A couple weeks ago I recapped the first leg of my Aiken adventure for you in Updates From Aiken; Exploring Aiken’s Dining and Horse Centric Town and Focusing on Growth. Last week I enjoyed telling you about my time at Aiken’s Grand Prix of Eventing that was held at Bruce’s Field February 27th and 28th.
Aiken Horse Park Foundation – Home
My trip to Aiken began February 22nd and on Monday March 9th I made the journey back home, stopping for a layover at Penmerryl Farm in Virginia and making it back home Tuesday March 10th.
SATURDAY
After a very exciting first week I gave Stanley Friday off completely. We all need off days especially since we are only STARTING our season after a long hiatus last summer and a few fits and starts over the winter. Saturday morning I was able to get on with my friend and together we trail rode over to the shared arena in the equestrian community where we are staying. We discovered a fun obstacle on the trail someone had put out. A PVC frame stood there with strands of string and cut up hoses to weigh them down. I asked Stanley to go touch them…of course he did immediately. We didn’t want to walk through it in one direction so I took him to the other side so he could walk through it towards his buddy. Just like that we went through. We did it a few times in each direction to solidify his learning.
Fizz took a little more convincing that the hoses would in fact move for him but he did get through a few times as well.
Once we got to the arenas we separated to do our own hack rides. Stanley was soft and supple. As we warmed up he increased in his worry about where his buddy was. I do hope we can eventually get past this distracted phase. I simply did circles with him, popped him over cavaletti, over poles, through a large puddle. I flexed him left and right. I tried to stay interesting enough to keep him preoccupied with me but I’m clearly very boring to him.
After a lovely ride (the ride was very lovely despite his minor distractions) I cleaned myself up and left to see the showcase.
SUNDAY
On Sunday Andrea and two of her students were planning to ride in Hitchcock Woods and invited me along. I was THRILLED! I’ve been excited for this day since I heard about Hitchcock…and still I wasn’t prepared for how incredible it was.
Hitchcock woods is a 2100 acre piece of paradise that features over 70 miles of trails exclusively for pedestrians and equestrians. It is located adjacent to town, has multiple entrances, is easy and free to access. The forest is privately owned by the Hitchcock Woods Foundation which was established in 1939 to preserve the forest and offer it’s beauty to the public. The Hitchcock Woods Foundation maintains the grounds to keep it safe and enjoyable. It prescribes regular burns as part of its regular maintenance. The woods are home to 34 species of birds, 5 species of lizards, 5 species of turtle, 19 species of snakes, 6 species of frogs, 5 species of salamander, 21 different mammals. There are dozens of different types of trees and plants.
Each year the Foundation hosts an annual Horse Show in the Woods…and they aren’t kidding. About a mile and a half into the woods we came to a clearing. At first I saw logs all around set out for jumping. Then I saw neon green. The green grass field was surrounded by natural fencing. I truly want to see how the foundation hauls in the tents and such for this show but it sounds spectacular. This year on March 27th they will be hosting the 110th running of this horse show to benefit the Foundation.
While we were appreciating the show grounds we took the opportunity to school over the logs that were strewn about. Stanley hopped over each one willingly and had fun doing it.
We continued on the trail for a while and eventually came to another clearing. Andrea pointed out the steeplechase track which was really neat to see. The track offered go-arounds but the fences were inviting, natural, and jumpable from both directions. The smallest was likely 2’3″ and the taller jumps were probably 2’6″. Nothing terribly alarming.
On the inside of the track were more jumps laid around. We schooled again over logs of varying sizes. As I navigated around I was making my plan for each jump on the fly. Stanley was listening super well and did everything I asked of him.
After giving him a breather Andrea suggested I try the steeplechase. I said I’d go around but not sure about jumping them. She talked sense into me, and had me try one jump to see how I felt. I gave myself some room and came to the jump…Stanley willingly and happily soared over it.
“Now keep going!” I heard behind me.
So we did.
Stanley and I cantered on down the track away from our group. Neither one of us realizing that they weren’t joining us. Neither one of us realizing just how big the track was. Later I did the Google Earth measurements and it is a full mile long.
