INSIDE
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3.....................Contributors 5.....................Welcome Letter 10.............Room To Play, Ride, Live 22.............Member Spotlight 29.............Polo Equipment 36.............Chukkers of Hope 41.............Game Time 52.............Horsepitality 62.............Polo: A Family Affair 70.............Beyond Malbec 80.............Clothes Horse
92.............Las Modelos 108......The Gathering Table 121......Index of Advertisers 123......Ride Off
On the Cover: Orchard Hill Polo Team’s Ventaja, Uleen and Flor. Photo by Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions (803) 474-3094 / ohschmidt.com New Bridge | 2021 | 1
100 COLLETON AVE, SW • AIKEN, SC • 803.648.1898 • THEWILLCOX.COM
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220 GREYSTONE LN • LAKE TOXAWAY, NC • 828.966.4700 • GREYSTONEINN.COM
CONTRIBUTORS Editor & Publisher KATIE ROTH founded the New Bridge magazine nine years ago and is passionate about every edition. Her career began in the motorsports industry, and she has experience in many areas including, public relations, writing, promotion, photography and event management. Katie competes in dressage with her mares Taiga and Cali and enjoys training her dogs Maximus and Sammi. She can be reached at katieroth@bellsouth.net. Photographer & Creative Director SHELLY MARSHALL SCHMIDT is a commercial and fine art photographer who brings her skills in both photography and creative collaboration to this ninth edition of the magazine. Beyond the New Bridge magazine, Shelly draws from her background in interior design and large-format printing to produce unique custom artwork for select photography projects — from conceptual development and image capture to the design and printing of each piece. She can be reached at shelly@ohschmidt.com
CONTRIBUTOR, Raza Kazmi is the general manager of New Bridge Polo & Country Club. He also sells developer owned and non-developer owned property through New Bridge Realty, the real estate arm of New Bridge Polo Club. Raza is instrumental in every facet of New Bridge, including the magazine. He assists with content development and procuring talent. CONTRIBUTOR, Marianne Yost is a writer, entrepreneur, and horsewoman. She restored Banks Hall, a 1907 historic guest lodge. Her first novel, Suddenly Single in Palm Beach, Sex, Death and the Pursuit of Happiness, is available on Amazon. The sequel, Suddenly Southern, from Stilettos to Snakeboots, is coming out soon. Marianne can be reached at yost@theaikeninn.com. CONTRIBUTOR, James Alford is the Owner/Operator of Cork and Cap, downtown Aiken’s neighborhood bottle shoppe, specializing in a thoughtful selection of wine for all occasions, craft beer, and fine provisions to go. James loves to share his wine knowledge in an approachable way. Visit Cork and Cap in the Yellow Cottage at 146 Laurens St NW / shopcorkandcap.com CONTRIBUTOR, Karin Jeffcoat is the owner of Côte Designs, a floral boutique in historic downtown Aiken. Her floral design artistry and event planning expertise have received many accolades and her work has been featured in several national publications. Contact Karin at (803) 270-0034 or visit cotedesignevents.com New Bridge | 2021 | 3
THE DATEJUST The ultimate Rolex classic, the Datejust was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window, and continues to be the quintessential watch, reflecting the essence of timeless style.
#Perpetual
Oyster Perpetual DATEJUST 41
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oyster perpetual and datejust are ® trademarks.
On behalf of New Bridge Polo & Country Club, welcome to the 2021-2022 polo season and the ninth edition of our magazine. We are extremely proud of this award-winning, impressive and very creative publication. Our magazine illustrates the heart of our community — our focus is polo, but New Bridge means much more to the residents that have chosen to reside here. It’s about the ability to live in a beautiful place where we can enjoy our friends, our horses, the idyllic scenery and #newbridgelife. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors, advertisers, members and guests for their continued support and loyalty. We look forward to bringing you top-notch tournaments on our superb fields. Games are open to the public and I invite you to bring your friends and family to experience New Bridge. Updated tournament information and field locations can be found on our website (newbridgepolo.com) or call the polo information line at (803) 644-7706. See you on the field!
Russ McCall New Bridge Polo & Country Club 862 New Bridge Road Aiken, SC 29805 Phone: (888) 4NB-POLO Fax: (803) 648-3830 General Manager and New Bridge Realty Raza Kazmi info@newbridgepolo.com (803) 648-3699
Polo Manager Haley Bryan Hbryan2485@aol.com (803) 215-3577 Stables Manager Amanda Wilson stables@newbridgepolo.com (404) 580-2360
Sponsorship/PR/Magazine Katie Roth katieroth@bellsouth.net (803) 341-8800 Polo Information Line: (803) 644-7706
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By Katie Roth | Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt
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ABOUT NEW BRIDGE: Polo & Country Club | The Stables | New Bridge Realty Founded by Russ McCall in 2000, New Bridge Polo & Country Club was born from the excitement, intensity and tradition of polo and continues to thrive today as a community where sport meets lifestyle. Nestled among 861-acres of rolling pasture lands, this private, gated community welcomes equestrians of all disciplines as well as those who simply love the outdoors. New Bridge is a special place that celebrates horses, people, and land. While it feels worlds away, it is just 15 minutes from downtown Aiken, South Carolina, a renowned equestrian destination with a vibrant downtown.
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Spectators are welcome at New Bridge. Join us at the clubhouse for the thrilling action of Sunday polo.
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HOME OF NEW BRIDGE POLO & COUNTRY CLUB Polo is the heart of New Bridge. Members enjoy five state-of-the-art, championship polo fields, acclaimed among U.S. and international players. We offer fast-paced, competitive polo tournaments during our spring and fall seasons. Stick and ball fields, practice areas and an exercise track make this the perfect place to prepare for tournament action. Our regulation-sized polo arena is the site of interscholastic and intercollegiate action and home to Aiken Youth Polo and the University of South Carolina Aiken men’s and women’s teams. It is also the perfect place for new players of all ages to learn the game. New Bridge offers coaching for all levels, from juniors and beginners to seasoned veterans. Pick-up games and open practices are offered throughout the year. Our friendly outfitters can provide everything you need to get in the game — from tack to ponies.
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THE STABLES AT NEW BRIDGE The Stables is our full care, 24-stall boarding facility that offers full-service boarding by the year or season. Our professional, experienced staff has your horse’s health and happiness as their top priority. We offer meticulous daily stall care, feeding, individual turnout, blanketing, and night check. Your equine partner will be well taken care of in our spacious stalls with wall-to-wall comfort matting, and multiple indoor hot and cold wash racks with fans. The Stables offers comforts for riders as well. Boarders enjoy a spacious rider’s lounge with two full baths, laundry, and a temperature-controlled tack room with individual storage. The riding options at New Bridge are endless. Preparing for upcoming show season? School in the jump arena or dressage arena, both built to superior standards with all-weather GGT footing. Looking for options outside the arena? Hack past lush pastures on horse-friendly roads, through serene woodlands on groomed riding paths, or leg up your horse on our shaded exercise track.
