Th e biggest reason for my trip to Aiken, SC this winter was to consolidate my training with Stanley and with Andrea Waldo. I have had many setbacks with this horse and my plan was to make him my 100% focus for the first time since we’ve been together. No work. No woodworking. No side distractions. No excuses.
But I’m not riding him all day every day. My trip aligned perfectly in time to also be a spectator at the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase held at Bruce’s Field February 27th and 28th. The event is nothing like any other event you’ve ever seen. Bruce’s field is a large showgrounds located at the heart of Aiken. It’s in town and very public. Bruce Duchossois created this 66 acre show venue in 2000 and created a foundation in order to ensure it survived long after he was gone. It’s 6 all weather rings and 3 schooling arenas with GGT footing and excellent stabling including 624 permanent stalls make it one of Aiken’s finest showgrounds.
Dressage Friday
We made it to Aiken on Sunday afternoon. Stanley working in hand on Monday, dressage Tuesday, cross country Wednesday, and had a trail ride Thursday. It rained hard Thursday night and I opted to give him Friday off. This worked up really well because I was able to leave in the morning and catch most of the dressage at the showcase.
The rain stopped as I pulled into the parking lot at Bruce’s Field. I was very happy to have my big DryShod muck boots. They may not be the prettiest but they kept my feet dry! I rolled the tops down so my feet could stay dry but still breathe. I clodded my way over to the dressage arena and right as I took a position standing on the bleachers the judged honked his car’s horn at Boyd Martin riding Connor (Commando 3). He had halted at the wrong place for his final salute! Boyd, cheeky as he is, smiled and said “I think you’re wrong, mate. It’s a new test this year.” Boyd was the third rider out in the day and despite the “oops” halt was awarded with a very nice 30.8.
Boyd wasn’t the only rider to go off course for this new 2026 FEI Eventing CCI4* Test C. It’s comforting to know that even the very best can study the wrong test or forget elements of it.
I found a friend and stood with him for several of the tests. He is a sponsor of Alex Conrad and I was honored to meet Alex’s parents. We all watched the tests together for a while. Alex had a tactful ride on Malibu Preacher. He came up to us (my friend) after his ride and regretfully I was already committed to something else…I literally dismissed myself, turned around, and saw Alex. I kicked myself for being “that guy on time for everything.” Why couldn’t I have stayed just a bit longer?!
IDIOT!
That’s okay. I made my way over to Cabin 2 in the vendor row and met Eventing Nation and Optimum Time as they hosted Win The Warm Up. Silva Martin spoke with us and Cheri as we watched Ryan Wood warm up. It was very well run and they used WhatsApp to help a big group hear what Silva was explaining. I didn’t bring (I don’t have) earbuds so I was lucky enough to stand close and not need the already dying phone for this session.
During the warmup we learned about the mentality the riders use for their warmups and some useful techniques. For example the CCI 4* test calls for a flying change at A. Silva explained to us that horses tend to anticipate this change so many riders DON’T warmup with the change at that location. To avoid the anticipation they will instead ride past that point…maybe do the change somewhere else. We also learned that warmups are often about rideability…often with transitions between gaits and within gates ever 3-4 strides. Riders often warmup with a longer rein and lower headset so they don’t tire the horse out before the test; the save the “competition frame.” We also learned that many riders will ride early in the morning to knock the edge off and only have a 10 minute warmup before the actual test.
As a group we walked to the competition ring to watch Ryan complete his test aboard Irish Sport Horse Cooley Flight. It was a respectable test scoring an overall 35.8 placing him 22nd of 28 dressage rides. After the test Ryan came over to talk with the group and share how he felt about the ride. I was especially excited because I have a friend who knows Ryan and Lillian well from when she used to live in Aiken. I also happen to be staying in a community where the community fields are directly next to his facility. I HAD to get a selfie!
The Win The Warmup was fun, but once it concluded I ran back over to dressage to finish watching the competition. I was bummed I had missed Elisa Wallace’s brilliant test earning her a 29.7 and overall 4th after dressage.
