Bruce’s Offset Logs: Fence 19/20 on last year’s course. Photo by Shelby Allen.
You know what would make a great Christmas or Hanukkah gift this year? Tickets to what was hailed as one of last year’s most spectator-friendly and exciting events, the $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, South Carolina.
After the successful debut of the event last year, which drew some 5,000 spectators to The Aiken Horse Park Foundation, the organizers are excited to host round the second iteration of the event on February 28-29, 2020. Dressage and show jumping will take place on Friday the 28th and cross country will take place on Saturday the 29th. General admission tickets go on sale online today, December 1st, for $25.
“We couldn’t be more pleased and excited with the success of the inaugural event,” said Phillip Dutton, who Chairs the event’s organizing committee.
“We feel showcase events like this have an important role in the sport of Eventing, allowing for greater visibility and sponsorship opportunities outside of the equestrian world. Our goals for the future include our desire to help grow the sport as a whole as well as growing this event so that the Grand-Prix Eventing showcase, Bruce’s Field and the Aiken community remains the destination that equestrian riders and supporters come to visit, train, and enjoy during the winter months.”
2019 winners Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Shelby Allen.
The inaugural competition boasted a star-studded entry list with a total of 35 horse and rider pairs representing representing 6 countries. A particular highlight amongst last year’s entrants was the one-and-only William Fox-Pitt catch riding Hannah Salazar’s Sandro’s Star. We’re hoping the 2020 entry list will be another ‘Who’s Who’ of eventing, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted regarding entry updates right here on EN.
Competitors will once again “Ride for Charity” next year as each will be paired with and represent a participating local non-profit organization. The top three finishers at the conclusion of the event will earn checks for the charity with which they are paired. The 2020 Ride for Charity application is currently open. All Aiken County non-profits in good standing are eligible to apply.
Need a little eventing fix right now or want to see what the LiftMaster Eventing Grand-Prix is all about? You can watch a replays of all phases of last year’s event right here and revisit all of EN’s coverage here.