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For availability and pricing, contact Stables Manager Amanda Wilson at (803) 648-3699.
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Ready to call New Bridge home? Contact New Bridge Realty at 1-888-4NB-POLO to schedule a tour.
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NEW BRIDGE REALTY From cottage style bungalows, custom built homes and generously-sized home sites to expansive horse-friendly estates (from four to 40 acres), you’ll find the property that speaks to your lifestyle — and your heart.
GATHERING SPACES The clubhouse is the centerpiece of life at New Bridge. The rustic, colonial style gathering space is constructed of century-old wood that was shipped from Argentina and assembled onsite, bringing the history and atmosphere of the Argentine way of life to South Carolina. During polo season, it is the place for post-match cocktails and dinner with players and friends. Year-round, it is a unique special occasion rental facility available for weddings, receptions, parties, and meetings. To inquire about renting the clubhouse for your next event, contact Katie Roth at (803) 341-8800. A swimming pool with lounge area, a clay tennis court, and an “asado” (an Argentinian-style grill), are located near the clubhouse for residents to enjoy.
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Celebrating Life & Work at New Bridge By Katie Roth Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt If there is a person that epitomizes #newbridgelife, it could very well be JD Cooper. He lives here, plays polo here, and his company, Cooper Home & Stable, has built many of the homes in New Bridge Polo & Country Club. He is enjoying the life he has built here and has reason to celebrate. This year marks a special occasion as it is JD’s 40th year of playing polo. “I have a lot to be thankful for,” JD remarked. “Polo is an important part of my life and it is very special to be able to live and work in the club where I play.”
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to build where you live,” he said. “I’ve found that the people here are welcoming, kind, fair, and friendly. Past clients have even allowed me to show their houses to new clients I am building for,” said JD. Cooper Home & Stable has a long history with New Bridge, building the first spec house in 2014, and continuing with more spec homes over time. In 2017, JD was leasing a home in Aiken, which became unavailable, so he decided to buy one of the spec houses and call New Bridge home. “I was lucky to get into the neighborhood in the early stages,” said JD. Most builders focus on either home construction or barn construction, but Cooper Home & Stable’s projects run the gamut of new design and
JD Cooper, owner of Cooper Home & Stable, is well known for building custom homes and barns all over the Aiken area, including many at New Bridge Polo & Country Club. But many may not know that New Bridge is also the place he chooses to call home. Some may think that a builder would be uncomfortable or under too much pressure to hang his hat amongst the homes he has under construction, but it is the opposite for JD. “It is pretty wonderful
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custom-built homes, renovations of historic properties, and custom-built barns. “Barns go together differently than a residence,” said JD. “Although custom homes are my passion, I saw a unique need in Aiken to be able to offer the ability to build both homes and barns for my clients.” JD has a wealth of experience in the construction industry. His father was a developer, builder and real estate broker. Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, JD came up through the ranks by working on cleaning crews and framing crews. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Building Technology (an engineering/architecture hybrid), worked for his father for one year, then went out on his own. JD’s company became very successful, building high-end architectural design custom homes and an award-winning golf course and polo development, the Polo Fields Golf & Country Club in Louisville, KY. JD was raised in the suburbs of Louisville and his childhood home was next to the Rock Creek Riding Club. He took a few riding lessons on their Saddlebred horses, but did not care for it and did not pursue it. At that time, he may not have thought that horses would be a part of his life, but they would become a large part of both his life and his career. JD’s journey to become a polo player began when he met famed polo pony and racehorse trainer Nick Rennekamp. Nick and JD hit if off, quickly becoming friends and Nick invited JD
Shortly after, Nick took a job with a Thoroughbred breeder in Kentucky and started training racehorses. He invited JD to try his hand at playing polo in the arena at The Harmony Landing Country Club and he was hooked. JD transitioned to grass polo, playing low goal polo in Louisville at the Lexington Horse Park in the early 1980s. He started out with one horse and had to borrow a 2-horse trailer. He fondly remembers when he had finally accumulated a few horses and was able to buy his first steel, gooseneck trailer. JD played in the Mid States polo league, which was comprised of the Detroit, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville and Lexington areas. Polo was maturing in that area, giving him the opportunity to play in Pro Am matches when Lexington hosted the U.S. Open with greats such as Tommy Wayman and Bart Evans, former 8-goal player, who is in the National Museum of Polo Hall of Fame. JD recalls meeting a lot of people in the early days, including Bobby Donahey, the patron of the Derry Heir polo team, who would become a long-time friend. “Bobby brought me to Aiken in 1999 to play in one leg of the 16-goal Triple Crown of Polo with him, Ruben Gracida, and Roberto Gonzalez,” said JD. “I immediately loved Aiken and I never looked back.” JD decided to move from his beloved Kentucky to make Aiken his new home. In 2000, he planted new roots, purchasing a farm on Hatchaway Bridge and Hwy 302.
“I believe that Aiken is reaching its peak now, and it is even better now than it was in the early days. We have numerous fields to play on, there are lots of polo players — and the quality of the players and horses is very high,” to the U.S. Open at Retama in San Antonio, Texas in the early 1980’s when Nick worked for 9-goal player Benny Gutierrez and 10-goal player Tommy Wayman.
“I believe that Aiken is reaching its peak now, and it is even better now than it was in the early days. We have numerous fields to play on, there are lots of polo players — and the quality of the players and horses is very high,” said JD.
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No matter where JD is, you’ll find his sidekick, Boots, an Australian Cattle Dog. She was a gift from fellow polo player Eddy Martinez ten years ago. The spry Blue Heeler can always be found at JD’s side, whether he’s on the job site, the polo field, or his front porch.
