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!

Belmont Stakes 2010- Drosselmeyer

Preakness Stakes 2010- Lookin at Lucky

Kentucky Derby Stakes- 2010 Super Saver

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.

This Weeks Theme is Spring is Busting out All Over in Aiken, SC!

1) Monday, May 3rd through Saturday, May 8th join in the Celebrate Aiken activities as Jim Harrison “Scenes of Aiken” Exhibition is shown at the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St., Aiken. View the poster nationally know artist, Harrison has completed for the 175th anniversary celebration. For more information call 803-641-9094 or visit www.aikencenterforthearts.org

2) Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 attend an 1830′s Picnic and Lawn Party to be held at the Rye Patch as part of the ongoing Celebrate Aiken event schedule. Admission is free-bring your own lunch.

3) WWE Smackdown at the USCA Convocation Center, 375 Robert Bell Pkwy., Aiken. www.Georgialinatix.com or call 803-643-6901 for more information.

4) Join the Aiken Bicycling Club for a Saturday ride. Rides are held every Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Odell Weeks Activity Center. Contact: tjlexc5@aol.com for more information

5) The lobster race will be held again in downtown Aiken. Join the fun and participate in lobster races, music and lots of great food. Call 803.649.9500 or visit www.lobsterrace.com for more information.

6) The Sixth Annual Aiken Garden Show will be held on May 7th and 8th and is sponsored by the Aiken County Historical Society. More information 803.641.6777. Proceeds to benefit Aiken Land Conservancy & Aiken Garden Club Council.

7) The Aiken Library will hold a book signing on Tuesday, May 4th at 6:00 p.m. with author Susan Richards. Richards book Saddled has just been released.

Birds and Butterflies Nature Series Begins at 7:00 pm on May 4th. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED call; 803-649-7999. Shop discounts & special door prizes and refreshments at each seminar at Birds & Butterflies.

9) May 9th and every Sunday attend a polo match at Whitney Field. Matches begin at 3:00 p.m. 803- 643-3611 for more information.

10) Enjoy a weekly vocal review. Hosted by the Wilcox Inn on Saturday’s during the summer beginning at 6:00 p.m. and lasting until 8:00 p.m. Vocals from times long past will be performed in the main lobby of the Hotel. Call 803-648-1898 for more details.

**** for entertainment purposes only. May contain errors.

This Weeks Theme is Art and Horses, Everywhere… as Aiken celebrates spring through many different artistic and equestrian venues!

1)  Monday April 19th through the 24th join in the Celebrate Aiken activities as Jim Harrison “Scenes of Aiken” Exhibition is shown at the   Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St., Aiken.  View the poster nationally know artist, Harrison has completed for the 175th anniversary celebration.  For more information call 803-641-9094 or visit www.aikencenterforthearts.org

2)  Aiken Center for the Arts announces its exhibits for the month of April: Brooks Gallery – ACA Annual Students Arts Exhibition; Aiken Artist Guild Gallery – Mary Ann Brock.  Exhibits are open from 10 to 5 daily Monday through Friday.  Call the Center for More info, call 803-641-9094.

3)  The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, announces its Spring Exhibits:  ‘The Magnificent Fifty-The Southern Capitols’ through the 24th and  ’Body of work-The Human Figure’ through May 29th.  Also the ‘History of North Augusta Garden Clubs’ , ‘The Artworks of Florence Euganks Connelly & Edith Jackson Alexander, and ‘Tying the Knot A Century of Weddings’ will run through June 26th. ;  For more information call 803-441-4380

4)  The April 4 Goal Invitational Polo Eventis hosted by The Aiken Polo Club;  Whitney Field, Tickets for viewing and the social tent are available. For more information call 803-643-3611 or visit www.aikenpoloclub.org.

5)  ‘The Dixie Swim Club’ theatrical presentation will be held  at the USCA Etherredge Center, on April, 19th and 20th @7:30pm;  Call 803-641-3305 for more information.

6)  On April 24th and 25th the Aiken Bicycle Club will sponsor its annual Aiken to Ride. Bicycle race through Aiken,Wagener and Williston.   For information visit www.aikenbicycleclub.org.

7)  Langley Pond Sprint Triathlon will be held on April 24th at 8:00 a.m..  This event is sponsored by the Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism  For info call 803-642-7559.

8)  Enjoy a fun filled day of Space Exploration as the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center celebrates: National Astronomy Day on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 Rain or shine.  For more info visit: http://rpsec.usca.edu or call 803-641-3313.  The day will also be celebrated at the DuPont Planetarium as they Show ‘To the Moon and Beyond’   Show times 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.For more info visit: http://rpsec.usca.edu or call 803-641-3313.

9)  The Annual Strawberry Festival will be held at  Mead Hall, on Saturday the 24th of April.  Enjoy a festival atmosphere with all the Strawberry delights your taste buds can call for.  Call 803-644-1122 for more information.

10)  A Little Wrestling maybe?  WWE Smackdown at the USCA Convocation Center, Visit www.Georgialinatix.com or call 803-643-6901 for more information on this event to be held on Saturday the 24th of April.

Bonus Events:

11)  AA Spring Mastersto be held at the Highfields Event Center on the 21st through the 25th of April.  For More Information (803) 649-3505 psjshows@aol.com

12)  Join a book discussion on “Undaunted Courage” by Steven Ambrose at the Aiken County Library on Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

13)  On  April 24th join the Aiken Running Club for he Riedell 5K at USCA. More Information:  www.runaiken.com.

For entertainment purposes only.  May contain errors. Published by True South Communities a licensed Real Estate Company located in Aiken, South Carolina.  www.truesouthcommunities.com.