Lellie Ward posted to her blog, "Adventures in Paradise," this past Sunday that she had been ousted as Joint Master of the Aiken Hounds and banned from hunting with the Aiken Hounds. She is unaware why this has occurred.

Darley of America has recently closed a deal purchasing 360 acres of land near Montmorenci for the development of a thoroughbred training facility. The facility will include a one mile dirt track, train 130 horses and employ 50 people. This will be a significant expansion of Darley's current Aiken operations, which are located near the Aiken Training Track. The new facility will be located approximately six miles from the Aiken Training Track.

Shawna Harding and Come On III posted a score of 72.5% this past Friday in the Intermediate 1 Open at ESP's Wellington Dressage. The Wellington Dressage is the first of three competitions in the CN Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

In a match which remained tied or within one point throughout most of the match, Tres Hijas was able to pull ahead of New Bridge at the end of the fifth chukker, making the score 9 to 8. During the sixth chukker, Tres Hijas was able to score additional goals, bringing their total to 11; while New Bridge was only able to score one additional goal, bringing their total to 9. The match ended with Tres Hijas victorious, having 11 goals and New Bridge defeated with only 9 goals.

I forgot to bring my camera with me, so I apologize for not having any pictures.

After being thrown from his pony in the second chukker of the match on Sunday, September 9th, Magrini struck his pony with his mallet. This prompted his ejection from the match for "unsportsmanlike conduct." During a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, September 11th, Magrini was fine $5000 and placed on probation for violation of USPA Rule 27B which concerns "rough and abusive play." Magrini must pay the $5000 to Equine Rescue of Aiken.

The month of September will be one big celebration for the Aiken Polo Club, who will be celebrating their 125th year of polo. According to Charlie Bostwick, President of the Aiken Polo Club, there will be a parade on the 29th, a black tie ball, parties and naturally a great deal of polo.