1)  One Table-  community Thanksgiving table in The Ally behind City Hall from 11:00 to 2:00 on ThursdayNovember 26th.

2)  The Blessing of the Hounds- The Aiken Hounds opening meet and The Blessing of the Hounds happens on Thanksgiving day, November 26th at 11:00 a.m. visit http://www.aikenhounds.com for more information.

3)  Enjoy a Quilt Show and Exhibit-  Hosted by the Aiken Historical Society enjoy a great display of this amazing form of  artwork that has been handed down as a legacy through the ages.  Show will be from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Aiken Historical Society located on Newberry Street.  803-642-2015 or museum@aikencountysc.gov for more information.

4)  Visit The Jim Harrison Gallery- A customer appreciation event will be hosted on Saturday, November 29th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Jim Harrison will be on site to personally sign any purchased artwork. They will be giving away a free print with each purchase!

5)  It’s A Wonderful Life- the play will be held at the Washington Center for Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday.  Based on the beloved film by Frank Capra the play will be held both nights at 8:00pm.  For more information go to http://www.aikencommunityplayhouse.com.

6)  Attend the United States Equestrian Association Horse Trials at the Pinetop Farm.  Contact 706-449-3039 for more details on this event located in Thompson Georgia and attended by many equestrian lovers in Aiken, SC.

7) Get an Aiken Arts Registry Listing- Aiken continues to compile a list of area artists in a list that can be requested by emailing bgassman@aiken.net.  Need to commission a woodworker, artist, graphic designer, or mixed discipline artist?  This is the place to go for a comprehensive listing of available talent in our area!  If you are an artist wanting to be on the registry, visit HERE for details.

8)  Bike, Bird, or Hike along the Greenway in North Augusta- Just minutes our neighbor, North Augusta offers a seven mile paved greenway path that winds its way through some of our areas most spectacular natural amenities.  Join friends and family in saluting the amazing weather we have in our area by visiting the Greenway today!  A great place to walk off that extra green bean or pineapple casserole you inhaled on Thanksgiving! HERE for more details

9)  Visit the Aiken Farmers Market on Tuesday  to pick up those last minute fresh shopping and decorative items needed for your family feast!  The market is actually open 7 days a week with vendors preferring Tuesday’s and Saturday’s during the winter months beginning in January.  Hours are from 8:30 am to 1:30pm.  Call 803-642-7761 to verify time, produce available and in season and for directions.

10)  Visit a Green Home under constructionand visit with Custom Builder Don Cerra.  Don will explain the benefits of going green as you tour his green home under construction in Kings Ridge, a True South Communities Gated Homestead.  Call 803-335-8468 for an appointment.

* True South Communities does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, familial status, handicap, or national origin. For amusement only information should be confirmed with hosting company/party of each event. Information may contain errors and is subject to change without notice.