If you had to pick one event that best reflects the history and character of Aiken, the Aiken Charity Horse Show at Bruce’s Field would surely be at the top of your list. A traditional horse show held at a premier facility located in Aiken’s storied historic equestrian district, the horse show is an event with wide community support and involvement; one that provides exciting opportunities for equestrians of all ages and skill levels to compete for ribbons and trophies; and one that is held to benefit select local charities. In short, the Aiken Charity Horse Show (ACHS) is an event where history, horses, sport, community, and the tradition of Southern hospitality and generosity come together for two incredible weeks in May at Bruce’s Field.
These attributes are not an accident—they are the values of the legendary Bruce Duchossois, a nationally-recognized equestrian, philanthropist and visionary, whose commitment to the Aiken community inspired the founding of the ACHS. Bruce was a man who loved people and animals; a man who was, by all accounts, an exceptional combination of humility, joie de vivre, and kindness. Bruce gave freely of his time and expertise, serving in leadership positions in organizations such as the Equestrian Aid Foundation, the National Horse Show Association, and the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. He was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame in 2014.
Bruce’s Field
Bruce dearly loved Aiken and its friendly sporting community and gracious Southern charm, so when 64 acres of open space in the historical horse district located in the heart of downtown Aiken went up for sale in the late 1990s, Bruce purchased the property to save it from development. At the time, the only amenity on the property was the grass steeplechase track used twice a year by the Aiken Steeplechase Association, which Bruce committed to preserve. But he was also committed to developing other enduring, sustainable uses for the field that would honor Aiken’s deep historical roots in all things equestrian.
After years of hosting popular horse shows at Bruce’s Field where exhibitors competed in grass arenas, it became clear that improvements to the physical facility needed to be made for Bruce’s Field to compete with other premier equestrian facilities in the region. The Aiken Horse Park Foundation, founded by Bruce in 2013 to own and operate Bruce’s Field, and its board of directors of community leaders and accomplished equestrians, undertook that challenge.
“Bruce and the leadership of the Foundation recognized the need for two things at Bruce’s Field to attract high-level competitors,” said Daniel Geitner, one of Aiken’s most well-respected riders and horse show trainers, a Foundation board member, and a co-chair of the ACHS. “One was well-equipped, on-site stabling for exhibitors traveling long distances to compete in an event. Second, and perhaps most important, was the installation of state-of-the-art, all-weather footing in the arenas to ensure safe footing for the horses and a consistent ride for the exhibitors. No matter how much exhibitors enjoyed competing at Bruce’s Field, they were becoming increasingly hesitant to risk the safety of their horses or their standings in the national competitions on a grass field.”
The addition of on-site stabling and all-weather footing in the arenas was completed in 2016 and secured Bruce’s Field status as a premier equestrian facility. As a result, over the past three years, the Foundation has hosted a variety of important events – dressage shows, the Area 15 Special Olympics, and the 2019 Inaugural Liftmaster Eventing Grand Prix Showcase. The success of those events has enabled the Foundation and the ACHS to make generous donations to local charitable organizations, fulfilling yet another tenet of Bruce’s vision for Bruce’s Field.
Bruce’s Vision
Bruce knew a little something about the industry of horse showing, which had become, even then, increasingly elitist and prohibitively expensive. More and more, only competitors with the financial wherewithal to participate in the grueling circuit of local, regional, and national competitions were able to compete. Bruce feared that trend was converting horse showing into big business and in the process, shutting out a wide range of amateurs and hobby equestrians who participated solely for the joy of being in the saddle and competing for a ribbon.
Bruce’s vision for Bruce’s Field was expansive. He wanted the shows held at Bruce’s Field to reflect traditional values, to be stylish and fun. The competition schedule would be light, ending at 5 p.m. to allow the exhibitors (that means “competitors’ in horse show terminology) an opportunity to relax and mingle, have a drink at the local bars, or meet friends for dinner downtown. The shows would retain old-fashioned pageantry of traditional horse shows. The ring would be beautifully decorated with flowers and plants, and a nationally recognized ringmaster would escort sponsors and town dignitaries into the ring to present the ribbons and trophies to the winners of the various classes. Moreover, he wanted the shows at Bruce’s Field to embody the graciousness and hospitality of the community.
But at the heart of Bruce’s vision was the principle of inclusivity: Equestrians of every age and skill level would be encouraged to participate – everyone from toddlers on lead lines, to children on their beloved ponies, to amateur adults who show as a hobby, to world-class grand prix jumping champions. He wanted to create a special experience, one in which all participants felt valued and appreciated, no matter who they were, where they came from, or their level of horse showing ambition.
The Fourth Annual Aiken Charity Horse Show
Bruce’s strongly held values of tradition, community, graciousness, generosity, and inclusivity are the hallmark, the very essence, of the Aiken Charity Horse Show, now in its fourth year and returning to Bruce’s field for two weeks beginning May 1.
“When we plan each year’s show,” said Tara Stoker-Bostwick, the vice president and treasurer of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, “we evaluate every new idea, initiative, prospective change or improvement by asking this question: ‘How will this further Bruce’s commitment to tradition, community, Southern hospitality and generosity, and inclusivity?’ ”
The Foundation has made a commitment to maintaining the natural setting at Bruce’s Field consistent with its location in the Aiken’s historic horse district, a section of downtown Aiken where history and tradition trump modern conveniences, where live oaks canopy the streets, and where the roads are still unpaved to accommodate horse traffic. Indeed, the term “old-fashioned” is often used to describe the district as a whole and the property in particular. In that context, the preservation of Bruce’s Field for traditional equestrian use is as remarkable as it is special.