“I don’t believe there is anything comparable to New Bridge,” said JD. “It has such a unique feel and style that is very appealing with the combination of a residential development and a polo club. The fields are the best in Aiken, and you would have to go to Florida to find anything even close to this,” said JD. When asked how he balances a thriving construction business and playing polo, JD is quick to give accolades to his groom, Rachel Cunningham. “I love my work, and it is critical for me to be able to count on others so that I can play polo,” he said. Rachel has been his groom for the past 20 years, off and on, and the last 12 years continuously. She runs the barn, provides excellent care and conditioning of the horses, and transports them to field for games. “It is very rare to find someone like Rachel and I am very fortunate,” he said. JD currently has seven playing horses and four retired horses. His favorite is China, an Argentine mare he purchased from Dardo Iglesias, that he usually plays in the sixth chukker. “It has been a great sport for me, and I will play for as long as I can,” said JD. The reasons why he plays have evolved over time. “It is obviously an adrenaline-fueled sport, and when you win, you are on a high for the next 24 hours,” he commented. “But, winning is not the only reason to play, I enjoy developing team strategies and continually learning techniques by playing with some very talented teammates. I like to try to play with everyone that I can, from established players to young talents that are coming up through the ranks,” said JD. JD is further solidifying his roots at New Bridge by remodeling an existing barn near field 4, where he will keep his horses. “I used to keep my horses a few miles from New Bridge, but now it will be nice to have both my home and barn within the same community,” he said. ■
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A
C D
E I G
B
F H
Photo by Katie Roth
POLO EQUIPMENT Players: Players are rated on a handicap system from -2 to 10; 10 being the best in the world. Players are not limited by gender or age. Polo Pony: Polo “ponies” are usually Thoroughbreds (14.2 to 16.2 hands) selected for their speed, agility, endurance and intelligence. Most players believe their polo pony accounts for up to 75% of their game.
B: Mallet Mallet lengths range from 49” to 54” to best fit a player’s swing and size of pony. They are constructed of bamboo cane with a tipa wood head. C: Roached Mane Manes are clipped to prevent them from getting tangled with the reins and out of the player’s face.
Polo Ball: The ball is 3” in diameter and made of hard, white plastic that dents after continuous hits.
D: Bridle Leather bridles are customized to fit each pony. The most common bits used in polo are the gag, snaffle and pelham.
A: Helmet Helmets are required equipment for protection against swinging mallets, flying balls and spills.
E: Draw Reins A second set of reins for better control extends from the girth, through the bridle to the rider’s hands.
F: Boots/Wraps: Used to protect the pony’s legs from the ball and mallet while providing additional support. G: Boots/Knee Pads Leather boots protect the rider and knee pads guard again injury in a “ride-off.” H: Shoes Give the pony better traction. I: Tied tail Tails are taped or tied to eliminate interference with the mallet. Pictured: Tommy Huber making it look easy on his favorite mare, Passion. New Bridge | 2021 | 29
USPA BRONZE TROPHY® 12 GOAL WINNERS: Hit Air
Jack Whitman, Justin Pimsner, Alan Martinez, Pelon Escapite MVP: Pelon Escapite | BPP: “Ruby” Pelon Escapite
Photos by Katie Roth
USPA NORTHRUP KNOX CUP® 12 GOAL
USPA NATIONAL COPPER CUP® 12 GOAL
WINNERS: SD Farms
WINNERS: Foxdale Equine Veterinary Services
Aiden Meeker, Trevor Niznik, Carlitos Gracida, Peco Polledo *Trevor Niznik played for Sayyu Dantata MVP: Peco Polledo | BPP: “Paragua” Peco Polledo
Nachi Viana, Adam Snow, Julian Daniels, Hugh Worsham MVP: Nachi Viana | BPP: “Paragua” Peco Polledo
USPA ASSOCIATION CUP 8 GOAL
COPA DE PLATA 8 GOAL
Hope Arellano, John Humphreys, Lucas Arelllano, Tommy Biddle MVP: Tommy Biddle | BPP: “Maleficent” Tommy Biddle
Jake Flournoy, Josh Escapite, Jason Wates, Eddy Martinez MVP: Josh Escapite | BPP: “Victoria” Marcos Onetto
USPA NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S CUP 8 GOAL
WINNERS: Cooper Home and Stable
WINNERS: Out East
WINNERS: Bottega
Joe Post, Nachi Viana, Adam Snow, Hope Arellano *Joe Post played for Frank Stitt MVP: Nachi Viana | BPP: “Cautiva” Nachi Viana
WINNERS: Upatoi Green
USPA MASTERS CUP 8 GOAL
JD Cooper, Tommy Huber, Trevor Niznik, Ruben Coscia MVP: Tommy Huber | BPP: “Baby India” Ruben Coscia
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Photos by Katie Roth
USPA GIRLS’ NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP (ARENA) WINNERS: Aiken Polo Club Sophie Grant, Summer Kneece, Reagan Leitner, Robyn Leitner
USPA REGIONAL PRESIDENT’S CUP 8 GOAL WINNERS: Peachtree
Randy Rizor, Hope Arellano, Marcos Onetto, Lucas Arellano MVP: Lucas Arellano BPP: “Mischevious” Matt Coppola
PETE BOSTWICK MEMORIAL 8 GOAL
TOMMY HITCHCOCK MEMORIAL 8 GOAL
Alison Patricelli, Winston Painter, Alan Martinez, Trevor Niznik MVP: Malia Bryan BPP: “M and M” Willie Hartnett
Alison Patricelli, Winston Painter, Alan Martinez, Trevor Niznik MVP: Alan Martinez BPP: “Cinco de Mayo” Hope Arellano
WINNERS: LBL
WINNERS: LBL
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At Cooper Home & Stable, in addition to being dedicated horsemen, we are also professional builders and can share your vision for the dream home/equestrian environment you desire. In Aiken, two hats are better than one and we are ready to show you why. Call today and let’s talk about taking your vision from dream to reality.
