Hi All
I’m in Colorado, where it is currently snowing! I’m looking to spend 3 months next winter (2022) in either Aiken or Ocala. I have 2 hunters…want to show a bit, take lessons, clinic and have fun. Ideally I’d like to be in a barn with a trainer, and full care…but I’m flexible. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Warmer in Ocala and more trainer options. Aiken has gotten expensive and the weather is hit or miss Dec thru March.
From what I’ve heard, your options would be very limited for hunter trainers and shows in Aiken.
Lots of options in Ocala.
Actually, no shortage of H/J shows in Aiken throughout the winter between Bruce’s Field and Highfields. But some of the Aiken trainers will still divide their time and head south to show in Florida, so the OP would have to ask how they spend the winter months. I love Aiken, but Ocala is going to be warmer and there will be a lot of trainers to choose from and you have WEC and HITS going on, so overall I’d choose Ocala for the winter.
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I took my hunter down from Colorado to Ocala. Best use of money. 3 months in the sun, while my husband is home in CO shoveling. Housing isn’t cheap, but you can find RV rentals. Shipping will cost you about $2k per horse, plus any layover costs.
If the costs are too much, you can also look at Gulfport as an option. That’s a bit closer, not nearly as competitive, and only about a month and half’s worth of shows.
If you want a breakdown of what it’s costing me per month, just PM me.
If you are going for a more lowkey time, Aiken is fantastic. Highfields provides opportunities to compete in great footing with fun courses, and while I do the jumpers, the hunter rings look just as good. As someone mentioned, Bruce’s Field is also wonderful; they have weekly schooling opportunities in a show-like atmosphere. You can hack out in Hitchcock Woods, and there are always a wide range of horse and non-horse events happening.
Aiken is a lot of fun, and definitely cheaper than FL. Since I started going there five or six years ago for a late winter/early spring Vacaiken the H/J offerings and crowd have both expanded. I ride with eventers and I’ve gotten a lot of out-of-the-ring experience going down with them, which has been invaluable to both me and my jumper. There are tons of really good people to clinic with and it’s overall just a super horsey atmosphere.
ETA: I couldn’t go this year due to COVID and other things, but my plan next year is to hit Tryon and do one of their shows on the way back up to the Mid-Atlantic.
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Would love more details about who you’ve ridden with in Aiken - I did similar last year in Southern Pines - but would consider Aiken if it’s a better fit. Also appreciate the low key atmosphere over the show-centric scene in Florida. My vet goes to Aiken and had told me I should make the switch too 
I’d look at Crossfields for boarding and training.
awaywego: I ride with eventers so I generally go down with one of my trainers (Morgan Connelly, an eventer) and in the past my other one, Packy McGaughan, would come down, too. He passed away last year.
HOWEVER, my friends from whom I bought my jumper while they were still in Argentina, Martin and Rachel Videla, of Rancho Pampa, relocated to Aiken a few years ago. Martin is a fantastic rider and trainer and they show year 'round there. I always ride with him when I’m there, and he’s been really, really useful at shows. They have a nice property there with a very nice outdoor ring and a full training program, and are in the process of building their farm. They are both wonderful people and really fun. 
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Thank you! Your description of the overall scene there is really exactly what I enjoy.
(sorry if I hijacked or derailed the thread!)
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Ann Thal is in Aiken. Principled, extensively diverse background and a joy to work with.
Ann isn’t in Aiken anymore - she is wonderful though!
Waves - I’m Rachel from Rancho Pampa (thanks foursocks!)
I LOVE Aiken (we’ve been here since 2017) and there is a very, very active show circuit here in the winter. We’ve had one weekend off basically since January. However, the shows are much smaller than Ocala (and correspondingly much less expensive if that’s a factor;) . It’s generally pretty low key - big H/J circuit will start in April and May but plenty of options. We have lots of rated, there is schooling (jumper and hunter) every Tuesday at Bruces and then there are also some C shows. It’s a great place to get mileage in a less expensive manner.
Weather is hit or miss though. Sometimes we have gorgeous weather - this past winter has been really cold/wet which hasn’t been fun 
But generally it’s okay.
Some of the trainers here go to Ocala for the winter - we’re here full time and we only do full care so certainly feel free to reach out next year (no idea if we’ll have stalls available or not). I will say that winter season is VERY busy here so definitely don’t wait to last minute if you decide on Aiken.
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Thanks! I will definitely give more thought to Aiken for next winter - it is a bit more of a drive than I would prefer to do going back and forth but it really sounds like a great fit otherwise. I will reach out if/when I can make a trip to scope things out.
Ann IS back in Aiken due to her wife having a health issue. Take advantage of her while you can!!!