We cantered along and I stayed up in 2-point off his back. We took each jump as it came to us. As we went, Stanley began to get forward and heavy (It reality he had a phenomenal stride and settled into it…but I’m a weenie and need him slower) but every time I asked him to come up and slow down, he did. From on the forehand I could feel him come up in front of me. Andrea put this visual so well…like riding a jet ski.
Turning off the backstretch, we approached a jump and one of South Carolina’s fox squirrels (big squirrels with a black face) was rummaging around the bottom of the jump intent of something. It didn’t move as we approached so instead of charging Stanley at something that could be disastrous, I opted to go around. Good thing because the squirrel finally moved, startled Stanley, and I was there and ready for it staying with him and settling him. Around the final bend I was really beginning to lose steam. I decided to walk and go around the very last steeplechase jump…we would’ve taken it fine, but I had nothing to prove. I was delighted with how much we had done…I haven’t worked so hard riding in a very long time. I had worked so hard I even gagged a few times before I fully caught my breathe. I totally thought it took us 10 minutes to go around…but the helmet camera suggested it was less than 5 minutes time.
I have some work to do!
I was totally thrilled and on cloud 9. We had run a steeplechase! I never even expected to do it and here we were exceeding expectations.
Sunday was almost 80 degrees…my truck said 78. I got Stanley home and happily gave him his first BATH! I rinsed him off and got him sudsy.
He’s still trying to gain weight so he gets extra snacks and all the hay he can eat.
My friend returned home shortly after I did from her horse show. She was thrilled that her and her horse had done well and he was brave and willing.
To celebrate we took ourselves out to dinner. Back in town in the Alley we dined at Tako Sushi! I enjoyed a skinny margarita, tuna, and a Crazy Roll.
MONDAY
Stanley was understandably tired Monday after our exciting adventure Sunday. We hadn’t done a stadium jumping lesson yet so in the late afternoon we met Andrea at the shared arenas for just that. He was tired but still very game and willing. I was tired too. By this point my knees and core feel all the work we’ve been doing in the past week. My stamina took a hit too.
Although we were doing stadium we schooled some dressage basics since dressage improves our jumping. We were doing really well over the verticals but I had to do a left turn to a diagonal oxer and suddenly we went off the rails. I know I do entirely too much with my hands and that was getting me in trouble this time. I kept pulling and yanking him around the left turn and he began to refuse the jump. My right leg is the weaker leg so pushing him around the turn wasn’t working. We worked on this turn over and over again until it began to improve.
Stanley’s left side canter depart was always the weaker side. I will note that we don’t even struggle with the depart these days (99% of the time). It makes sense that smaller turns in that direction are more difficult for him. Our homework is to improve his canter to the left and work him in smaller circles over a simple pole to help him strengthen and balance himself better….and I need to use less hands!
We also worked on walk-canter departs which he did very well for it being our first time doing so. We really honed in on first ensuring he’s in front of my leg and giving me good contact so that we have a balance depart. Andrea also explained that we as eventers jump with contact so that we have a feel of the back legs. I had never heard it put that way but having done a few really nice jumps with good contact it clicked for me. It made total sense. When I have good contact and a good canter the distances are more clear and I make better decisions about our takeoff. When we haven’t established that first the takeoffs are iffy and random. I’ve always heard to develop the canter but this way of thinking really resonated with me.
After our lesson we hacked back home and Stanley enjoyed his post workout protein shake. He loves these shakes so much he wears them!
TUESDAY
Tuesday, we took a well-deserved rest. We’ve really been working hard and I had a show coming up later in the week. I did not want to hurt Stanley or myself overtraining.
I spent the day out in the field with Stanley. I brought out my anti-gravity chair, some water, and a couple books. Once Stanley realized I wasn’t giving him snacks he stood over me and napped. Every now and then he’d walk away, grab a drink, have a roll in the sand, eat some hay…then he’d mosey back over and nap above me again.
WEDNESDAY
By Wednesday my new friends that I met through Andrea had return back home so Andrea and I took our horses to cross country school at the Vista. The Vista is a 185 acre facility built to accommodate horse and rider.
The venue offers several types of schooling ap[ointments. You can ride in the Intro/Starter SC field, Beginner Novice/Novice XC Field, Training/Preliminary XC Field, The Derby field, Sand Ring, Show Jumping ring, dressage ring.