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J.D. Cooper
General Contractor Telephone 502.417.2307 www.cooperhs.com
THE 5TH ANNUAL
By Katie Roth Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt
Guests donned their best white attire and flocked to New Bridge Polo & Country Club for the return of the Chukkers of Hope White Party Polo Match on Friday, October 2, 2020. The event, held completely outdoors, proved to be a popular party option during the COVID 19 pandemic, and tickets to the clubhouse VIP area sold out prior to the event date. Organizers orchestrated a COVID-safe event by offering complimentary face masks, hand sanitizing stations, premium self-parking (no valet), outdoor seating throughout the clubhouse gardens (6 ft apart), and event staff dressed in safety gear to serve guests. As guests arrived, they browsed the impressive collection of horsepower courtesy of Car Cave USA and gathered on the white couches on the clubhouse lawn and nibbled on passed hors d’oeuvres. One of the evening’s highlights was the specialty cocktail, The Paloma Lane, which featured Calavera Tequila, an unreleased handcrafted tequila owned by New Bridge member Scott Silver. Guests were also invited to taste samples of Calavera’s three varieties, Añejo, Reposado and Blanco. The polo action began on championship field #1 as Guest of Honor Hannah Curry, Miss South Carolina USA, threw the ball in to start the highly competitive match in the prestigious USPA National Copper Cup® 12 Goal tournament. The two teams battled it out and scoring went back and forth, but SD Farms (Aiden Meeker, Trevor Niznik, Carlitos Gracida, Peco Polledo) inched past Hit Air (Jack Whitman, Justin Pimsner, Alan Martinez, Pelon Escapite) 12-11 for the win. MVP honors were awarded to Carlitos Gracida. The colorful sunset over the New Bridge clubhouse added to the ambiance of the evening. Guests bid on sought-after
items in the silent auction such as luxury vacations, a custom pen, Hit Air vest, jewelry, and clothes from U.S. Polo Assn. They dined on an authentic Argentine asado, prepared by Pancho Ramirez and Omar Viale, and danced to the live music of DJ Kenny Ray. The mission of the Chukkers of Hope White Party Polo Match is to bring awareness to important social causes through the sport of polo. The event supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and raised $32,000.■
Thank you to the following sponsors who made this event possible: Apollon Wealth, SIG, Calavera Tequila, Hull Barrett PC, Car Cave USA, SC Health, Jacobs Land Management, Kenny Ray Personal Fitness, Hit Air, Quill Investment Group, Iron Feather Creative, South State Bank.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | The dedicated people at St. Jude do great work to help prevent and find cures for diseases through research and treatment and at zero cost to patients. They also share their findings with organizations all over the world so “one child saved at St. Jude means thousands more saved worldwide.” Stjude.com New Bridge | 2021 | 37
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GAME TIME Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt and Katie Roth
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By Marianne Yost Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt
has been part of the Aiken culture for well over 100 years, Welcome to Aiken, South Carolina, the equine-centric town as the wealthy “Winter Colony” northerners created pocket where the love of horses has uniquely influenced architecture, size estates they built in friendly creating an unusual collection of proximity to each other, creating custom-built residences for horses the horsey neighborhood, now and their humans. Are the people She wanted one thing beyond all called the “Horse District”, living in barns? Or are the horses others. The perfect view from her with stabling for polo ponies, living in houses? In Aiken, both it racehorses, and fox hunters just a seems, as they often share a roof. kitchen window, which drove the short walk from their doorsteps, This mélange of equine-human architectural design of her new as well as the staff that cared for proximity fosters an unusual their four-legged friends. lifestyle that might be surprising to custom-built home. She had finally non-Aikenites, but it is de rigueur acquired her “dream horse,” and The governing bodies of the City in this town. of Aiken and Aiken County have now she would build her “dream long appreciated the positive In this town, it is not unusual for house” around that horse. The view influence of equestrian activities horses to poke their heads through from her window looks out to the on the local economies and have open stall doors into dinner created careful zoning to protect parties, or for black-tie banquets barn. As she makes her coffee or does the interests of those wanting to be held down the center aisles the dishes, there he is, his beautiful to live closely with their steeds, of barns. Aiken residents don’t just while balancing the needs of ride their horses and tuck them head hanging over his stall door, his “non-horsey” neighbors. into their stalls for the evening, kind eye looking right back at her. It they invite them along to the party. Those who choose to share a makes her smile to be able to see him, roof with their horses certainly Wellington, Florida and Hunt even while inside her home. don’t skimp on style. Often hunt Country, Middleburg, Virginia have boxes or large apartments here had their share of hunt boxes, or are modern and voguish, and groom’s quarters tucked into the one would never know there is a barn on the other side of recesses of farms and estate properties. But Aiken’s full the door. Many are more elaborate than fine homes. blown love affair of living in close proximity to their horses
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Horsepitality
The barns are part of the interior design plan along with the home, creating a seamless transition when you cross the threshold from one to the other. One couple has found this concept so much fun they have incorporated it into two different properties they have built over the years. In an equine oriented neighborhood, just outside downtown Aiken, resident Chris Powers and her husband Bob, have created a multi-purpose room that incorporates an elegant tack room, lounge and guest room. It’s chic, with a welcoming, high, fluffy bed, a gray chesterfield leather sofa, and a large equine portrait. However, the pièce 54 | 2021 | New Bridge
de résistance is her elegant horse Olive, who joins their guests when her specially designed window from her stall into the room slides open so she can poke her head into the festivities, normally to enjoy happy hour with her humans. Chris had the window ledge designed at “bar height” with a cocktail-friendly drink ledge so she could have a view down the length of the barn through her four horses’ stalls. When selling their previous farm, they learned that their similarly designed custom barn, with a sliding stall window that opened into a guest bedroom, was a key selling feature of that property. Chris’ design of that first barn was inspired by her miniature horse, Slick, who could perform tricks, so she incorporated him into the barn plan knowing he would be great
entertainment at parties. And, she was right — Slick was a showstopper. When building their second farm, and after losing a beloved sister too early to cancer, she wanted to feel the comfort of having her horses close. “The horses are beautiful, and seeing my horses graze out of every window of my house was immensely comforting.That’s why this house is designed so all of the windows have views of horses grazing. It gives me a sense of calm to be with them,” she said. When asked if her builder was surprised by the request to build the horses into the design, Chris answered, “Nah! It’s Aiken! The builders aren’t surprised at anything in Aiken!” ■
Horsepitality
What’s the attraction to living with our horses and why is it so comforting to be around them? Horses share a similar family structure, can communicate emotions and feel empathy, learn to trust, show stress, require social relationships to be healthy, and learn by observation. Not only do people have all of these traits, but they can also recognize them in horses, just as horses can read the same in humans.
Facing page, right: Jenna Weiner and Wilber; Above: Chris Powers, Olive and Petey. New Bridge | 2021 | 55
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803-649-2987
aikencountyfarmsupply.com 1933 Park Avenue Aiken, South Carolina 29801 Serving Aiken County’s Farm Owners for Over 50 Years
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By Marianne Yost
Holding the Spare
Like a knight’s page, she stands at the ready, a lone sentinel waiting on the sideline, a tacked horse at her side. Her eyes focused on one player on the field, actively engaged in competitive battle in the middle of a scrum of mallet-wielding men, in what has been described as the most dangerous team game in sports — polo. She waits for a signal from the rider — just eye contact. But between them, even from 100 yards apart, that signal is understood, for this is an especially close relationship. Suddenly, the rider spins and flies to where she stands. As she holds both horses steady, the rider springs from the back of one horse to the other, pivots, and tears back into the teeth of battle, with a fresh mount under her. She calls out a few encouraging words to the rider as she gallops away — as only a mother can do. For it was her 15-year old daughter, young polo phenomenon, Hope Arellano, sprinting back into the battle — and she, Meghan Arellano, was on the sidelines, “Holding her Spare”. Much has been written about parents who inhabit the back stages or sidelines of their children’s endeavors, sometimes pushing, but more often supporting their children in their pursuits. “Helicopter Parents,” “Tiger Moms,” “Stage Moms,” and “Soccer Dads” are the terms that come to mind. But in Aiken, “Polo Parents” are in a class of their own, for the complexity of the sport demands a level of parental support that is significantly more than a trip to the sporting goods store to buy a mouth guard, shin pads, and spikes. Unlike other sports, polo is also a lifestyle.
