Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue: Your 2023 MARS Maryland 5 Star winners! Photo by Sally Spickard.
The 2024 $100,000 Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services (GPE) Organizing Committee and the Aiken Horse Park Foundation are thrilled to announce 2023 Maryland CCI 5* winner, Austin O’Connor (IRL), is scheduled to compete at the March 1 & 2 event, in Aiken, SC.
O’Conner bases his program at Alderbrook Stud in England, and will be making the trip across the pond to catch ride at #AnEventLikeNoOther.
US Eventing fans will likely recognize world #22, Austin O’Connor, as they witnessed him win the 2023 Maryland CCI5* this past October, becoming the first Irishman to win a 5* in 58 years! 2023 was a big year for O’Connor, as he also took 3rd at the Badminton CCI5* back in the spring, also aboard Maryland winner Colorado Blue. O’Connor has represented Ireland at 7 championships and 13 CCI5* competitions thus far in his career (fei.org).
Carlson 119 & Amanda Beale Clement at the 2023 Showcase
Photo by Christine Quinn Photography
O’Connor will be teaming up with showcase veteran, Carlson 119. The 14 yo German Sport Horse gelding, owned by Micheal Dell’Angelo, Reese Dell’Angelo, & Elizabeth Bales, was the long time partner of Amanda Beale Clement until just this past year when Amanda handed the reins over to student Reese Dell’Angelo, who is now learning from the experienced schoolmaster.
“Carl” and Amanda have had some very impressive results throughout their career together, including several top 5 finishes at the CCI3* and CCI4* level. The pair competed at both the 2022 & 2023 Showcase. Amanda and Carl were the top placed Young Rider pair in 2023, scoring a 27.7 in the first phase. If O’Connor and Carlson 119 can repeat that success in 2024, they’ll be well placed heading into the jumping phases with a good shot at the top of the leaderboard.
Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue at the Tokyo Olympics (2021). Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
On attracting such an impressive, international rider to the GPE, event director Joanie Morris commented:
“We love that there is this kind of buzz about this event. It is the only eventing showcase of its kind and that lends itself to great interest from overseas riders. It is a huge testament to our sponsors who stepped up and allowed us to increase our prize money to $100k, and to the team at the Aiken Horse Park Foundation that continues to raise the bar across the board. We look forward to welcoming Austin to Aiken, in addition to the best riders in North America.”
VIP & General Admission tickets available online
There are several General Admission ticket options available. Exclusive online purchase options include:
- One Full Event Pass which grants access to Friday, March 1st Dressage & Show Jumping AND Saturday, March 2nd Cross-Country
- Full Event Pass $30.00 (Friday, March 1st & Saturday, March 2nd)
- Two Single Day Pass options, which grant access to one day’s activities respectively
Friday, March 1st Only Pass $20.00 (Dressage & Show Jumping)
Saturday, March 2nd Only Pass $20.00 (Cross-Country)
These General Admission ticket options are only available online. General Admission tickets will be available at the gate for $25.oo per day,
VIP tickets include:
- Invitation to the Thursday evening, February 29th, Welcome Party
- Ring side for the Friday evening, March 1st, Show Jumping
- Prime viewing locations for the Saturday, March 2nd, Cross-Country
- Access to all VIP areas (VIP tent & Chalets) for the entire event
- Food & Beverage served
- VIP Parking
VIP tickets start at $1,000.00. For more information on Reserved Tables, Chalets, or Tailgate Parking Spots, please contact [email protected].