“Our exhibitors love the acres of grassy open space and pastures and the stately oaks and magnolias that grace the perimeter,” said Bostwick. “It’s a far cry from many of the sterile, mega-equestrian facilities in other places.”
Community Volunteers
Moreover, the Aiken community shows up in force to support the Show. Several Ladies Committees have been developed under the tutelage of Jack Wetzel, Bruce’s longtime friend and life partner and the president of the board of the Foundation. The Ladies Committee is tasked with various show duties, everything from marketing, sign-up, meet and greet, watering plants in the VIP tent, recruiting sponsors, soliciting donations from local businesses, to any of the other gazillion little jobs and errands that make the Show run smoothly.
“This strong volunteer aspect brings an individual character to our event that is not found in commercially-produced horse shows,” said Shawna Dietrich, co-chair of the Aiken Charity Horse Show along with Daniel Geitner. “For example, the Culinary Committee organizes all the daily hospitality receptions and parties. A Horticultural Committee procures and maintains all the flowers and plants necessary to decorate the spectator areas. Our morning ‘golf cart’ ladies have been a big hit, touring the stabling areas, offering free coffee and snacks to the hard-working grooms and trainers. The dedicated, enthusiastic participation of these volunteers is one of the truly unique features of the ACHS.”
It’s an exciting two weeks at Bruce’s Field for the spectating community as well. There’s something to do for everyone, no matter what age or level of interest in the numerous equestrian events. In addition to watching any of the three to five equestrian competitions going on at any one time, there are great places on-site to shop and eat, view the works of local artists, or fawn over dogs from the local rescues.
“It’s a place to gather with friends and family and have a great time in a beautiful setting,” said Dietrich. “That would have made Bruce really happy. He loved a good time.”
The Heart of the Show: Inclusivity
In less than two weeks, approximately 550 exhibitors will descend upon Bruce’s Field to compete in approximately 240 classes to be held over the course of two weeks. (Any more than this number would undermine Bruce’s insistence that show activities wrap up by 5 o’clock). The exhibitors come from all over to compete at Bruce’s Field, as far as Canada, Chicago, Florida, California, New York, and every place in between. About 30 to 50 of the exhibitors are locals who commute to the show every day.
It takes only a quick glance at the dizzying array of the 2019 competition classes to conclude that Bruce’s fierce commitment to provide a venue for equestrians of all ages, disciplines, and levels of skill to shine – and have a grand time in the process – will be fulfilled unequivocally.
There are Hunter classes, where the horses are judged for their refinement, jumping style, manners, and the smoothness of their movements; Equitation classes, where the rider (rather than the horse) is judged for his or her mounted position, the ability to accurately and efficiently negotiate obstacles, and the effective use of hands, seat, and legs to guide and control the horse; and then there are Jumper classes, where the horses are athletes and the rider’s job is to clear all the jumps in the ring in the fastest time without regard to style or manner.
Among those three disciplines, there are numerous opportunities for every type of rider. There are classes for adults (both professional and nonprofessional) and children ranging from toddlers to teenagers. There are classes set aside for local competitors who live within a 30-mile range of Aiken. There are fence heights to suit all levels of jumping skills: modest cross rails, and vertical jumps ranging from 2 feet to a breathtaking 4 feet for the grand prix riders.
Aside from the sheer number of opportunities for participation, Bruce’s desire to make the event a truly special experience is also evident in the way the Show acknowledges accomplishment. Winners are celebrated the old-fashioned way. Sponsors and local dignitaries present the winners with their ribbons and trophies in the ring after each competition. This practice is another departure from many impersonal, high-level horse show practices, where often competition winners drop by a tent to pick up their ribbons at the end of the day.
Photo courtesy of the Aiken Horse Park
Benefitting the Community
Finally, Bruce wanted his horse shows to benefit the community he loved, and in that regard, the ACHS has delivered in spades. The Aiken Horse Park Foundation has donated $90,000 to selected local charities since its inception in 2016: The Child Advocacy Center, Equine Rescue of Aiken, Danny & Don’s Rescue, Children’s Place Inc., the Equestrian Aid Foundation, FOTAS-Friends of the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and the Senior Life Services of Aiken County.
This year, the Foundation has selected the Great Oak Therapeutic Riding Center as its beneficiary charity. Great Oak is the successor charitable organization to STAR Riding and a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International affiliate.
Bruce was a believer in the power of therapeutic riding to make a difference in the lives of adults and children with physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. “It’s hard to imagine a more fitting selection for this year’s charity,” said Wetzel.
In 2014, Bruce Duchossois lost his valiantly fought battle with cancer. His death was an extraordinary loss for the people and community he loved and who loved him back. Although he did not live to see the improvements on Bruce’s Field or to witness the first Aiken Charity Horse Show, his guidance and vision will be apparent in every detail, large and small, at Bruce’s Field during the upcoming show to be held the first two weeks in May.
I like to imagine that Bruce’s spirit will be watching over the Fourth Annual Aiken Charity Horse Show with pride, delighting in the joy of the children on ponies, wowed by the skill of the grand prix jumpers, thrilled by the number of exhibitor opportunities, moved by the level of community involvement, enchanted by the expressions of Southern graciousness and hospitality of the Ladies Committee, and deeply satisfied with the extent to which the show gives back in so many ways to the community he loved.
His legacy lives on at Bruce’s Field and in our hearts.
Photos on this page courtesy of The Aiken Charity Horse Show.
The Aiken Horse Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting Aiken’s equestrian way of life and to encourage the community’s civic, educational and charitable endeavors.
by Joanna Dunn Samson, Guest Writer