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for a son or daughter to play competitive polo and how do families deal with the challenges? For starters, having polo players in your family can give you a leg up, but not necessarily. Hope Arellano comes from three generations of polo with both grandfathers being respected players. Her father, Julio, a former 9-goal handicap and one of the top ranked American pros in the country, is now a respected coach. Hope and her brothers, Agustin and Lucas, grew up playing polo at an early age, even to the chagrin of their parents. There was a time when Hope’s parents desperately tried to get her interested in playing another sport, tennis. But tennis didn’t “take”. Polo was the only thing Hope wanted to play and play she has. Last winter, the stellar quality of Hope’s play earned her an invitation to play high goal polo on the most important polo field in the country — Field One at International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida.
New to the Sport
The Leitner family knew nothing about polo when their horse-crazed, twin daughters Reagan and Robyn won the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition in barrel racing (after watching YouTube videos to teach themselves). A visit to a polo match at Aiken’s Whitney Field would spark the twins’ interest in the sport and change the family’s life going forward. The fearless twins, though tiny in stature, would become a force to be reckoned with on the polo field, fiercely playing against men twice their size, and four times their age. Though they had no polo experience, their newly discovered passion for the sport — and their parents’ enthusiastic support — was recognized by the local Polo Parent community, where they were embraced. Jennifer Leitner, the twin’s mother, recalls the first year. “Everyone wanted to help!” Hearing they were playing at home on their Mustangs with broomsticks and beach balls, Gabriel Crespo (Aiken polo pro and parent) gave the girls polo mallets. “Tiger (Aiken Youth polo organizer Tiger Kneece) got them started slowly building their skills and confidence,” Jennifer said.
Sacrifice
Another young polo player whose family had no background in polo and learned the ropes in Aiken is Jack Whitman. Early on, Jack’s prodigious natural talent was recognized by Aiken-based, young player coach, Kylie Sheehan, and he
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was later mentored by polo pro Pelon Escapite. In support of him, Jack’s parents Keith and Michelle have organized their lives to allow their talented equestrian children (Jack’s sister shows horses) to succeed and develop at the top levels of play by adopting the nomadic equestrian lifestyle, renting seasonal homes where their children are playing or showing. The Whitmans’ investment in supporting their son’s passion has paid off. Last winter, at 16 years old, Jack Whitman played on the fabled Field One at International Polo Club in the prestigious, high goal C.V. Whitney Cup with his heroes, the best players in the world. Jack scored the winning goal in overtime to give his team the victory.
Clearly, Aiken has become a hot house of youth polo — and in turn, a hub of Polo Parenting. Tiger Kneece, Coach of Aiken Youth Polo, has developed several strong youth polo programs, both at the collegiate level and younger, that are constantly bringing new young players — and their parents into the sport. Tiger was born and raised in Aiken and was once a young American phenomenon in the sport with a 7-goal handicap. He now has a polo playing daughter, Summer, along with four other daughters. He and his wife Susie have been on both sides of the equation and actively help parents understand the commitment that it takes to make polo a family affair. More young players are on the polo fields in Aiken than ever before, and the new lighted arena at New Bridge Polo & Country Club has become a hub of the action.
An Uncommon Lifestyle
Not all Polo Parents’ kids play polo. At the higher levels of competition, polo is nomadic, with the USPA tournament schedules moving regionally with the seasons. In summer, play moves to cooler locales in horsey enclaves such as New York, Michigan and Wyoming. In fall and spring, it comes to Aiken, and winter sees it returning to Florida. The polo professionals and their families who live this lifestyle adjust in different ways to the positives and shortcomings of this uncommon life.
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The parents of three young boys, Tessa Callaghan Lord and Del Walton (Del is the son of polo pro Rob Walton) have made unique adjustments to their “here and there” life. Tessa said, “The sign-up time for all the summer team sports are booked up by the time we get back from Florida, so I got them into something they can still do and enjoy on their own.” Her boys take golf lessons three times a week at a course in Aiken. “They all can ride but we are not pushing them into polo,” she said.
Blessings
What’s the return on the sacrifice and effort of being a Polo Parent? Susie Kneece captured it in one elegant word — “Blessings!” she said. “Look at what we get to do. We work with families, kids, and beautiful horses. We spend our time outdoors every day. We are so blessed.”■
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What VALUES did parents say are important for polo to be a “Family Affair?” Commitment
Support
“Our kids knew, if you own a horse, you had to ride it, take care of it and love it. If you chose polo — it’s a commitment.You have to work and take care of that horse.” ~ Meghan Arellano
“That’s why I hold Hope’s spare. So she knows I’m there. I’m right there for her.” ~ Meghan Arellano
Determination “We have always said, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose. What matters is that you give it your best.” ~ Meghan Arellano
Preparation “And last and certainly not least is preparation. Preparation is EVERTHING. Waking up early, making the horse list, eating well, and if there is a morning game, having a good breakfast of eggs and bacon.” ~ Meghan Arellano
Dedication “My whole family had a large learning curve ahead when the girls started playing polo, and we all had to be committed to ‘learning the ropes’ together.” ~ Jennifer Leitner
Adaptability “Robyn and Reagan needed to adapt their skills as riders, from being barrel racers to polo players.” ~ Jennifer Leitner
Attitude “If you aren’t going to try to win, there’s no point in doing it. And lastly, but certainly not least, it’s got to be fun!” ~ Larry Leitner
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By
A seasoned wine professional, James Alford of Cork and Cap chronicles the history and popularity of Malbec. He introduces two lesser-known grapes that are up and coming superstars. His insight into this region will have you adding some new varieties to your list of favorites.
