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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!

Visiting beautiful Aiken, SC over the spring and summer vacation season? 

Here are 10 great things to see and do while you are here!

1)  Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame-  www.aikenracinghalloffame.com  139 Dupree Street in Hopeland Gardens.  803-642-7631 for more information.

2)  Dupont Planetarium- on the campus of USCA.  http://rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/ 471 University Parkway  803-631-6354

3)  Hitchcock Woods- over 2100 acres of walking, jogging, horseback riding, or dog walking trails.  www.hitchcockwoods.org 803-642-0528

4)  Aiken Center for the Arts- 122 Laurens Street, in the historic district  www.aikencenterforthearts.com  803-641-9094

5)  The Alley in Downtown Aiken-  Historically a row of blacksmith’s shops and stables the  cultural chic of shopping and dining. www.downtownaiken.com 803-649-2221

6)  The Willcox Inn- established in 1898 has entertained guests such as Gloria Vanderbilt and the Duke of Windsor. www.thewillcox.com 803-648-1898

7)  The Aiken Training Track- 620 Two Notch Road- built in 1891 some of thoroughbred racing’s elite still train here today! www.theaikentrainingtrack.com 704-648-4631

8)  The Track Kitchen- grab your cup and join them for great coffee and amazing food-  420 Mead Ave. 803-641-9628

9)  Hopeland Gardens and Rye Patch- Gardens, Gardens, and more Gardens! Whiskey Road 803-642-7650

10)  Aiken County Historical Museum- 433 Newberry Street, www.aikencounty.net 803-642-2015

*** Published by True South Communities.  May contain errors, for entertainment purposes only.

Phil Mickelson has won the 2010 Masters Tournament.  The now three time winner known for taking risky shots never stopped pushing the envelope.  He entered the back nine with just a one stroke lead over 2nd place finisher Lee Westwood and finished five under par.  This win will be especially sweet for Mickelson as his return to the green came just months prior after taking some time off to be with his wife who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

From Youtube User 56animator who states CBS All rights reserved

Today saw sons dressed in mini white caddy attire carrying golf bags larger than their stature, and fathers laughing with crowds as the traditional Par 3 contest was held at Augusta National today.  The traditional pre-Masters event is a favorite among players, fans, and their kids.  A laid back (if the field of elite that wins the right to participate in the best of the best contest can be described as that) par three holds some superstitious lore that invites golfers to  sigh a breath of relief when then don’t win.  You see, no winner of the short par 3 contest has ever one the Masters Tournament in the same contest.  This years winner Louis Oosthuizen a 27 year old from South Africa is surely going to bed tonight hoping the weekend will bring not only bring with it the dawning of a hallowed “Green” Jacket, but the end of the ”intrigue” some even call a curse that comes with winning the 57 year old Par 3 pre-Masters Tournament. (source Masters.com)

Following are the pairings for tommorows regular competition scheduled to kick off tommorow morning as Augusta continues to woo its visitors with beautiful weather and souther hospitality. 

Weather:  Highs predicted in the mid seventies and rain to begin late evening. (source weather.com)

7:50 a.m. — Nathan Green, Heath Slocum, Louis Oosthuizen

8:01 a.m.— Craig Stadler, John Merrick, Jerry Kelly

8:12 a.m.— Ian Woosnam, Brian Gay, Marc Leishman

8:23 a.m.— Bernhard Langer, Scott Verplank, a-Brad Benjamin

8:34 a.m.— John Senden, David Toms, Graeme McDowell

8:45 a.m.— Mark O’Meara, Rory Sabbatini, a-Nathan Smith

8:56 a.m.— Martin Kaymer, Geoff Ogilvy, Luke Donald

9:07 a.m. — Tom Watson, Tim Clark, Steve Marino

9:18 a.m. — Bill Haas, Todd Hamilton, Anders Hansen

9:29 a.m.— Dustin Johnson, Oliver Wilson, Alvaro Quiros

9:40 a.m.— Mike Weir, Lee Westwood, a-Matteo Manassero

10:02 a.m.— Chad Campbell, Francesco Molinari, Paul Casey

10:13 a.m. — Ernie Els, Anthony Kim, Ryo Ishikawa

10:24 a.m.— Angel Cabrera, Jim Furyk, a-Byeong-Hun An

10:35 a.m.— Phil Mickelson, Robert Allenby, Y.E. Yang

10:46 a.m.— Retief Goosen, Hunter Mahan, Robert Karlsson

10:57 a.m.— Ben Crane, Simon Dyson, Michael Campbell

11:08 a.m.— Larry Mize, Ryan Palmer, Chris Wood

11:19 a.m.— Sandy Lyle, Justin Leonard, Kevin Na

11:30 a.m.— Ben Crenshaw, Steve Flesch, a-Ben Martin

11:41 a.m.— Ryan Moore, Ross Fisher, Nick Watney

11:52 a.m.— Trevor Immelman, Soren Hansen, John Rollins

12:14 a.m.— Vijay Singh, Jason Dufner, Sean O’Hair

12:25 p.m.— Thongchai Jaidee, Ben Curtis, Soren Kjeldsen

12:36 p.m.— Camilo Villegas, Kenny Perry, Rory McIlroy

12:47 p.m.— Zach Johsnon, Henrik Stenson, a-Chang-won Han

12:58 p.m.— Fred Couples, Sergio Garcia, Shingo Katayama

1:09 p.m.— Miguel Angel Jimenez, Edoardo Molinari, Lucas Glover

1:20 p.m. — Charl Schwartzel, Stewart Cink, Padraig Harrington

1:31 p.m.— Yuta Ikeda, Ian Poulter, Steve Stricker

1:42 p.m. — Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, K.J. Choi

1:53 p.m.— Adam Scott, David Duval, Ricky Barnes.

