Full Recap of the 2022 $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce's Field

2022 $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field

Presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services

March 4 & 5, 2022

Bruce's Field

931 Powderhouse Rd Aiken, SC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 06, 2022

CONTACT:

Kate Boggan

Director of Marketing & Communications

kate@aikenhorsepark.org

Boyd Martin & Fedarman B "Bruno", owned by The Annie Goodwin Syndicate

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA – There was not a dry eye in the house as Boyd Martin and Fedarman B, "Bruno", galloped through the finish flags Saturday afternoon. Owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate, Bruno belonged to the late Annie Goodwin, who passed away in a tragic schooling accident this summer. Martin, who coached Annie for several years, took the ride in the fall of 2021, and together the pair finished on their dressage score of 25.9.

One his emotional win, Boyd remarked, “What a privilege to ride this horse. Annie was so special to so many people especially in this community and then to bring the horse here and her fiancé and mom, dad, all her best mates are here, and the horse on top of that went like a champ…I couldn’t have hoped for better.”

#GPE2022 Champion Boyd Martin, and Annie Goodwin's loved ones

Boyd Martine and Christine Turner's Tsetserleg finished second, adding just one rail and 0.4 time in SJ & XC to their dressage score to finish on a 28.5.

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap, owned by Jessica & Doug Payne and Susan Drillock, rounded out the top three on a finishing score of 31.9.

The 2022 $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field, presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, podium:

1st Boyd Martin & Fedarman B, owned by The Annie Goodwin Syndicate

2nd Boyd Martin & Tsetserleg, owned by Christine Turner

3rd Doug Payne & Quantum Leap, owned by Jessica & Doug Payne and Susan Drillock

Presenting - Jack Wetzel, AHPF President (L), Michael Taylor, THIS President & Director (R)

4th Doug Payne & Starr Witness, owned by Laurie McRee, Jessica Payne, and Catherine Winter

6th Doug Payne & Vandiver, owned by Jessica Payne and Debi Crowley

5th Colleen Loach & Vermont, owned by Peter Barry

7th Colleen Loach & FE Golder Eye, owned by Colleen Loach, Peter Barry, Amanda Bernhard, and Maureen Lemay

8th Sydney Elliott & QC Diamantaire, owned by Carol Stephens

9th Caitlin Silliman & Ally KGO, owned by Caitlin Silliman and The Ally KGO Syndicate, LLC.

10th Sara Kozumplik & Rubens D'ysieux, owned by Edy Ramieka and The Unicorn Group

The Annie Goodwin Sportsmanship Award

Two "special" Awards were also given out during Saturday's award ceremony. The first was the inaugural Annie Goodwin Sportsmanship Award, in honor of the late Annie Goodwin. This year's recipient was Amanda Beale-Clement. Amanda was nominated by her fellow riders for the honor, and Phillip Dutton and Annie's father, Putter Goodwin, were there to present.

Top Rookie

This year's Top Rookie Award went out to Caitlin Silliman. Silliman and her mare, Ally KGO, were the highest placed first timers at this year's showcase. They added just one rail in show jumping and a handful of time on cross-country to finish 9th on a score of 44.6. GPE Committee Chair, Phillip Dutton presented the award. Burke Horse Studs provided a complete set of titanium horse studs for this year's Top Rookie Award. Thank you Burke Horse Studs for the excellent prize!

The livestream replays will be available on Horse & Country TV.

For full results click HERE

Remembering Annie Goodwin

Before the start of Cross-Country, loved ones gathered in the main arena for a moment to celebrate and reflect on the life of Annie Goodwin. Annie suffered a tragic accident last summer, while schooling her beloved Bruno in preparation for competition.

Originally from Buffalo, Wyoming, Annie chose to live in and grow her successful equestrian business in Aiken. Here, she developed a strong following, all of whom were fortunate to gain from her love and knowledge of the sport. Her huge smile, infectious laugh, enthusiasm for life, and dedication to her sport, made her an endearing member of our community.

Annie Goodwin was a rising star in the sport of eventing. She was a frequent competitor at Bruce's Field and was a fixture at our winter schooling days since their inception in 2016. Annie invested in our community by volunteering her time at Bruce’s Field. Most recently, she volunteered as a member of the organizing committee for our Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field, and had her rookie start as a competitor in the March 2021 showcase.

Below are the words shared during this time by her father, Putter Goodwin, and dear friend, Ashley Adams.

Annie’s father Putter Goodwin, her good friends Ashley Adams, Caitlin Silliman, Nikki Scherrer, Erin Kanara, and Annie’s fiancé Jake Padgett with her beloved horse Bruno

"Annie really wanted to be here today – every bit as much as we wish that too.

So, let’s make sure she is.

Let’s remember her with a smile and all the joy she would bring.

Let’s remember her with a cheer and all the encouragement she would share.

Let’s remember her with inspiration. Gallop on today!

This great sport is never without risk but is always about partnership and camaraderie.