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Argentina’s Wine Story Argentina has one of the oldest wine-growing traditions in the New World, with its first vines being planted by various Spanish missionaries in the mid-1500s. In the decades following, leaders called upon international wine experts to help. A provincial governor, Domingo Sarmiento, instructed the French agronomist Miguel Aimé Pouget to bring grapevine cuttings from France to Argentina. Of the vines that Pouget brought were the very first Malbec vines to be planted in that country. Malbec would actually be a secondary player for the next few centuries, but of course today we know it as the grape that defines Argentine wine tradition. With a staggering array of European immigrants shaping their culture over half a millennium, Argentina has one of the more diverse populations in the Western hemisphere. Settlers from Spain have had the most obvious influence in terms of language and architecture; however, appreciable numbers of Italians, French, and German expats also made the voyage, bringing with them the flavors and sensibilities of their native lands. So then how did Malbec gain an almost monolithic prominence among Argentina’s wine exports? Mostly it was nature and money.
Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt
Malbec’s Rise to Fame Argentina’s Mendoza region is perfectly suited to grow the tightbunching, deeply colored clusters of Malbec first made famous in southwest France. Its high elevation and relatively arid climate mean the grapes achieve optimal ripeness (important for mitigating tannins), but also maintain critically important acidity, since the “diurnal shift” (i.e., difference between daytime high temperature and nightly low temperature) is dramatic in Mendoza, allowing the plants to sort of “shut down” sugar production at night. And although Malbec was a favored grape for much of Argentina’s winemaking history, it began to fall out of favor in the 1960s, as grapes such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon gained prominence in the international market.
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But Malbec would make a comeback, albeit through an arduous and circuitous route. The 1980s and ‘90s in Argentina were a time of massive economic upheaval and runaway inflation, and like most industries, wine took a beating.
Though many vineyards had decades prior ripped up their Malbec vines for the seemingly more commercially viable Cab, Chard, and Merlot, savvy winemakers were beginning to see that in an international market awash with these preferred varieties, Argentina could set itself apart with a grape that had anchored their industry before. Malbec plantings increased, becoming the most-planted variety by the end of the 1990s. By the early 2000s, high-profile wine critics were lauding these reinvented Malbecs, and assigning “sleeping giant” status to the Argentine wine industry. And so — the wheels began grinding in a seemingly unstoppable machine that churned out oceans of deeply flavored, opaque purple Malbec. Even through the early 2010s, it seemed like the party would never end. Malbec was a surefire crowd pleaser, and due to exchange rates that remained favorable even after Argentina’s recovery, Americans could avail themselves of these wines for a fraction of what they might pay for similar efforts out of Napa, Bordeaux, or Tuscany. Nevertheless, as wine professionals from more recent generations begin to take the helm at important restaurants and retailers, there are signs that demand for Malbec — or at least the sheer volume of Malbec that was being imported — has begun to flag. Gen X and millennial sommeliers are actively seeking out lesser-known varieties in the search for new flavor experiences. It would seem to make sense: as globalism puts an array of culinary experiences within easy access, beverage professionals will surely look towards wines, beers, and spirits that pair favorably with these exciting new flavors. Thankfully, Argentina has much more than Malbec to bring to the table. There are two grapes that are just beginning to regain a bit of visibility among Argentine exports. New Bridge | 2021 | 73
Tasting Notes: Notes of rose petal, rooibos tea, and wild cherry, and the palate has just a hint of tannin, juicy cherry and cranberry, with a crisp, tart finish. Enjoy this with a slight chill on taco night, or with thinly sliced cold cuts or carpaccio of beef and/or tomatoes.
Hola Criolla Chica For roughly the first 300 years after Europeans planted the first wine grapes, a grape called Criolla Chica accounted for the bulk of Argentine wine production. Known as Pais in neighboring Chile, and as Mission in California, this thin-skinned, lightly colored, and vigorously producing grape was perfect for the needs of missionaries and farmers who valued yield and durability among their crops. It was also a good choice for distillation, and various brandies across South America still employ it as such. And while it has long since fallen from the list of most widely-planted grapes in Argentina, it nonetheless maintains relevance among a vocal subset of Argentine winemakers. Moreover, it has become a bit of a starlet among younger winegrowers in Chile and California seeking to hew towards the recent trend of lighter-bodied, lower alcohol reds. Criolla Chica is most at home in Argentina’s higher elevations, such as the Valle de Calingasta. It produces wonderfully aromatic, if very lightly colored, reds that can fit many pairing situations where a heavier, oakier red would be clunky and overbearing. The best modern producer to be found in the American market is Cara Sur ($25), but others can be sought out, especially within Argentina itself.
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Tasting Notes: Expressive aroma of red fruits, such us red currants, raspberries and strawberries, subtly followed by hints of minerality, forest floor, and floral notes with hints of spice and cocoa. Being lighter in body and higher in acidity than many other red wines, pair with something like bruschetta, roast chicken, or a vegetarian pizza.
Patagonia’s Pinot Noir Familiar to most anyone reading this article is the hallowed Pinot Noir grape. Responsible for the most expensive red wines and the most expensive Champagnes in the world, this red-berried, highly finicky vine is perhaps the most prized in the winegrowing world. But until recently, Pinot Noir from South America was viewed as a novelty, or at worst a cynical attempt at local growers trying to cash in on the international craze. Far to the contrary, however, Argentina contains some of the best Pinot-growing terroir in the world, especially in the region of Patagonia. With long daylight hours during the growing season, but an all-important temperate climate governed by the colder reaches of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Patagonia provides all the elements for crafting Pinots not at all unlike the celebrated efforts from Willamette Valley in Oregon. Lower alcohol and livelier acidity make these ideal wines for the table. But their full, sunny flavors make them sure to please anyone identifying as a fan of Pinot in general. Argentine Pinot Noir is easier to access than one might expect, though you may have to ask your favorite store or restaurant to start stocking it. But even in a smaller market like South Carolina, numerous distributors import Argentine Pinot. Look for producers like Alto Limay and Wapisa and expand your Pinot Noir experience. While it remains doubtful that Malbec will be unseated as king of Argentine wine anytime soon, there remains a host of other wines offering a lens on this beautiful landscape. Visit your favorite local bottle shop and tell them you want to dig deeper into this fascinating and historic wine region. Salut! ■ James Alford is the Owner/Operator of Cork and Cap, downtown Aiken’s neighborhood bottle shoppe, specializing in wine, craft beer, fine provisions to go, and weekly wine tastings in their garden. 146 Laurens St NW (the Yellow Cottage) / shopcorkandcap.com
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CUST
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available in downtown Aiken
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By Katie Roth | Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt
Adrianne Till and Isa Schatz are not only friends, they are artisans who have followed their dreams to create beautiful, handmade pieces of art. Their friendship began Florida six years ago when Isa was helping Adrianne at the same time that she was starting her own business. Both women share a passion for using raw, natural materials to construct their items by hand. Their products are different, but they complement each other and style well together. Although they no longer live in the same place, Adrianne and Isa keep in touch often and share the nuances of owning their own businesses. Over the years, their friendship and their businesses have blossomed.
