Annie's father, Putter Goodwin, presents the The 2026 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant to recipient Elle Choate at the 2026 $100,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce's Field, p/b THIS


Joining Elle and Putter (C) at the presentation were (L-R) Jim & Vickie Choate, Ashley Adams, Kim Ferguson, Cat Stumburg, Mike Koether, and Craig Duchossois

 

ANNIE GOODWIN RISING STAR GRANT

2027 Applications Due September 30th

Aiken Horse Park Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2026


AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA: The Aiken Horse Park Foundation (AHPF) is pleased to offer the 2027 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant Application to all qualified applicants. Established in the spirit of her vision and legacy, the Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant, provides financial support for young professional equestrians establishing the early years of their business and wishing to continue their equestrian education and competition. 


All applicants must be:  


  • Professional member in good standing with their respective national governing body
  • US citizen or legal resident
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Reside in Aiken, SC for a minimum of three (3) months annually 
  • Between the ages of eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years of age (born between 1995 - 2008)


The 2027 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant is now accepting applicants


All applications and materials are due by September 30th, 2026


Interested in supporting the next generation of equestrian professionals in memory of Annie Goodwin?


In the spirit of Annie’s vision and legacy, the Aiken Horse Park Foundation has established the Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund, to foster, support and develop Aiken’s young equestrians who embody Annie’s character and dedication in their respective sports. 


Please click below to donate to our secure online portal, or should you prefer to write a check please mail to the following: AHPF PO Box 1951, Aiken SC 29802, attn. Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund 


Checks should be made out to the Aiken Horse Park Foundation



For more information on the grant and previous recipients, please visit: aikenhorsepark.org/annie-goodwin-rising-star



The Annie Goodwin Rising Star Selection Committee awarded two grants in 2026. Sophie Miller (C) was formally recognized at the 2026 Aiken Charity Horse Shows joined by (L-R) Joanie Morris, Cat Stumberg, Tara Bostwick, and Kate Boggan

Thank You Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund Donors

(07.31.2026)

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

Paula 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 in 2026

Bruce's Field 5k

September 26th

Start at Bruce's Field, tour through Aiken's Historic Horse District, and finish back at Bruce's Field!

Register now at: 

runsignup.com


Equine Summit at Bruce's Field, p/b Aiken Saddlery

September 26th

Vendors, demonstrations, and fun galore! A dynamic gathering of horse enthusiasts, industry professionals, and innovators dedicated to advancing equine knowledge, care, and performance.

Tickets will be sold online at: 

aikenhorsepark.org


Carolina Regional Pony Club SJ Rally

Carolina Regional Pony Club

September 26th & 27th

Show Jumping Rally

carolina.ponyclub.org


Southern Strings Festival

Ksiner Foundation

October 2nd & 3rd

Bluegrass Music Festival

southernstringsfest.com


October at Bruce's Field I & II

October 15th - 18th & October 22nd - 25th

USEF National A Rated Level 3 Jumper

aikenhorsepark.org/fall-in-love-with-aiken


November at Bruce's Field

November 5th - 8th

USEF National A Rated Level 3 Jumper

aikenhorsepark.org/fall-in-love-with-aiken


Aiken Holiday Classic

Equus Events

November 27th - 29th

USEF National A Rated Level 2 Jumper

equusevents.com


Aiken December Classics I & II

Equus Events

December 3rd - 6th & December 10th - 13th

USEF National A Rated Level 2 Jumper

equusevents.com


 

2026 Park Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze 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

Putter Goodwin, 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

Charles Bostwick, Administrative Assistant


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.