Signing up was easy, you choose your location and time and pay the fee. Then you show up and sign in. There is a lovely office with bathrooms and outside is a wash stall.
The Vista also offers stays on site in either their 3 deb/2 bath rental home or their cottages. They have RV hookups, too. For the horses they offer self-care stalls. They can even add on a round pen for turnout with an additional fee.
The Vista Schooling and Event Center
We hopped on our horses and rode out through the derby field to the intro/starer field. Andrea helped me with my form to work away from 2-point and into a gallop form that is stable and secure.
We jumped up and down banks, over a bench, logs, ditch, and more. It was clear I need to be an active rider and focused. I need to be confident, clear, and committed to our line and if I did that Stanley would jump 99% of what I presented him with.
We walked the horses down to the beginner novice/novice field where we tackled water, more ditches, and more logs. Stanley confidently went into the water and even cantered through it.
Dinner was spent watching Stanley and the sunset on our back porch. I had a good book and quinoa chips with hummus. Simple and perfect.
THURSDAY
Thursday was the day!
I signed myself up for the Apple Tree Farm schooling three phase. Coming to Aiken it was my “stretch goal” but after talking to Andrea our first couple of days she convinced me to just do it.
At approximately 9:00am Mr Wrench It and I trotted down centerline to Starter Test B. As usual, we warmed up very relaxed. He’s a dreamboat in the warmup. Once we’re being judged we both tense up. Something in me tenses up and he rats me out. His head comes up and he hollows his back and it’s difficult to get it back. I was still very pleased with our work. It was an improvement over previous dressage tests. I estimated a 60% (40% eventing) and I came out with a 62.2% (37.8% eventing)…the judge’s remarks were almost exactly what I assessed of myself.
It’s really nice when you can self-assess accurately. I know what we need to work on and there are no surprises.
Stanley happily ate hay at the trailer while we waited for our stadium round at 11:48am. The trailer next to us were a few people who had come from New York as well, from a town only an hour away from me! We chatted while we waited for our ridetimes.
When it was time, I saddled Stanley up with his jump saddle and got on. We walked around the warmup ring and then had the option to walk the stadium course (even mounted). The 11-jump course was laid out in a big grass field and designed to be exciting! There were left turns, right turns. Nothing boring and it was a full course, not only 8 jumps.
We went back to the warmup area where I began to trot Stanley around. We had a go over the cross rail, then the vertical, and finally the oxer. We approached the jumps from different directions but I was careful not to do too much. He doesn’t need a lengthy warmup.
Finally it was out turn…number 78 in the arena. I took a breathe and we got in there. Just as we began to trot I heard the whistle to start. I know that I have 45 seconds before I have to start the course but my brain in the moments defaults to OK LET’S GO! I started to approach the first jump at the trot, but he felt behind the leg. I kicked him into a canter but that wasn’t the right solution. He wasn’t set up or prepared and he balked at the first jump…a blue jump with blue waves for filler. We circled around again and he had no issue on the second approach. We turned left to fence 2. I angled him a bit wide so I could set up for the oxer that was next. The oxer was a quick right hand turn, and I gave him the right set-up, so he easily soared over it. Fence 4 and 5 were a slight bendy line down what might be considered the diagonal. I felt him question but I gave him leg and he trusted it. At the far end of the ring we turned left and jumped number 6, turned left down a slight hill toward 7. Fence seven was shaded and Stanley started to get heavy in my hand so I gave him a firm half halt and we got back together. Left turn to 8 then I almost missed my left turn to 9 on the diagonal. We got to it in time, jumped the yellow and black fence, turned right to number 10, and came back towards home over fence 11.
Aside from the first fence we had a blast and Stanley listened to everything I asked of him. I needed that refusal to be a wake-up call to stop worrying and get in the moment. Once I was riding competently, we were a good team. A great reminder to be present, focus, and ride.
Stanley got a deserved sponge bath and hopped in the trailer to enjoy his protein shake in the shade. It was cooler n the trailer than in the sun. He stood quietly so I took the opportunity to watch Andrea ride a beautiful test on her horse Honor Factor “Ace.”
