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October at Bruce's Field puts a spell on you!
Mapelgate Farm's costume "Hocus Pocus" brought the beloved Halloween classic to life!
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2025 October at Bruce's Field
The Most Fun You've Ever Had at a Horse Show
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AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA: The Aiken Horse Park Foundation (AHPF) sends a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who made the 2025 October at Bruce's Field shows such a success! Read on for a full recap of "The Most Fun You've Ever Had at a Horse Show", then rest up and get ready for November at Bruce's Field - Nov. 6 - 9. November at Bruce's Field is a USEF National A-rated Level 3 and will feature:
- $5,000 Welcome Stakes, presented by CWD (Thurs, Nov 6th)
- $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Friday, Nov 7th)
- $25,000 Grand Prix, presented by SRP (Saturday, Nov 8th)
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USHJA Zone 4 Financial Literacy for Trainers, Riders, and Grooms, catered by Good Girl Brewing Co. (Friday, Nov 7th - 5:50 pm)
Spectators are welcome during horse show hours and admission is FREE!!!
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$5,000 Welcome Stakes
presented by Purina
Waylon Roberts & CS Carrera, owned by Sher Schwartz
| | Purina provides consistent nutrition your horse needs at every level, with the science to back it up. When your horse is your teammate you’ll do everything you can to help them perform. Get the performance-proven, research-backed feed and supplements your athlete needs to bring home the win. With every Purina product you’re getting the best thinking of the most accomplished group of Ph.D. equine nutritionists and equine experts in the industry. For more information visit purinamills.com/horse-feed | |
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$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Daniel Geitner & Triple Net, owned by Ashley Neudorff
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$5,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby
Sydney Mannon & St. Elmo's Fire, owned by Sydney Mannon
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$25,000 Grand Prix
presented by Find Aiken Homes & Farms,
Barb Gould Uskup
Holly Shepherd & HJ Hercules, owned by Loretta Patterson
| | Barb Gould Uskup is an avid horsewoman and one of Aiken’s leading real estate brokers, specializing in equestrian properties, land, and downtown homes. She has built two of her own farms from the ground up and assisted with the renovation of several others, bringing a wealth of knowledge to help you design and construct your dream property. With more than 20 years of experience across multiple markets, Barb has the expertise to ensure you find your perfect home or farm in Aiken, SC. For more information visit findaikenhomesandfarms.com | | |
Jumper Style Award
presented by Aiken Saddlery
Camille Maynard
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Awarded to the jumper rider who in the opinion of the jumper judge, jumper announcer, and jumper ingate staff, exhibits exemplary sportsmanship, performance success, and overall presentation of horse and rider.
Locally owned and operated since 1979, Aiken Saddlery has served horsemen and their equine and canine partners with quality and variety variety that has been provided to the Aiken horse community for the past 40 plus years. Come in and enjoy all the deals you love plus a new and HUGE selection of top selling brands with great prices. We have everything from western wear to english fashion, feed, products and equipment for horses, dogs, and all your barn yard friends. For more information visit aikensaddlery.com
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2025 October at Bruce's Field
Homecoming Court
proceeds benefit Danny & Ron's Rescue
King: John Maldonado Queen: Bridget Hickton
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$5,000 Welcome Stakes
presented by Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt
Rosalie Midyette & Fernet MH, owned by Rosalie Midyette
| | Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt with Meybohm Real Estate is one of the most informed and connected real estate agents operating in the Aiken area. Her warm personality and attention to detail make Deirdre a delight to deal with, and her helpful and welcoming attitude continues long after the deal is closed. Deirdre not only finds you a home in the community, she makes you feel AT HOME in the community. She prides herself on after-sale service, whether it is helping to find a doctor or a good school, making it that much easier to settle into life in Aiken. And if you are a 'horse person,' as so many in the Aiken community are, Deirdre's first-hand knowledge and experience enable her to make recommendations on everything from local stables to blacksmiths. For more information on Deirdre and her services, visit aikenscproperties.com | | |
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
presented by G Farms
Hunter Kay & Galileo, owned by Ann Rice Ervin
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G Farms is a boutique program located in south Charlotte.
We offer a tailored program for horse and rider at the highest level. For more information, check out G Farms on Facebook.
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$5,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby
presented by DFG Stables
Bridget Hickton & Serenade, owned by Bridget Hickton
| | DFG Stables is the premier full-service training, sales, and show facility for hunters and jumpers in Aiken, SC and Ocala, FL. A family affair, Daniel and Cathy Geitner successfully operate one of the largest, most successful hunter/jumper barns in the Southeast. Thank you DFG for your continued support of Bruce’s Field. For more information on DFG Stables, visit dfgstables.net | | |
$25,000 Grand Prix
presented by Horizon Structures
Holly Shepherd & HJ Hercules, owned by Loretta Patterson
| | At Horizon Structures, we’re committed to transforming outdoor spaces with our extensive range of quality-built structures, from barns and garages to kennels, pavilions, and run-in sheds. Proudly serving homeowners, farmers, and pet enthusiasts nationwide, our team brings expertise and craftsmanship to every project, providing custom solutions for any property or lifestyle need. Stop by the Farrier Barn at Bruce’s Field to see one of Horizon Structures’ pre fab barns for yourself! For more information visit horizonstructures.com | | |
Jumper Style Award
presented by Aiken Saddlery
Rosalie Midyette
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Awarded to the jumper rider who in the opinion of the jumper judge, jumper announcer, and jumper ingate staff, exhibits exemplary sportsmanship, performance success, and overall presentation of horse and rider.
