Aiken's Winter Season
Photography by Pam Gleason and Gary Knoll
In addition to all the recognized competitions, there was also a series of formal training sessions for riders on the USEF High Performance and Developing Rider lists. These sessions were held at Three Runs Plantation. Some of the top riders in the country were on hand to receive coaching and training from Captain Mark Phillips, the chef d'équipe of the U.S. eventing team, and Katie Monahan Prudent, who is the show jumping coach for the team. This year, riders on the High Performance list are hoping to compete at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

By April, the traveling upper level riders have mostly left town, in pursuit of points and experience at horse trials up and down the East Coast. But eventing itself is in Aiken all year, with an increasing number of event riders coming to live here full time. There are also training, schooling and competing opportunities here year round. The winter season brings a certain energy and level of excitement to Aiken's eventing world. When that season is over, Aiken's year round eventers can go back to the serious work of riding and training, preparing themselves and their horses for one of the most challenging equestrian pursuits in the world.
This article is copyrighted and first appeared in The Aiken Horse. It is reprinted here by permission.