Before getting back to the house, Andrea and I swung by Sporting Days Farm to walk my cross-country course. She gave me powerful tips to consider at each fence. We planned my lines and discussed the purpose/question each jump tested. Even though it was starter level it felt important to do this step. It helped me prepare mentally for my first event since my accident in 2023, nearly 3 years ago. It’s also plain good practice.
I got Stanley home and took a shower when I realized I had worn a polo t-shirt for the first time during my trip and forgot the sunscreen. OOPS! I was burnt!
For dinner we visited a fast casual Mediterranean restaurant Laziza.
FRIDAY
Friday was cross country day! My ride time was around 10:45am. A good time…not too early and not in the heat of the day. I woke up and had my usual breakfast…a small slice of rye toast with peanut butter and 3 scrambled eggs. This routine has done me well the whole trip, so I didn’t want to compromise it by switching it up now. I read a book while I waited, I didn’t want to arrive too early and I wanted to remain calm.
The biggest most important thing to note…I felt prepared.
We’ve done our homework. We walked the course. I just needed to show up and ride the plan.
We arrived at Sporting Days Farm and I got on. The warmup area was getting a little busy but Andrea was there to guide me through it. We begin bringing him forward and back between and within the gates. I practiced my downward transitions. We popped over a few warmup jumps. It was time. The start box was taking people as they were ready (instead of based on time) so we walked up a bit early.
The starter counted down 5…4….3…2…1
We trotted out of the start box and up the hill to fence one. I made sure this time to get my line and drive Stanley forward in front of my leg. He caught on and hopped the first fence eagerly. We cantered around to fence two, and I asked him to come down to trot since it was going downhill.
Remember I’m still a weenie.
There’s also no time on this XC course, so I was allowed to go at any combination of trot and canter I was comfortable with.
Going down the hill and back up the other side toward three I realized I made my turn a little too soon. I recognized this with enough advance that we corrected and Stanley saw the jump. He willingly cantered and took me to it, a solid cabin with white roof.
After three I forgot where I was…I was so excited we didn’t have trouble there I forgot the course. Instead of left we went right, but looking at what was ahead realized it wasn’t right. We cantered back to the left and I was searching trying to remember where to go. Andrea was standing right at fence four and I was back on course. We jumped the fourth fence and made our way down the hill toward fence five.
We then turned left up towards the water. The pond wasn’t flagged but the direct line took you through it to the 6th log. Stanley wasn’t sure about the water but he never step backwards, with some leg he stepped in and we trotted out, I kept my eyes up and we had no problem going uphill over the log. Turning right we made our way down towards fence 7. There was nothing scary about this green fence, but Stanley questioned it…he tried to stop, almost did, but I was serious about getting over it and at the last moment he stepped over it.
The next fence I had reservations over. I knew we COULD but thought Stanley might question it. It was up a hill and it was a brush fence, a decent size for our level. Knowing this I pushed him up the hill with a nice forward canter. He was in front of my leg and I felt him try to back off. I encouraged him with my voice and leg and told him yes….yes he CAN do it. He listened and we took it in stride.
After the brush fence Stanley seemed very confident. I set him up at 9 to show him the path towards the right along the fence line. We boldly cantered toward ten. I reminded myself that Andrea warned me not to celebrate early so I checked in and made sure to keep riding. We turned right and made our way to the eleventh and final fence.
Easy as pie!
We had officially gone clear on cross country and finished our first three phase event!
It felt remarkable. Doing a three phase was this big beast in my mind and we had finally accomplished it. It doesn’t matter that it was Starter. We did it.
I dismounted and walked Stanley back to the trailer.
Afterwards, Andrea invited me over to where she was keeping her group of horses. There was a gelding I could ride that afternoon.
I met Royal Heartbreaker “Roy” a fancy Hanoverian gelding. He was super sweet and has gone Prix St Georges. Getting on a different horse for the first time in years was different, but in a good way. His movements were big but fluid. His canter was dreamy. We even got to experience a flying lead change!
Friday night we met up with some friends at Mellow Mushroom for pizza. One friend I met at AECs in 2024 (Ammies at AECs…Part 1) and the other I knew only through Facebook. We are both builders so we couldn’t but help but striking off about our designs and ideas! I love talking to like-minded people!