*** for entertainment purposes only may contain errors.

Well the last two days have seen excitement in Florida as the Space Shuttle launched historically with three women aboard and Commander Alan Poindexter behind the controls.  The day was perfect and onlookers were treated to an early morning dusk launch that was exhilarating and inspiring. In record setting fashion this, the first of four remaining Discovery voyages before the program retires, saw three women astronauts join an additional female who is already on the Space Shuttle that Discovery will service during their nine day voyage. 

Later in the evening in the heart of the midwest, host of the final four Indianapolis welcomed one of its own schools as a fairytale unfolded and the moments that make blockbuster movies began to unfold.  Under”dog” and non top ten powerhouse Butler University met big Ten Duke in the NCAA Championship game. 

Perfectly coached from both sides of the bench Cinderella almost found her glass slippers but alas a last minute shot that would have handed the game to Butler fell just short of landing in the basket.  Duke won being held to only 61 points while Butlers 59 points will serve as a reminder that with courage, persistence, and excellent leadership even a big Ten school has the potential of being beaten a sports fact that great coach  Bobby Knight taught us long ago.

Settled pristinely in the middle of both All American events on a sunny afternoon in Augusta, Georgia the heralded beginning of the 2010 Masters Tournament came as precisely as the event itself is run.  Practice rounds were all that was scheduled for Monday and many players took the course and settled in to what is sure to be a fabulous and interesting week(end). 

Pairings were announced today and will be posted on this Blog tommorrow.    The weather, one of Augusta’s  calling cards, spoke in altruistic fashion with temperatures reaching a record high of 91 during the mid afternoon sun.  This broke a record set of 89 degrees set back in 1988.  It did not deter the fans, however, and many were out with visors and hand fans to catch a glimpse of a fabulous line-up of pros.

Life seemed to be well, and normal, as multi-year winner Tiger Woods joined Fred Couples as he stepped back onto the proverbial “green” for a practice round in an earlier than expected arrival to the dance. And in true Masters practice round tradition cries of “skippy” could be heard on the 16th hole as the  players entertained fans with their attempts to skip balls across the water on the hole. 

This year in Augusta and Aiken, South Carolina Southern charm and hospitality continues to flow deep, and rich in the heart of Iron and Wood country.  It will be a good week in golf, a very good week in deed.

*** for entertainment purposes only may contain errors

Tiger Woods is not the only thing to watch at this years 2010 Master’s Tournament.   Be sure to check out the following great things to do in Aiken, South Carolina during Master’s Week! 

Masters Week 2010 will be held April 5th, 2010 to April 11th, 2010 at the acclaimed Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia a suburb of Aiken, South Carolina.

Pairings    *    Players   *    Schedule   *    The Course   *    History

1)  Pick up your 3D capable television set or computer.  For the first time in history the Masters Tournament will be filmed in 3D and made available for computers and televisions with 3D capability. 

2)  Watch Tiger Wood’s much anticipated return to golf as he goes for his fifth win at Augusta National.  Previous wins occurred in 1997, 2001, 2002, and 2005

3)  Attend any of Aiken, South Carolina’s real estate listings participating in the first annual National Realtor Association’s National Open House on April 10th, and 11th.  Listings for the Open House event may be found at www.aikenmls.com.  Look for the Blue and White balloons!

4)  Attend a Polo match on Sunday (every Sunday) at 3:00 at Whitney Field.  Aiken is known for Polo so experiencing it here is truly something any equestrian enthusiast should do.

5)  Enjoy the Arts with this years celebration of Aiken, South Carolina’s 175th birthday.  Artist Jim Harrison will exhibit “Scenes of Aiken” at the Aiken Center for the Arts during Masters week.  Admission is free. Contact Kristin Brown at (803) 641-9094 Celebrate Aiken!

6)  Attend a play performed by the Aiken Community Playhouse on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 8:00 p.m.  The group will be displaying their acting acumen as they enact a play based on what else… Golf!  “The Foursome” will be shown in Aiken, South Carolina at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

7)  Enjoy a tour of Aiken County’s finest Green Home in the community of Kings Ridge.  Built by Donald Cerra this fabulous home is Green to a “T”.  Overlooking a beautiful lake and enjoying a stunning aesthetic tone this home may be viewed on April 10th, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please call 803-335-8468 for an appointment.

8)  Purchase your tickets for the much anticpated Aiken Battle of the Bands to be held on April 16th at the USCA Convocation Center.  Tickets are 12.00 to this event which is anticipated to be sold out.  Part of the proceeds benefit the Aiken County United Way organization.

9)  Sign your kids up for Aiken’s Spring Break Art Camp at the Aiken Center for the Arts.  Kids from ages 5 and up will enjoy this years theme; Beach Bound!  Visit www.aikencenterforthearts.org for more information.

10)  Attend a Free Movie at the Aiken County Library all week this week from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Show Titles are as follows:  Aliens in the Attic, Planet 51, Aliens and Monsters, Space Buddies, and Astro Boy!