I always enjoy the music each rider chooses for their tests. Monica Spencer and Mary Bess Davis both strode in to Rocketman. Lauren Nicholson stepped to No Diggity. Emile Mudd-Guy rode to Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake.
The final dressage test was Boyd Martin atop his third ride, Miss Lulu herself. As Boyd entered the arena Silva, Peter Wylde, and Brett Parbery walked up and stood next to me on the fence-line. I held it together and managed not to fangirl like a freak.
<Phew>
Stadium Jumping Friday
After dressage I got together with some friends and we walked around and chatted. My phone was already hitting low battery so I found an outlet and a safe place to abandon it for an hour. We got lunch (Mahi mahi tacos for me and smashburgers for my friends). The girls live in town and have been to this showcase before so they took off to run errands before stadium began.
During stadium I had a chance to catch up with Jazz, the wonderful woman and mindset coach that sold me Stanley. I also ran into Laurie, owner of Hitching Post Farm where we attended eventing camp last year.
Show jumping was thrilling as the rails did not want to stay up. Of the 26 riders that rode stadium only 6 went double clear. Of course my favorite combination Emily Hamel and Corvette were among the clear rounds, as was Elisa Wallace and Lissavorra Quality.
Cross Country Saturday
Saturday’s cross country wasn’t slated to kick off until 12:30 so I killed time by riding. You’ll see more about that next week.
I got to Bruce’s field and a wonderful gentleman offered a ride in his golf cart. I got to the venue and walked around to find a good place to watch. The thing about this show is there really aren’t any bad places to stand. The cross country is spread across all the arenas in the park. The riders race between arenas back and forth, speeding over 30 plus jumps in a small span of time. The optimal time was only 4:36. Most cross country courses are nearly three times that…and more room to gallop. This course had a lot of turning in order to fit everything in. Not practical or safe in a regular competition but this is a competition of it’s own held once per year.
I started up near the main arena watching Ema Klugman pilot Bronte Beach Z over a bomb shaped obstacle uphill going into the arena. Later in her course I caught her as they sped through vendor row over the hedges and into another arena…soaring over what looked like a mini mansion followed by a skinny.
I made my way around and over to the Liftmaster Broken Bridge; I have been calling it the YEET BRIDGE. WOW. This is a large bridge obstacle. The horses jump up onto it first, then jump off the other side…a large drop into water. They then turn and hurl themselves over a huge corner on their way back out of the arena.
Final Thoughts
Thirty riders were scheduled to start this competition. Twenty eight completed dressage. The venue held a moment of silence in honor of Nancy Winter who suddenly passed Thursday evening causing Allison Springer to withdraw her ride.
Of the twenty eight that rode dressage twenty six completed stadium. Overnight there were many drops from the field for varying reasons. Only half the field (fifteen) remained to run cross country. Ema Klugman and RF Redfern were eliminated once they missed some compulsory flags beyond the first water. Maya Clarkson and Maks Mojo C retired after some trouble at the Broken Bridge. The rest of the field completed the course. Only Sophia Hill on Humble Glory and Phillip Dutton on Denim got around double clear.
In the end I was bummed that Elisa Wallace hadn’t won but second place was incredible. Winning the competition was Phillip Dutton. Third place was Sophia Hill and fourth Sydney Elliott.
In the end I was very happy to see good riding. This sport is constantly under such scrutiny. Galloping at immovable objects the size of cars would understandably make many people worry, fear, and question the sanity of everyone involved. To see safe rides and good horsemanship is always the goal, and it’s especially true for an event like this. There is SO much public eye on this event and in a small venue for what it was. I have seen and heard choices made by riders and officials that made me question the sport myself. Professionals not getting a yellow card when they ABSOLUTELY DESERVED one…likely scraping by because of politics and stature. That was not the case here.
The whole event was fun, well run, and showcased exactly everything that we love about our sport.
The Green Horseman 
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