FEATURING GYPSY BELT CO. AND JESUSA ACCESSORIES Left to Right, Top to Botom: Kenya Bracelet, made with leather, puka shells and an antique Afghanistan coin, and Española Bracelet, made with leather lace and Ethiopian silver beads; Adrianne’s collection of vintage belt buckles; Adrianne is wearing a Pendleton Harding Long Cardigan from Equine Divine, paired with a Chickabiddy crossbody. Isa is wearing a 100% black linen dress and leather vest from @carolitahome, paired with a Kenya necklace, made of natural stone beads, leather, and antique Afghanistan coins. She is carrying a Nikki bag in worn saddle leather.
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GYPSY BELT CO. Gypsy Belt Co. was born out of Adrianne’s love of vintage belt buckles. She has always searched thrift shops and garage sales to collect them. She began by making herself a leather belt for one of her favorite buckles. Her friends noticed, and soon she was making belts for them. Belts turned into leather cuff bracelets, then a clutch. Soon, Adrianne was setting up at trunk shows in Wellington, Florida during polo season, selling her bags. She couldn’t think of a name for her business, so she jokingly called it Gypsy Belt Co. because she is a Stevie Nicks fan, and the name stuck. Adrianne’s one-of-a-kind bags and stylish designs are not only beautiful, they are functional. The bags are leather, such as bison or cowhide, and hand sewn by Adrianne. There are a variety of bags in different sizes and styles, from her most popular Large Signature Tote to the Nikki, Heritage, Renegade, Texhoma, Hobo and newest CC and Chickabiddy. Eye-catching, finishing details may include a mohair cinch strap, a tooled design strap, fringe or twisted fringe, a sterling or turquoise button or a spur rowel accent. These details make each bag unique. Gypsy Belt bags are pieces of custom handmade art — all constructed by Adrianne’s skilled hands. They can be purchased via Instagram, @gypsybeltco or you can find them locally in downtown Aiken at Equine Divine at 126 Laurens St. SW. Left to Right: Cowhide LeighAnn shoulder bag with repurposed Western breast collar strap; Adrianne tooling leather for a bag strap; Adrianne is wearing a capri button-down shirt in Desert Horizon Stripes by Bella Dahl from Equine Divine. Beside her are Nikki bags and smaller Pinto bags.
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JESUSA ACCESSORIES Isa started Jesusa with her friend Lu in Argentina in 2015. A school design project about the native Indians from South Argentina inspired her to design accessories that represented different ethnic cultures from all over the world. Jesusa offers products which also preserve the craftsmanship of ethnic cultures. Browsing their necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bags, sweaters, and dresses is like taking a trip around the world. Their jewelry is made from ancient coins from Afghanistan, natural stones from Argentina, beads and leather from Africa, and silver from Ethiopia. Exceptional, hand knitted, 100% wool sweaters are a favorite, and sell out quickly. “Hecho a mano”, or handmade, is Jesusa’s tagline. Each piece is unique and handmade in the traditional way. Jesusa Accessories can be purchased on their website, jesusaaccesorios.com.ar, at selected trunk shows in the United States, or at the Carolita Home showroom in Nuñez, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Follow them on Instragram at @ jesusaaccesorios.
Left to Right: A collection of Jesusa Accessories favorites; Kenia necklace (left) made with mixed African bone beads, vintage coins, and puka shells, and horn necklace (right); Kaylin is wearing a white flowy button-down shirt by Bella Dahl from Equine Divine, and an Ethiopia necklace made with African silver beads, paired with the Coin necklace, made with antique Afghanistan coins and leather lace.
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Left to Right: Isa and Adrianne (pictured with Isa’s daughter Aurora) find time in their busy schedules to visit as often as they can. Gypsy Belt bags (left to right); the Nikki and the small Signature Tote; Isa is wearing handmade bronze Frasian earrings, a Ruda bead necklace of handmade beading and leather lace, and a Carmela bracelet, made of leather and silver nickel.
Gypsy Belt Co / @gypsybeltco Jesusa / @jesusaaccesorios Equine Divine / 126 Laurens St SW / equinedivineonline.com Thank you to our models: Adrianne Till, Isa Schatz and Kaylin Bender.
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PONIES OF NEW BRIDGE • FEATURING THE ORCHARD HILL POLO TEAM
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Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt Styling by Maya Stratemann & Katie Roth
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Civeta is a 13-year old mare from El Pegual breeding. She played 30-goal tournaments in Argentina with Lucas Criado, and 22 and 26-goal tournaments in Florida with Lucas Criado and Polito Pieres.
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Easy Girl is a 12-year old Argentine mare from Ellerstina. She played with Facundo Pieres in the Argentine Open, and 22 and 26-goal polo with Facundo in the United States. Easy Girl was awarded Best Playing Pony in both the 2015 C.V. Whitney Cup and the 2016 USPA Gold Cup.
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Maracuya is an 8-year old Argentine mare from El Pegual breeding. She has played 22-goal tournaments in Argentina and the Pacific Coast Open in Santa Barbara, California.
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Turca is an 8-year old American Thoroughbred mare. She has played numerous 8 and 14-goal tournaments in the United States.
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Ventaja is a 12-year old Argentine mare from Ellerstina. She played in the Argentine Open with Gonzalito Pieres and 22 and 26-goal tournaments in Florida.
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Queca is an 8-year old Argentine mare from El Pegual breeding. She has played 22-goal tournaments in Argentina and the Pacific Coast Open in Santa Barbara, California.
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J Lo is a 12-year old American Thoroughbred. She has played 8 to 26-goal polo in the United States.
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Darling is an 11-year old American Thoroughbred. She has played 8 to 26-goal polo in the United States.
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By Katie Roth Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt Styling by Karin Jeffcoat, Côte Designs The popular trend of having small, outdoor gatherings continues to be front and center in today’s society. After more than a year’s worth of drive-by, virtual, and socially distanced social events, people are craving cozy, intimate parties, where they can indulge in conversation and reconnect, celebrating the life they are returning to and have missed so dearly. Now more than ever, people treasure togetherness, so events have become more personal. Even if the guest list is smaller, the party can still be elegant and incredibly chic.
THE OUTDOORS IS STILL IN Throwing a stylish party does not necessarily mean you need a high-end venue. In fact, the trend to steer away from commercialized venues that have restrictions in favor of organic spots like backyards and parks creates a more personalized experience. The casita at the end of polo field #1 at New Bridge Polo & Country Club is normally where a polo team takes a break and strategizes during halftime of a game, but here it doubles as an unexpected elegant party spot, providing shade and a beautiful, sweeping 360-degree view. The sturdy and artful Caleb Gathering Table, made of distressed pine, becomes the centerpiece of the evening’s festivities. Placed in the middle of the casita, it leaves plenty of room for guests to mingle around the table and, because it is counter height, it provides a relaxed atmosphere that does not require seating.
