AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Aiken Horse Park Foundation is excited to welcome the City of Aiken back as the Cross-Country sponsor for the 2021 $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce's Field (GPE). The event will be livestreamed March 5 & 6, 2021 in Aiken, South Carolina, at Bruce’s Field. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no spectators allowed.
"Wrapped behind a serpentine brick wall, under a canopy of ancient oaks, deodar cedars and magnolias, is Hopelands Gardens. Bequeathed to the City of Aiken by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, this 14-acre estate was opened in 1970 as a public garden. Radiating throughout the gardens is a network of paths shaded by 100-year-old live oaks. It is believed that Mrs. Iselin planted the deodar cedars and live oaks, which still grace Hopelands Gardens today. The City is currently celebrating the 50th Anniversary of acquiring Hopelands Gardens and the Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch which has been an essential partner in the preservation of the Gardens will celebrate their 50th Anniversary in March of 2021. Hopelands Gardens features an Abroretum Trail which continues along Colleton Avenue in Downtown Aiken. Hopelands Gardens was recently named an American Camellia Trial by the National Camellia Society. It also features the Doll House, Carriage Museum and Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Musuem. The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum was named The Carolina’s 2020 Best Equestrian Attraction.
The Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum is housed in a beautiful re-creation of the original Southern Railway depot constructed on the same spot in 1899 (torn down in 1954). One of the most stunning structures in Aiken, the decision to place the visitors center in the building was made to provide tourists a lasting impression of our charming city, as well as recognize our heritage as a railroad town. The museum features nine historically accurate dioramas of towns on the South Carolina Canal & Railroad (construction 1830-1833) and interactive displays, including a toy train layout where patrons can run a locomotive. Over the past 10 years, about 110,000 visitors have walked through its doors. Stop by and see us Tuesday – Friday 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 2 pm. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and provide you with maps/information."
The VISION of the LiftMaster GPE is to showcase the best of the sport of eventing. It will demonstrate the highest quality and innovation in competition, attracting top horses and riders internationally. Its prestige and format will make it the ideal venue to provide an engaging event drawing a wide variety of spectators from all over. Highlighting the history and character of Aiken throughout the event and involving many local charities of Aiken will exhibit our pride in our community, and fulfill the mission of making the horse park a central fixture which “promotes Aiken’s equestrian way of life and supports the community's civic, educational and charitable endeavors".
For information about the 2021 $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce's Field , visit aikenhorsepark.org