The spirit of challenge - fairness and friendship is what drew Annie to this life and especially to this sport. Much to the surprise of her parents because Annie once announced with all the wisdom of her 12 years “I would never be an eventer – all you do is get hurt and you never win anything!”

We think that is only one of the reasons she was so supportive of this great Showcase Event and the exciting opportunities it creates.

In the words of a friend, “This was her life and she was fortunate to be living it”

Annie grew up in the wide-open spaces, more horses, cows, and dogs in her life than people. She recognized them all as friends. Annie was no stranger to the ups and downs of a life horseback.

Annie chose this life – she was passionate about it – she worked for it every day and in horselife she found purpose. From the day she could walk – she rode. She took to horses and they to her.

She had opportunity to be exposed to exceptional horse men and women in all disciplines and she soaked it up like a sponge. These things and many more are the reasons why she chose this place - this ground - this community to call home. She loved that here, horses can still be horses. Farms have ample pasture and paddocks for turn out, the sandy hills provide good footing for training and conditioning, there are plenty of playgrounds to prepare young horses and great competitions to measure progress. Plus - good - year-round weather… OK, summers are hot and this year, winter is cold!!!

But mostly it is this community - this amazing, inclusive community that fosters development and opportunity for horses and horse people of all sorts. To be included you need only - truly love a horse.

In the same way she chose this horse - Bruno.

On a wing and a prayer, she purchased him off a video with an agent’s recommendation. An unbacked 3-year-old, he was every bit as talented, quirky and intelligent as she was – with the help of many - they came a long way together. You have only to see pictures of them to know their connection. Annie would want no one other than Boyd and everyone at Windurra to continue that journey. In the spirit of sportsmanship that was Annie’s greatest achievement we wish all of the competitors a great day of sport. We want to thank everyone gathered here for the love that you have for Annie and the support this community has shown her.

She really wishes she could be here today - so let’s kick on for Annie"

- Putter Goodwin

"Annie Goodwin was the type of friend that everybody wanted and everyone wanted to strive to be. Her smile could turn your day around. She walked with style and grace and yet was only a phone call away to meet at a dive bar for happy hour!

Annie had this unbelievable way of making the people around her strong when they felt weak, brave when they felt scared, and calm when they felt worried. She had an unwavering passion for her horses, her career, and her friends alike. Annie oozed compassion, consideration, and dedication to doing things the right way, always putting her horses above herself.

Her passion for her horses was beyond admirable. Annie was so driven to achieve her goals and had a fire inside of her that was so strong and burned so bright, that now she has given that same drive and fire to all of us that she touched.

I truly believe that while Annie is no longer with us her legacy will live on through the power and love that she put into her dreams, her horses, and her friends. We encourage all of you to go out there and be Annie's legacy. Ride with style and grit, hug your horses, hug your friends, and above all be kind and share a smile."

- Ashley Adams

2022 GPE Ride For Charity

GPE 2022 Ride For Charity top 3 teams with AHPF Board Member and Charity Liaison, Amy Borun

Since the inaugural event in 2019, the GPE has donated over $30,000 to charitable organizations. The riders are placed onto teams and each team represents a charitable organization. At the end of the competition, the top three scoring teams earn checks for their respective charity. This year the top three teams were:

1st - Team Purple

Tri-Development Center of Aiken

Captain - Boyd Martin

Caitlin Silliman

Nilson Da Silva

Colleen Rutledge

2nd - Team Green

Megiddo Dream Station

Captain - Emily Hamel

Sharon White

Mike Pendleton

William Fox-Pitt

3rd - Team Orange

Aiken County Pony Club

Captain - Lillian Heard

Colleen Loach

Sydney Elliot

Alex Baugh

In addition to the $5,000 Ride For Charity, the 2021 event introduced the Fan Vote. Fans are able to vote online for their favorite teams. At $5 per vote, 100% of the funds raised goes back to the charities the people voted for. We ran the online vote again for the 2022 event and the results are as pictured below. Thank you to everyone who contributed to these great causes!

2022 Participating Organizations

Thursday Night Rider Welcome Party

Thank you to Cork & Cap for sponsoring Thursday night's Rider Welcome Party! Downtown Aiken’s destination bottle shop specializing in wine, craft beer and gourmet specialty foods, as well as tastings and pop-up events in the garden. For more info, visit shopcorkandcap.com

Retired Racehorse Project Master Class

On Friday, between the morning's dressage and the afternoon's show jumping, Buck Davidson coached four riders with four retired racehorses. Each horse is at their own stage of transition between racing and sport. Buck offered his keen insight into the process of transitioning racehorses into their next careers and provided his years of experience developing horses for the sport of eventing. Additional commentary was provided by RRP board vice chair and Aiken-area professional horseman Richard Lamb.

