Aiken Hunter Trials

We had the MOST beautiful day on October 1 for our third annual Hunter Trial. This year we shortened the outside course and made it much easier with fewer hills.This not only decreased the degree of difficulty but let riders go a bit quicker, to avoid endless waiting around. The new jumps and the new system worked well.

The Hunter Trial really should be aimed at Fox Hunting horses but it is my intention (having learned in England) that these trials are incredibly valuable to all to have a nice slow go round over excellent fences and JUST SCHOOL AND BOND with one's horse.
All courses and jumps were open to school the day before. Most people that came to ride in the Hunter Trial came and schooled to familiarize themselves with these more open courses. They all had a great time. AS schooling was only $15.00,One can not get a better opportunity anywhere to school such beautiful jumps.

We also had a hunter ring that started with cross rails and then went to more substantial courses with gates, walls ,roll tops from 2'3 to 2'9 and then culminated with a three foot Hunter Derby. The course was fabulous with a mixture of hunter show jumps and a few cross country jumps and a ditch.

The riders in all classes were amazing and I have to say that this is what Paradise farm is all about. EDUCATION! These people came out here and rode WAY out of their element and had a fabulous time.

Paradise Farm offers the most perfect venue for horses with a huge variety of jumps and terrain and PERFECT footing but also A venue whereby owners trainer, parents and all supporters can stand on a hillside and watch every step of their horse.

My heart sings with joy to see these people realize their own huge accomplishments.This is not about high powered eventing or high powered anything. I am just so happy to be able to offer an INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL facility for these people to learn about themselves and their wonderful horses.

The dog show was a HUGE hit with 20 in the prettiest eyes,16 in the best wagger and 6 costumers.To see the children have so much fun was almost as good as winning ROLEX. (Not that I really know what that's like)

I have to Thank out loud my dear friends, without them, none of this would have happened. Barbie,Antonio,Nanu,Mimi(cook)Barry Doss(cook),Penny Kaster(painter ),Marsha Styger(painter)Bob Shellhouse for his trailer,Rose Hill as a class sponsor,Our great judges Susan Timmerman and Grace Vance,Anne Kinney,Betsey Minton,Lynn and Joe Kramp. A Huge thanks to Mike Sharp for being our announcer again!

I want to THANK EVERYONE that came to support Paradise farm. It was SUCH a fun day.Laura Hall brought all the children. We need MORE. WHERE WERE YOU GUYS?

Paradise offers a very unique opportunity and it is our wish to give this to the horse community here in AIKEN.WHERE WERE YOU GUYS? We miss you and hope you will come next year. You are guarantied fun and a great day.So put on your calendars for next year the first Saturday in October. See you then