
Austin O’Connor competes Carlson 119 at the 2024 Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.
The Aiken Horse Park Foundation and the GPE Organizing committee are thrilled to announce that four-time Olympian & 2023 Maryland CCI5* winner, Austin O’Connor (IRL), is returning to compete at the $100,000 Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance (GPE), Friday, February 28th & Saturday, March 1st, 2025 at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, SC.
The current FEI World #22, O’Connor added his fourth Olympic appearance to his career just this past summer, representing Ireland at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Arguably one of the most consistent cross-country riders of the day, O’Connor has 14 CCI5* completions and nine championship appearances on his resume.
This will be O’Connor’s second appearance at #AnEventLikeNoOther. No stranger to the showcase format, the Irishman remarked, “This particular venue [Bruce’s Field] lends itself well to it. It’s a real crowd pleaser! One seat sees all. I think it’s an excellent format, a great variation of the sport.” On the skills it takes to catch ride a horse at this level, “The main thing is to not irritate him. Make sure he’s happy and I don’t change his system. I’ve got to adapt to him more than him adapt to me.”

Austin O’Connor and Carlson 119. Photo by Shelby Allen.
In 2025, O’Connor will be taking on the Aiken Showcase aboard You’ve Got The Lux, owned by Elizabeth Welker-Ebling, Andrea Welker, and David Ebling of Strafford, PA. “Poppy” is a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Lux Z, out of Valeska (Carolls Flight). These two Irish natives should have a grand time showing off for the crowds in Aiken, SC.
Poppy and Welker-Ebling train out of Cairn O’Mount Stables. The mother-daughter team of Susie Beale & Amanda Beale Clement base in Aiken during the winter season and are organizing a clinic with O’Connor Feb 25 & 26. O’Connor has generously agreed to donate one clinic spot to the 2025 Area II Young Rider Fund Raising Campaign. Dressage, cross country, and show jumping spots are all available as well as opportunities to audit! For more information and sign ups, click here.
Along with O’Connor, several other exciting entries have been confirmed, including defending champions, Will Coleman & Chin Tonic HS (Chin Champ x Wildera), owned by Hyperion Stud. Also joining the competitive line up are 2022 Champions, Boyd Martin & Federman B (Eurocommerce Washington x Paulien B), owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate. Other notable combinations include:
- Phillip Dutton & Denim
- Phillip Dutton & Possante
- Emily Hamel & Corvett
- Sarah Kuhn & Mr. Cash van de Start
- Will Coleman & Off The Record
- Sharon White & Claus 63
- Dana Cook & FE Quattro
- Julie Wolfert & SSH Playboy
- Ariel Grald & Isla de Coco
- Ariel Grald & Diara
Ride for Charity

2024 Ride for Charity #TeamGreen
Aiken County Pony Club with Team Captain, Emily Hamel
An integral piece of #AnEventLikeNoOther, the Ride for Charity portion of the competition is core to the MISSION of Bruce’s Field. Each year since the GPE’s inception, local and national charitable organizations have been paired up with competitors to get in on the action. As in previous years, the 2025 event will see 6 charitable organizations paired up with 6 teams of competitors. The top 3 placing teams at the end of the competition earn a check for their respective organization. Participating organizations in turn support the showcase by providing volunteers, most notably at the ticket gates. Each participating organization is also given the opportunity to set up informational booths in the Vendor Village and are encouraged to promote their charity and educate attendees about their cause. Several of the charitable organizations participating in the 2025 GPE Ride for Charity are:
- Aiken County Pony Club
- Tri-Development Center of Aiken
- Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs
- Aiken Volunteer Mounted Unit
As we finalize all the details of this year’s Ride for Charity, we’ll give you a more in-depth look at each of these amazing organizations and the work they are doing to serve the community. The popular “Online Vote” will also be published for YOU to get involved and vote for your favorite Ride for Charity team. We encourage you to visit each organizations website and learn more about their important work.
Spectator Course Walks

Photo by Sally Spickard.
One of the best parts of #AnEventLikeNoOther are the up close and personal opportunities with some of the BIGGEST names in the sport!
Friday, February 28th
In between Dressage & Show Jumping (official time TBD)
Triple Crown Feeds Show Jumping Course Walk with U.S. Olympian Phillip Dutton & FEI Level 4 Course Designer Michel Vaillancourt
Saturday, March 1st
Before Cross-Country (official time TBD) Purina Feeds Cross-Country Course Walk with U.S. Olympian Boyd Martin
These course walks are open to all ticket holders! No preregistration required. Join us at the Show Jumping In Gate and the Cross-Country Start Box and learn from the best in the business!
To secure your tickets to #AnEventLikeNoOther, click here.