Evie & Phillip Dutton Barn Dedication

The first barn dedication of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation's capital campaign, entitled The Next Chapter, took place Friday evening following the conclusion of Show Jumping at the $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field, presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services. An anonymous donor chose to provide the naming rights to Phillip Dutton in recognition of the significant relationship he had with Bruce Duchossois over the years and in acknowledgement of his ongoing leadership role at the Aiken Horse Park Foundation.

AHPF President, Jack Wetzel, with Evie & Phillip Dutton at the Barn Dedication

Friday Night Grooms Dinner

A HUGE thank you to Jessica & Brandon Smith, for donating Pizza for the groom's dinner Friday night, on the show office porch! The Pizza Joint crafts hand-tossed, East-Coast style pies using our daily scratch-made dough and sauces with quality ingredients on brick hearth ovens.

Boyd Martin Course Walk

The best way to kick off cross-country day is a course walk with an eventing legend. Thank you to three time Olympian, Boyd Martin, for giving us all a bit of insight on what is takes to preform at the highest level of the sport!

Double Dan Horsemanship Demonstration

The Aiken Horse Park Foundation was thrilled to welcome Double Dan Horsemanship to Bruce's Field. A liberty demonstration took place before the start of cross-country on Saturday.

Dan James is a two time international World Champion Colt Starter, a multiple time Freestyle Reining Champion, a muli-discipline Crowd Favorite several times over and a Mustang Makeover finalist. From winning the “Way of the Horse” at Equitana Asia Pacific in 2008 to winning the coveted Road to the Horse International Cost Starting World Championship in 2012 to winning two consecutive Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining Championships and earning Reserve Champion multiple times to representing Australia in the 2018 World Equestrian Games James continues to wow judges, fans, and audiences alike with his incredible training techniques, elite showmanship, and unique understanding of how horses learn.

The Double Dan Horsemanship Exhibition was sponsored by Willie Hartnett.

Aiken Hounds Parade

The hounds were shown by first whipper-in Brooke Miller and aided by Dione Carroll, Cathi Grove, and on the ground, Freddy Gilligan.

Aiken Hounds' Masters are Linda Knox McLean, Larry E. Byers, Sarah Greenhill Wildasin and Karl A. McMillan

The Aiken Hounds, formerly called the Old Aiken Drag, were established in 1914 by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hitchcock of Long Island, NY, who came to Aiken in the early 1900's to escape the long New York winters. They brought their hunters, race horses, steeplechasers and polo ponies with them to Aiken by train. The Hitchcocks, along with Ambrose Clark and Celestine Eustis, purchased the land we know as the Hitchcock Woods from local farmers and used it as a training ground for their steeplechasers during the winter months. The Woods at that time were four times bigger than they are today, encompassing more than 8,000 acres of sandy land interspersed with long leaf pines.

Mrs. Hitchcock first began hunting a beagle pack in the woods, importing long legged rabbits from the mid-west to be pursued by her beagles. The green livery that is worn by the Aiken Hounds Masters and Staff today harkens back to those days.

One winter the Hitchcocks decided to introduce a drag pack - a pack of foxhounds that would follow a fox's scent over a pre-set route. They had already built miles and miles of 'drag' lines of fences for their steeplechasers - many of the fences were over 5 feet in height - to be jumped in either direction throughout the Woods, so introducing hounds into the mix only added to the fun.

The tradition continues today. The fences are lower, and the Woods is smaller, but enthusiasm for the chase has not diminished. Aiken's hounds are Pennmarydel and American hounds, they are well suited to the mostly sandy and dry conditions in the Hitchcock Woods and are best known for their discerning noses, obedience, and great cry.

Aiken Youth Polo Demonstration

During the last break before the top placed riders went out on cross-country, the crowd was treated to a polo demonstration by Aiken Youth Polo.

Aiken Youth Polo is a subsidiary program of the Aiken Polo Club. Its mission is to introduce youth to the sport of polo in the Aiken and surrounding areas. Kids can start participating in the lead line division all the way to the High School teams. Kids from the ages of 5 through 18 years old. No riding experience is needed and horses and equipment can all be provided to the students.

Please contact the AYP polo manager Tiger Kneece if you have any interest in a kid trying out polo!

Phone: 803-646-3301

Email: tigerkneece@bellsouth.net

Breakfast on the Porch

Thank you to Altorac Farm, Michelle & John Koppin, and Four Schools Farm for providing the Groom & Rider Breakfast every morning on the Show Office Porch! The Hospitality at Bruce's Field is one of our top priorities and we're grateful for your support.

Michelle & John Koppin

The VISION of the 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 2022 $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field, presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, visit aikenhorsepark.org

An Eventing “Showcase” is a unique version of Eventing competition that condenses the traditional country-side Eventing environment into a spectator friendly venue. The showcase format allows the general public the chance to be up close and personal, right next to the galloping lanes and massive fences, and experience the thrilling sport of Eventing in a whole new way. This equestrian triathlon presents a prime opportunity for top eventing riders to kick start their competition season, and to welcome the public to an exciting fast-paced equestrian event.

#AnEventLikeNoOther