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THE FESTIVE GRAZING TABLE Say goodbye to the individual charcuterie cups and boxes — intimate gatherings with family or good friends are allowing guests to have fun with their food again. Upon arriving, guests are treated to a feast for the eyes — and the palate. The “grazing table” is a tablescape filled with artfully arranged meats, cheeses, crudité, seasonal fruit, flowers, and serving utensils and dishes. It’s a relaxed way for guests to casually mingle over drinks and bites. Creamy, hard, crumbly, and aged cheeses, different types of cured meats, nuts, dipping vegetables, dips, and a mix of hard and soft fruits in bite-sized pieces allow everyone to eat a variety of items. An array of crackers, breadsticks, condiments, and preserves round out the offerings. When all is said and done, the table is covered in a visually striking rainbow of color; in fact, you can’t even see the table! The hit of this party was the unusual maître d’, Kate. The sassy black burro served baguettes from her baskets, but ultimately decided to shirk her duties and join in on the party and sample some of the bites from the table for herself. Who can blame her?■
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(803) 642-5166 Holly M. Spencer hollymacspencer@aol.com Offering Quality Repairs and Custom Alterations to your Tack and Horse Clothing • Dressage boot zippers installed & replaced (black metal zippers)
• Saddles reflocked (100% wool flocking) • Billets replaced: Dressage (long) or standard (short) • Knee rolls restuffed, recovered & replace • Seats replaced and repaired • Bridles repaired and altered to fit • Custom dressage reins - call for details New Bridge | 2021 | 115
Veterinary care and pet boarding for your family 1181 Banks Mill Road Aiken, SC 29803 (803) 648-4401 aikenanimalhospital.com We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet.
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© Shelly Marshall Schmidt
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Orchard Hill Polo Team’s Queca
CREDITS: Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Supplemental photos by Katie Roth Layout: Jaime Johnson Designs Proofreading: Janet DePrince “New Bridge, Room to Play, Ride, Live” Story: Katie Roth Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Featuring: Orchard Hill Polo Team, Hope Arellano, Matt Coppola, Willie Hartnett, Catherine Brassard “Celebrating Life & Work at New Bridge” Story: Katie Roth Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Featuring: JD Cooper “Chukkers of Hope” Story: Katie Roth Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions “Game Time” Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions and Katie Roth “Horsepitality” Story: Marianne Yost Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions “Polo, A Family Affair” Story: Marianne Yost Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Supplemental photos by Katie Roth
“Beyond Malbec, The Other Argentina” Story: James Alford Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions “Clothes Horse” Story: Katie Roth Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Featuring: Gypsy Belt Co., Jesusa Accessories Models: Adrianne Till, Isa Schatz, Kaylin Bender “Las Modelos” Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Styling: Maya Stratemann and Katie Roth Horses: The Orchard Hill Polo Team: Civeta, Easy Girl, Maracuya, Turca,Ventaja, Queca, J Lo, and Darling “The Gathering Table” Story: Katie Roth Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Styling: Karin Jeffcoat, Cotê Designs Models: Wesley Bryan, Charlie Caldwell, Anna Claire Smith, Katelyn Smith, Kennedy Smith, Maya Stratemann, and Kate the Black Burro “Ride Off” Story: Katie Roth Photography: Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions Featuring Ruben and Bear Coscia on Sorpresa
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 3 Monkeys....................................................................76 AgSouth Farm Credit.................................................. 7 Aiken Animal Hospital............................................ 116 Aiken Audiology.........................................................77 Aiken County Farm Supply......................................61 Aiken Equine Veterinary Associates.................... 115 Aiken Land Conservancy.........................................38
Aiken Regional Medical Center.........................20
Aiken Saddlery............................................................56 Aiken Veterinary Clinic.......................................... 115 Artistically Designed by D.......................................76 Banks Mill Feeds ........................................................59 Bespoke Fine Interiors..............................................22 Black Burro Events ................................................ 114 Broken Taco Polo.................................................... 106 Brooke USA............................................................. 118 Brown Luxury Estate Homes..................................58 Carolina Real Estate Company...............................39 Center For Dentistry................................................69
Chukkers of Hope................................................90
Cooper Home & Stable............................................34 Cooper Motor Company.........................................50 Cork And Cap.............................................................57 Cote Designs........................................................... 108
Debbie Roland, Coldwell Banker............................27 Dollamor Farm...........................................................91 Donnie Shaffer Homes............................................BC Downtown Dog...................................................... 116 E3 Life Coach..............................................................27 Enviroscape..................................................................34 Epona............................................................................76 Equine Divine....................................................... 57, 78 Estrella Equine.......................................................... 115 Fencing Solutions..................................................... 107 Floyd & Green Fine Jewelers..................................... 4 Gold Wowie CBD........................................................ 9 Gypsy Belt Co.............................................................88 Hairknowlogy..............................................................77 Jack Roth, Carolina Real Estate Co......................IFC
Jesusa Accessories.................................................88
La Parisienne...............................................................78 Lionel Smith, LTD........................................................79 Menagerie................................................................. 117 Merrill Lynch, Jamin King..........................................58 Mike Hosang, Carolina Real Estate Co............... 107 Nandina........................................................................51 Pedego Electric Bikes................................................40 Pony Express............................................................ 124
Ranco Rentals.............................................................90 Rock Creek Irrigation & Landscape.................... 114 Ronnie’s Hitches and Trailers...................................91 Sharer Dale, Keller Williams Realty..................... IBC Shelly Marshall Schmidt.............................38, 56, 122 Shoemaker Irrigation.........................................28,118 Southern Equine Service..........................................89 SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare....... 120 Stories and Stills.........................................................60 The Aiken Inn Collection.........................................68 The Pro Shop at New Bridge Polo Club..............39 The Saddle Doctor................................................. 115 The Tackeria............................................................. 119 The Willcox................................................................... 2 The Wills Agency, Nationwide.............................. 106 United Real Estate, Brenda Daly.......................... 117 United States Polo Association...............................35 US Polo Assn................................................................. 8 White Rose Eclectics............................................. 107 Wild Walks at Whisper Farm..................................68 Wolf Construction ..................................................... 6 Women Beyond Cancer...........................................60 Yogilosphy................................................................. 107
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“Dad is, and always will be, my living, breathing superhero.” - Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin
Ruben Coscia and his son Bear on Sorpresa