Locally owned and operated since 1979, Aiken Saddlery has served horsemen and their equine and canine partners with quality and variety variety that has been provided to the Aiken horse community for the past 40 plus years. Come in and enjoy all the deals you love plus a new and HUGE selection of top selling brands with great prices. We have everything from western wear to english fashion, feed, products and equipment for horses, dogs, and all your barn yard friends. For more information visit aikensaddlery.com
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Halloween Costume Class
presented by Danny & Ron's Rescue
| | Danny & Ron’s Rescue speaks for helpless animals that have no voice. We support the welfare of all dogs. We rescue dogs into our home, embrace them as our own, and help them find forever homes. For more information on the incredible work Danny & Ron's Rescue does, and to meet your future dog, visit dannyronsrescue.org | | Best Group Costume: Astaria Farm - Mario Cart | | |
Best Individual Costume:
Kempton & Snow Pea
Santa's Helper
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Best Adult Costume:
Sarah Wayda & Lilibet
Headless Horseman
| | Judges Choice: Windy Oaks Farm - Cereal & Mascots | | Best Dog Costume: Tash Vitkovic & Rumble - Travis Kelce | | |
Halloween Barn Decorating Contest
Special Guest Judges:
Janet Duchossois & Andy McCollum
First Place: Hunting Valley Farm
Second Place: Astartia Farm
Third Place: Beaver River Farm
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Haunted Horse Show
one last look at all the frightful delights!
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THANK YOU!
Fall in Love with Aiken Sponsors
| | Established in 2013 by the late R. Bruce Duchossois, the Aiken Horse Park Foundation received its IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in November 2014, with a mission to promote Aiken’s equestrian way of life and to encourage the community’s civic, educational, and charitable endeavors | | |
Board of Directors
Gordon Lawson, Chair
John Stephens, Chair Emeritus
Jack Wetzel, President
Tara Bostwick, Vice President
Robert Hottensen, Treasurer
R. Scot Evans, Secretary
Amy Borun, Director
Craig J. Duchossois, Director
Shallan Duchossois Hazlewood, Director
Daniel Geitner, Director
Craig Phillips, Director
Administration
Tara Bostwick, Chief Executive Officer
John Maldonado, Director of Park Operations
Kate Boggan, Director of Marketing and Communications
Caroline Bald, Director of Finance & Business Operations
Nina Wakefield, Assistant Treasurer
Park Operations
John Maldonado, Marcos Castro, Jose Carmen Castro,
Apolonio Castro, & Joel Mendez,
The MISSION of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation is to promote Aiken’s equestrian way of life and to encourage the community’s civic, educational, and charitable endeavors.
Our VISION is to honor and preserve Bruce's legacy by maintaining and enhancing Bruce's Field as the pinnacle of equestrian excellence in the United States. We are committed to nurturing this historic property, blending state-of-the-art facilities with the cherished heritage of the land and community. Inspired by Bruce's dedication to stewardship and generosity, we partner with our community to support charitable, educational, and civic initiatives. We strive to be a vibrant, welcoming venue at the heart of Aiken, deeply rooted in respect, compassion, and the enduring spirit of our founder's dream.
Bruce's Legacy
When Bruce Duchossois acquired the field in 2000, he did so with a vision of its past, present, and future as a fixture of Aiken’s equestrian tradition. While his immediate goal was to save the land from residential development, Bruce’s dream was to grow it into South Carolina’s premier equestrian facility—maintaining its historic character, and paying forward the generosity of his predecessors.
Knowing he may not live to see his dream realized, Bruce created a Foundation to carry on his vision that “Bruce’s Field” may provide future generations with a place to hold the kinds of events that he cherished—old-fashioned venues with character and integrity; not an international horse park, but an intimate field in the center of the celebrated Horse District, where riders from the youngest lead line toddlers to the strongest Grand Prix competitors can come several times a season and compete on the best quality surfaces; not limited in its use, but a place where the City of Aiken’s many charitable and civic endeavors may be held for the benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors.
Bruce dearly loved Aiken and was so thankful for what it gave him. He offered this gift to the people and to the city, knowing that he would not be able to enjoy it himself, and asking nothing in return but that others enjoy it in his stead.
These shows seek to provide the kind of experience that Bruce cherished—old-fashioned venues with character and integrity, held on an intimate field in the center of the celebrated Horse District, where riders from the youngest lead line toddlers to the strongest Grand Prix competitors can compete on the best quality surfaces.
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