The town was really coming alive; it was the first Friday of March and it was a beautiful warm evening. By this point I was really getting a tan (maybe a little burnt).
SATURDAY
With the show completed I only had two days left before my departure back north.
In the morning I ventured over to watch Andrea have a lesson on her horse, Ace. It was so fun to watch and Ace jumps huge!
We decided to cross country school one more time. We went back to Dara Knot where Andrea had me work on going downhill at the trot and canter. This sounds trivial but it was really good for me to practice. I hold on to the reins for dear life going downhill and I need the practice under professional guidance to give Stanley his neck so he can use it for balance. It feels counterintuitive. It feels scary. It feels like I’m going to somersault downhill…especially having had a fall doing just that.
I needed that so bad.
We then went back to water since Stanley is the stickiest about water. The more we practice the better we’ll get.
We put the hills together with the water.
We finished this lesson going over the faux ditch a few times.
It was more terrain and confidence training than jumping and it was just what I needed to wrap up my two weeks of training.
Crystal and I enjoyed a nice cold brew at Gool Girl Brewing Company. I enjoyed a pretzel with beer cheese and a burnt end sausage while sipping on a Thoroughbred Red and followed by a Margarita Gose. The atmosphere was wonderful, families and friends gathered around to laugh and enjoy. There were lawn games. There was a performer, Jazz of All Trades. It felt like a perfect summer night (even though it was the first week of March).
SUNDAY
On Sunday I opted to take my last ride alone. I saddled Stanley up in our western Saddle and took to the trails around the development. There are no maps, and the development is new enough that Google Earth is inaccurate, so I just rode out. We found our way around the whole perimeter and back home in about one hour forty-five minutes. The tracker estimated it was about 6 miles overall. The trails were sandy, deep in some areas. Although we could have trotted or cantered, I was committed to this ride being slow and relaxing. Stanley felt exhausted under me as we approached home so I’m glad I didn’t push him hard.
Sunday night we went out one last time with Andrea and friends for my final dinner. We went back to Tako Sushi and had a lovely time.
MONDAY
Monday morning, we departed South Carolina around 8:30am. I was sad to leave but I was also ready to get back home. I had a phenomenal time in Aiken. We grew a lot. We learned, gained confidence, gained competence. We had great conversations and saw many faces. We ate great food and saw beautiful moments.
We arrived at Penmerryl Farm right around 4pm. The rest area I stopped at off the highway had a mediterranean restaurant, so I enjoyed a healthy chicken shawarma salad while I watched Stanley.
TUESDAY
I woke up and had trouble sleeping so we rolled out of the farm around 4:45am after Stanley ate his breakfast.
All day Stanley rode well…he normally does. I tried to offer his Replenimash but he wasn’t interested. Wasn’t interested in water. He ate his hey well and seemed to poo and pee normally so I kept going.
We pulled into the farm at home around 1:30am. I got Stanley off the trailer and brought him into the indoor so he could have a walk and a roll. While he did that I grabbed some fresh water and his Replenimash. He drank a quarter bucket of water.
After a walk and trot around he found a spot to roll. He went down and laid himself flat out and seemed to fall asleep. Ok.
He got back up and seemed fine. Five minutes later he laid down again to roll. Rolled a few times then stayed with his legs tucked under. He looked tired. I wasn’t certain whether he was exhausted or ill, so I got him up. I gave him a tube of EquiSpazz and walked him around. Ten minutes later he pooped.
I walked him to his stall at the other side of the property. He had a pee and then stayed in the stretched-out position.
I was a bit concerned.
I administered Banamine and called the vet. We then also gave him a tube of electrolytes and waited until 4pm.
Stanley slept comfortably in his stall until 4pm, but showed no interest in hay, water, or a soaked alfalfa cube mash. The vet came out.
After an examination we decided to tube him and deliver 3.5 gallons of water and electrolytes. Once the sedation wore off, he was eager to finish his Replenimash and hungry for hay. He also ate his dinner well.
I slept better that night knowing we helped him rehydrate.
Monday Morning Stanley was bright eyed and happy to eat and go out into the pasture.
Crisis averted.
We had a phenomenal time in Aiken, and I am already working out details and financials to figure out how to make this happen again next year.
The Green Horseman 
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