2026 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant Secondary Recipient

Sophie Miller

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA — The Aiken Horse Park Foundation (AHPF) and the Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant Selection Committee are pleased to announce the awarding of a secondary Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant to local professional rider and trainer Sophie Miller. This year’s applicant pool represented a particularly strong field of emerging professionals. Following a competitive review and interview process, the selection committee identified two candidates whose qualifications and leadership within the equestrian community stood out in exceptional ways. While the committee ultimately reached a clear decision on the primary grant recipient, both the committee and the AHPF Board of Directors felt that Sophie’s contributions, character, and professional trajectory warranted special recognition.

With the support and approval of the AHPF Board, the committee has elected to award Sophie Miller a $10,000 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant in acknowledgement of her accomplishments and her influential role within the Aiken equestrian community.

Sophie has established a meaningful presence throughout the region as a rider, trainer, and mentor. Through her business, Denali Equestrian LLC, she works closely with local Pony Club members, young riders, and amateurs, offering structured coaching and foundational horsemanship guidance. Her commitment to education and outreach reflects the spirit of service and community-mindedness that the Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant seeks to encourage. In addition to her coaching, Sophie is a consistent competitor at Aiken’s schooling shows, USEA horse trials, dressage venues, and jumper competitions. Her visibility across so many local arenas speaks to both her work ethic and her investment in the broader sport community.

Sophie Miller expressed her gratitude for the award, noting:

“I am deeply honored to receive this grant. Annie was an inspiring role model in the Aiken community, and I greatly admired her for her kindness, passion, and love for her horses. This award is an incredible opportunity for me to further my education as both a rider and a horseman. The funding will support the training and development of my personal horses as we work toward our competition goals for the coming year. I’m truly grateful to have been selected and can’t wait to get the 2026 season underway!”

AHPF CEO Tara Bostwick, reflecting on Sophie’s impact within the broader community and her longstanding engagement with local youth programs, shared:

"The Aiken Horse Park Foundation is committed to preserving Aiken’s equestrian heritage and supporting the individuals who strengthen and elevate our community. Sophie reflects that mission in every facet of her work—through her mentorship of young riders, her consistent presence at local competitions, and her dedication to developing well-rounded, educated horsemen and horsewomen. Her leadership contributes meaningfully to the fabric of Aiken’s equestrian landscape, and we are pleased to support her continued advancement through this grant."

As an athlete, Sophie has built a competitive and diversified résumé across eventing, dressage, and show jumping. A USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, an Intermediate/2L event rider, and a successful 1.35m jumper, she has developed horses across multiple disciplines while maintaining a high standard of horsemanship. Her long-term ambitions include progressing to the 5* level of eventing and continuing to advance toward the upper levels of dressage and show jumping. Her work producing young horses reflects her commitment to long-term, sustainable sport horse development.

The committee noted that Sophie’s professional maturity, broad-based experience, and deep ties to the local community align powerfully with the mission of the Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant. Her dedication to her students, her horses, and the Aiken equestrian landscape exemplifies the qualities that inspired this grant’s creation.

The Aiken Horse Park Foundation is proud to support her continued advancement and looks forward to following her progress in the year ahead.

The Aiken Horse Park Foundation invites the community to join in supporting the Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund. Established in honor of Annie’s commitment to equestrian excellence and her deep connection to Aiken, the Fund ensures that promising young professionals have access to the resources necessary to advance their training, competition schedules, and long-term careers.

Contributions to the Fund directly support the development of emerging equestrians who reflect Annie’s dedication, work ethic, and aspiration. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation is able to continue providing meaningful financial assistance and strengthening the future of the sport.

Donations may be made online or by check. Should you prefer to mail a contribution, please send it to:

Aiken Horse Park Foundation

PO Box 1951

Aiken, SC 29802

Attn: Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund



Checks should be made payable to the Aiken Horse Park Foundation.

Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant

Selection Committee

The selection committee is comprised of a cross section of equestrian industry professionals, a member of Annie Goodwin’s Family, members of the board of directors and staff of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation. 

• Boyd Martin, Olympic Eventing Rider/Professional
• Daniel Geitner, Professional Hunter/Jumper Rider
• Eugene Kneece Jr., Professional Polo Player
• Catherine Stumberg, Amateur Hunter/Jumper Rider
• Caitlin Silliman, Professional Eventing Rider
• Putter Goodwin, Annie Goodwin’s Father 
• Robert Stevenson, FEI Judge 
• Tara Bostwick, CEO - Aiken Horse Park Foundation 
• Kate Boggan, Director of Marketing and Communications - Aiken Horse Park Foundation

Your Gifts At Work

Pictured above, the 2025 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant recipient, Taylor Bradish, being presented with a check for $20,000 by Putter Goodwin at the 2025 $100,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field, presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.

Thank you to all of Annie's friends and family who have already donated to the Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund. To date, we have received $233,106.14.

Please continue to donate to this fund in Annie's memory so that more aspiring young professionals may experience the impact of Annie's gift.

The Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund Donors

(12.15.2025)

Anonymous (14)

Garland Alban

Natalie Anderson

Margaret Armendariz

Margaret Baker 

Amy Barton

Susie Beale

Emily Beshear

David Bliss

The Boe Family Charitable Fund

Amy Borun

Louis Bosley

Tara and Charlie Bostwick

Jennie Brannigan

Janet Briggs

Rebecca Brown

Polly Burge

Madeleine Burgoyne

Warren Byrne

Holly Caravella

Kelly Carter

Cary Chavis

Alison Chubb

Michael Conlon

Derrick and Amy Cooper

Max Corcoran

Chris Corley

Patrick Cox

Katie Craig

Sharer Dale

Aileen Daly

Katie Dawson

The Denver Foundation

Shawna Dietrich

Cissy Dillon

Jim and Nancy Dorr

Lauren Eckardt

Melissa Faught

Kim Fehir

Kimberley Ferguson

Katie and Bert Fisher

Emma Ford

Lindsay Forrester

Dayle Duchossois Fortino

Janie and Zach Foster

Pam Gleason

Edward Glenn

Michelle Gluck

Nancy Goodwin

Putter Goodwin

Tina Goodwin

Beatrice Gordon

Gillian Grant

Alexandra Green

Krissy Greenleaf

William Gutfarb

 Kristin Hair  



Emily Hamel 

Lisa Handy

 Mary Carol Harsch

Andrea Hastings

 Elizabeth and Mary Ellen Hawkins 

Rose Hayes

Alison Head

Jimeale Hede

Hilary and Ralph Goodwin Foundation

Christine Hodde

Hester Hodde

Jane and Robert Hottensen

Jill Hunt

Josie Irish

Jane Jennings

Jessica Johnson

Susie Johnson

Leslie and Louisa Johnston

Ann Jones

Barbara Jones

Dee and Eric Karlen

Barbara and Frank Keith

John Kelsey

Kris King

Mike Koether

Michelle and John Koppin

Daniel Kreer

Deborah Kuhn

Anne Laver

Amber Lee

Ray Licata

Ashley Macvaugh

Dana and Ray Massey

Emily Marsh

Steve and Theresa McConnell

Luann McElduff

Jack Meyerhoff

Heidi Mickelson

Donna Miller

Allison Mills

Risa Moon

Jane Mount

Marguerite Munger

Michael Newland

Linda Nicks

Gayle Novak

Leslie O'Keefe

Oak Manor Saddlery LLC 

 Shelley Onderdonk DVM

Renee Padgett

Carol Parker

Molly Pellegrini 

Peggy Penland

Beth Perkins

Whitney Pierpont

Kristy Pigeon

Ziggy Poplin

Janel Prescott

Laurie Price

Punnett Family

Rekots Inc.

Steven and Adrienne Remmer

Nancy Richter

Bernadette Riley

Shannon Riley

Kim Russell

Robert Russell Jr.

Margaret Russell

Nan Sammataro

Dixie Sansom

Margi Schroth

Jessica Schultz

Anna Sharp

Torney and Kris Smith

Marsha Song

Harrison Spence

Allison Springer

Spur Community Foundation

Robert Stevenson

Catherine Stumberg Laughead

Diana Stumberg

Eric, Keri, & Ericson Stumberg

Louis Stumberg Jr.

Patrick Stumberg

Lars Swanson

Carol M Swig

Cindy Szokol

Mary Anne Taggart

Debbie Taussig-Boehner

Kathleen Taylor

Michael Taylor

Joyce Tyrrell

Kenli Urruty

Deirdre and Michel Vaillancourt

Barbie Violi

Amanda Waddle

Sara Walker

Sandra Wallop

Christopher Warren

Georganna Weatherholtz

Carolyn Wehle

Brian White

Lauren White

Carrie Whitmell

Sherry Williams

Addison Wilson

Gretchen and George Wintersteen

Mike Winton

Karen Yampolsky

Coming up at Bruce's Field

Tuesdays in the Park

Every* Tuesday, January 13 - March 17, 2026

No Tuesday Schooling February 24

Jumper, Hunter, & Dressage schooling rounds

aikenhorsepark.org/tuesdays

World Class Grooming Aiken Equine Educational Series

Tuesdays, January 13 - Feb 17, 2026

Sign Ups Online

6 week series of lectures organized by Emma Ford

aikenhorsepark.org/equine-educational-series

Aiken Winter Encore

Equus Events

January 30 - February 1, 2026

USEF National A Rated Level 2 Jumper

equusevents.com

Dressage at Bruce's Field

February 14 & 15, 2026

USEF/USDF Level 3

aikenhorsepark.org/dressage

$100,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field

presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services

February 27 & 28, 2026

aikenhorsepark.org/eventing

Dressage in the Park

March 21 & 22, 2026

USEF/USDF Level 3

aikenhorsepark.org/dressage

2026 $100,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field,

presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services

An Event Like No Other

Want to be a part of #AnEventLikeNoOther? Perspective sponsors may contact AHPF Director of Marketing & Communications Kate Boggan for more information. 

We can't wait to see you for #GPE2026

2025 Park Sponsors

2025 Park Partners

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

Putter Goodwin, Director

Craig Phillips, Director

Administration

Tara Bostwick, Chief Executive Officer

Joanie Morris, Chief Operating 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.