Riders successful in Show in the Woods
Several riders enjoyed success the opening day of the 93rd edition of the Aiken Horse Show in the Hitchcock Woods.
Jane McDonald MacLeod and Casey Hodges’ Capitol Z, whose barn name is Henry, won the $1,000 Aiken Horse Show Open Hunter Classic and also placed first in one of the Open Hunter Over Fences divisions.
“It was quite an achievement because I just started riding him Tuesday,” said MacLeod. “He’s an 8-year-old Holsteiner who was imported from Belgium. I’ve hunted him a few times, and he’s done hunter and show jumping classes. I’ve hunted him and dragged him once. I’ve also taken him cross country schooling.”
Daybreak Farm’s Stephanie Von Bidder picked up where she left off last year with The Senator on Friday. The two teamed to win the Corey Family Trophy as the 2008 Open Hunter Champion and won the Open Hunter Under Saddle Class on Friday.
“He was here last year and did really well,” said Von Bidder. “We sold him to a gal from Connecticut, and she’s been showing him all year in the adults (classes), and he did really well. He’s back with me for a little while.”
This is the third Aiken Horse Show in the Woods for Von Bidder. The show’s unique qualities make the event fun, she said.
“It’s different, and it’s in a really beautiful setting,” said Von Bidder. “It sort of draws back to the hunter derbies that they’re now doing at the horse shows. It’s a lot of fun. I’m doing five classes today, and I have my kids going tomorrow – Haley Anderson and her brother Crawford, and they’re going to do the Junior divisions.”
Taylor Myers had a busy day, showing in seven classes and will show in one of the Ladies Sidesaddle classes today. It will be a challenge for Myers who hasn’t ridden sidesaddle in more then two decades.
Myers placed eighth in the 2009 Carolina District Field Hunter Championships in Rougemont, N.C., which was hosted by the Red Mountain Hounds. Myers will be competing in the family class. Her daughters competed Friday, and her husband will compete today.
In addition to the family class, the children’s classes, Sidesaddle classes and Junior classes will be today.
“I was representing the Aiken Hounds, and my dear friend, the Aiken Hounds joint Master of Fox Hounds Lellie Ward, accompanied me,” said Myers. “It was really fun. There were three phases, a flat phase, a live hunt from their kennels (two hours of live hunting), and there were 13 obstacles that we jumped, fences, and I had to open and close a gate while I was mounted on the horse. Lellie got me ready for the event.”
Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.
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Horse show showcases Hitchcock Woods.
The 93rd edition of the Aiken Horse Show in the Woods will be held April 3-5 and will once again showcase one of Aiken’s treasures – Hitchcock Woods.
The event has a dual purpose; in addition to featuring outstanding horses and horsemen in an idyllic setting, the show serves as a fundraiser for the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, which owns, manages and maintains the 2,100 acres that compose one of Aiken’s most unique resources. The Hitchcock Woods Fo undation is a private, not-for-profit organization.
It’s an event steeped in rich tradition, and spectators will have a chance to enjoy a horse show that has retained its charm and character, evoking images of years past as the exhibitors pay homage to the powerful legacy left by Louise Eustis Hitchcock.
The Aiken Horse Show in the Woods’ director is Gail Balding King, and the assistant director is Linda Knox McLean. This year’s show’s honorary chairmen will be Molly and Peter Gray.
More Details.