It’s a big week for horses in Kentucky and Aiken, SC. Not unusual for either location. There is a connection between the two. Thoroughbreds helped build Aiken into a destination for horse lovers and visitors from the north who fell in love with the city and moved here. The breed is also for racing in the bluegrass state of Kentucky and for steeplechase and other horse shows in Aiken.
Yesterday was the beginning of two weeks of events for the Aiken Charity Horse Show at Bruce’s Field.
When Bruce Duchossois acquired the field in 2000, he did so with a vision of its past, present, and future as a fixture of Aiken’s equestrian tradition. Bruce created a foundation to carry on his vision that “Bruce’s Field” may provide future generations with a place to hold the kinds of events that he cherished, a place to compete and benefit horse lovers and Aiken’s charities.
There is a long list of CSRA businesses who support the Aiken Charity Horse Show, including Blanchard Equipment, Meybohm Commercial Real Estate, GL Williams and Daughter Trucking Company, Aiken Saddlery, and A & S Photography.
Horses and hats are beautiful, but the horse business has a huge economic impact on the CSRA. As ABD has previously reported, the inventory value of horses and their equipment in Aiken County is $68 million. The horse business includes stabling, saddles and bridles, feed, workout rings, riding apparel, and farrier fees, not to mention the visitors who spend money attending polo, steeplechase, and other horse show events.
The CSRA welcomes visitors to the Aiken Charity Horse Show. “This is the most special horse show of the year, when we feel closest to Bruce and his vision for this beautiful piece of land-loving known as #BrucesField. This year’s charitable partner is the @mha.aiken and their Suicide Prevention outreach program. We hope all of our friends and the Aiken Community will come out and enjoy the next two weeks with us! Spectators are welcome and admission is FREE!!! Wednesday, May 1st – Sunday, May 5th & Wednesday, May 8th – Sunday, May 12th all 5 competition rings will be running all day from approximately 8 am – 5 pm.”
If you can’t make the trip to the Derby, this is the next best option.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
