By the 1880s, numerous wealthy Northerners had adopted
Aiken as their winter home, establishing the
“Winter Colony.” Arriving by train, the winter colonists
spent their me in Aiken playing golf, court tennis, and
bird hunng. They were also accomplished equestrians,
polo players and avid foxhunters. Many aristocrats, like
the Hitchcocks, Whitneys, Vanderbilts, Goodyears, and Astors,
loved the area so much that they built grand “coages” that
sll stand today. They established Aiken as the principal winter
home and training ground for some of the country’s finest racing
thoroughbreds.
So, what’s the allure of this small town where so many of the
streets are sll unpaved? That’s the beauty of it. Aiken caters
to horses – and equestrians. The unpaved streets provide good
foong for horses, so that’s why they remain today. Some of
the most valuable properes are on sandy clay streets in Aiken’s
historic district.
Horses are part of everyday life here. Downtown street signs
are embellished with horse heads, crosswalks have buons at
“horse” height allowing riders to cross traffic safely, shops and
restaurants display equestrian artwork, photographs and winning
racing silks. It is common to see people in riding boots and
breeches in shops, restaurants and grocery stores. “Traffic” is a
four-in-hand carriage out for a drive in the historic district.
If you are a horse show competor, Aiken has a wide variety of
opons to choose from. There are recognized dressage, 3-day
evenng and hunter/jumper shows year-round at top notch facili
es such as Bruce’s Field, Highfields and StableView. You can
oen even find a one-day show on a weekday, making Aiken
an incredibly affordable opon to the usual high cost of horse
showing. Many other facilies, such as The Vista, Full Gallop
and Paradise Farm, offer schooling shows, and hunter paces.
There is no shortage of spectator events either. Aiken’s Triple
Crown features three weekends of fun in the spring including
the Aiken Trials, a flat race for young thoroughbred champion
hopefuls, the Aiken Steeplechase and Pacers and Polo, a benefit
game for the University of South Carolina. The Grand Prix Eventing
showcase at Bruce’s Field in February is a who’s who of U.S.
evenng riders, and internaonal competors from Canada,
Brazil, and the UK.
One of Aiken’s gems is Hitchcock Woods, the largest privatelyowned
urban forest in the country. Its 2,100 acres and 70 miles
of sandy trails have been a haven for pedestrians and equestrians
since the early 1800’s. It is also the home of the Aiken
Hounds, the oldest, connuously operang foxhunt in the country.
The Aiken Horse Show, or “Show in the Woods,” a benefit
for the Hitchcock Woods Foundaon, is held every spring in the
grass show ring and ringside tent within the Woods.
Aiken’s vibrant downtown is the center of acvity all year long.
Locally-owned bouques and shops, chef-owned restaurants
and coffee shops, anque stores and art studios line the streets.
Thursday nights in mid-March are the start of “Amp the Alley,”
where you can stroll the Alley with your favorite drink, enjoy
live music, and check out the local farmer’s market. Other
downtown fesvals include Hops n’ Hogs, Aiken’s Makin, Oktoberfest,
Chocolate Fesval, Joye in Aiken and Anques in the
Heart of Aiken.
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