Hello, 2018! Stable View Aiken Opener Recap & Photo Gallery

Photo by Christine Rhodes.

Stable View kicked off its bustling 2018 show schedule with the Aiken Opener Horse Trials over the weekend, Jan. 6-7. The event was the first of the 2018 calendar year for 124 horse/rider combinations who contested Beginner Novice through Preliminary divisions.

The event began with the dressage and show jumping phases on Saturday for all levels. Three dressage rings ran concurrently, and was the first opportunity for many riders to try their hands at the new 2018 USEA dressage tests, which went into effect Dec. 1. The lowest score of the day went to Mike Pendelton and The Fonz Himself, who ultimately won the Open Training division on their dressage result of 20.0.

Later in the morning the show jumping phase began in the Outdoor Arena on first-class Attwood Equestrian Surfaces footing. The course, designed by Beth Perkins, rode well and many riders turned in double-clear rounds.

Onto Sunday … cross country day! Due to below freezing temperatures, the start was delayed by one hour. The courses were designed by Mogie Bearden-Muller and meant to be inviting ‘opener’ style courses. Mogie explained, “My premise for these course designs was to give the horses a nice, forward experience to begin the year.”

With open galloping lanes, riders were able to give particularly their greener horses a forward ride to build confidence for the rest of the season. The courses featured many of the fixed assets as well as a variety of movable fences placed strategically on Stable View’s world-class cross country course. The more difficult questions on course were balanced with inviting fences to give riders a confidence-boosting cross country round to prepare them for future competitions.

While on the property, spectators and competitors alike were able to view many of the ongoing projects at Stable View, including the Pavilion which is due to be completed at the end of 2018. This will be a LEED certified, multi-purpose building with viewing areas for both the Outdoor Arena and the cross country course. More improvements are under construction by the second cross country course, which will be used for the Stable View Eventing Academy, a new schooling series that offers a schooling day on Saturday followed by a full schooling horse trial on Sunday.

Without the continued support of sponsors and the dedication of loyal volunteers, this event would not be possible.

Congratulations to the winners in each division from the Stable View Aiken Opener! This show is just the beginning of another successful year of eventing.

Division winners (view full results here):

Junior/Young Rider Open Preliminary: Jessie Schwartz & WHF Kitaro (25.90)
Open Preliminary: Tiffani Loudon-Metze & Hap (23.90)
Preliminary Rider: Tawn Edwards & All of Indy (39.90)
Junior/Young Rider Training: Dylan Philipps & Fernhill Fierce (30.50)
Open Training: Mike Pendelton & The Fonz Himself (20.00)
Training Rider: Sierra Shurtz & Zach Eyed Pea (33.60)
Junior/Young Rider Novice: Malik Hogan & Top Vision (31.10)
Novice Rider: Jane Manetta & George (31.90)
Open Novice: Courtney Cooper & Seraphina (27.60)
Beginner Novice Rider: Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt & Eluca (30.00)
Junior/Young Rider Beginner Novice: Carly Blank & Take Your Time (30.30)
Open Beginner Novice: Amy Wise & Ruger (26.20)

For more information on upcoming events at Stable View, visit stableviewfarm.com.