Is Aiken the new center of US winter eventing?

Eventing in the US has two primary winter locations: Ocala, FL and Aiken, SC.  With all due respect to California, Southern Pines, and other areas of significant winter training, most of the 4* riders and coaches migrate to Ocala or Aiken.  Conventional wisdom says that Aiken and Ocala are pretty equal: Ocala has David, Aiken Has Phillip, Ocala has Rocking Horse and the Florida Horse Park, Aiken has Full Gallop and many other great events–you get the idea.  But, our thinking might begin to change from looking at the High Performance training schedule.  I knew that Aiken would have three of the A-listers (PD, Boyd, and Kim) and many of the B-listers, but I was surprised to see truly how many B-listers and developing riders are in Aiken compared to Ocala and California this year.  Here are the totals from the most recent training session schedules: 

High Performance A-List:
Aiken: 3 (Kim, Phillip, Boyd)
California: 1 (Amy)
Ocala: 0

High Performance B-List:
Aiken: 5 (Jennie, Allison, Lainey, Will C, and Will F)
Ocala: 3 (Karen, Hannah, Buck)
California: 1 (Tiana)

Developing A and B Lists:
Aiken: 6
Ocala: 5
California: 3

Total High Performance and Developing riders on the schedule:
Aiken: 14
Ocala: 8
California: 5
 
Make no mistake that Ocala and California have a lot of really talented 4* riders, but it is interesting and surprising that Aiken has more High Performance riders than Ocala and California combined.

Why does Aiken have so many High Performance riders?  Personally, I find Aiken to be cheaper than Ocala–a dry stall in Aiken costs about 30% less than a comparable dry stall in Ocala.  Also, many of the developing riders travel to Aiken to take lessons from Phillip–which will be an important aspect of his US coaching application.  Lastly, Aiken has a horse trials within a one hour drive every weekend from now until April–that’s a big luxury. 

As a quick note, when we are looking at the list, remember that there are several Aiken session riders who are not based specifically in Aiken, such as Will Faudree who has a beautiful farm in Southern Pines, NC.  Also, several members of the developing rider lists are not scheduled for these first three training sessions, but, knowing where they train, I don’t think it would change the results.

If you will be in Aiken next week, I highly suggest that you stop by and check out the training sessions at Three Runs Plantation.  Auditing is free, and last year there were about 30 to 40 people watching each training session.  I’ll hopefully make it to Wednesday’s session.

Here is the Three Runs Plantation schedule [via USEA]:
 

Also, Team USA is getting their buff on.  The High Performance riders will also spend time in Aiken working with a US Olympic Committee nutritionist, sports psychologist and a strength/conditioning specialist.  Go eventing.