VIEWS from the WOODS Aiken Horse Show Assures Excitement for All By Melanie Metts, intern, USCA

Vol. 6, No. 2 Winter 2013

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Randolph A. Wolcott Chairman

I. Lehr Brisbin, Ph.D. Larry E. Byers Courtney W. Conger Patricia E. Corey Photo Credit: Tom Bossard Kent T. Cubbage, Ph.D. The 97th annual Aiken Horse Show promises to Nancy C. Francis The 2013 Aiken Horse Show recognizes the be a treat for both regulars and newcomers. The AHS late Mrs. Elizabeth “Sister” Bird as well as the late Patricia S. Goodyear Committee is working hard to make the show fresh Mr. Stephen Groat as Honorary Chairmen. “Sister William M. Hitchcock and exciting while still holding on to the traditional Bird was a longtime supporter of the Aiken Horse aspects of the show. Changes have been made to the Show as well as the Hitchcock Woods Foundation,” Gail B. King Aiken Horse Show’s prize list to encourage more said Gail King, Show Director of the Aiken Horse Lucy M. Knowles exhibitors to participate, including: Show. “She was a woman of immense charm and • The three Foxhunter Divisions will require the Linda Knox McLean style. She loved everything about Aiken, especially rider and horse to have participated in only four the Woods.” W. Greg Paschal hunts rather than six hunts as in previous years. This While attending Aiken Prep School, Stephen Scott D. Riviere will encourage more riders to show and increase the Groat rode in the Aiken Horse Show. He also served numbers in each class. as a Master of the Aiken Hounds. His support of the Harry E. Shealy, Jr., Ph.D. • There will be a $500 Aiken Horse Show Junior Foundation was greatly appreciated. Timothy W. Simmons Hunter Stakes and a $500 Aiken Horse Show Junior The judge for the 2013 Aiken Horse Show is Foxhunter Stakes this year. In past years, the Junior Paul K. Simons Claudia Rohland of Atlanta. Claudia was highly Horse / Pony Hunter and the Junior Foxhunter recommended by last year’s judge, Susie Schoellkopf. Sara S. Wood divisions would compete against one another in the Matt Collins will be the Competition Director and Stakes Class. Now junior riders can compete against the Sidesaddle Judge for the show. Randy Wolcott, only those in their division for the stakes. Chairman of the Board, said that “Matt is a very • Historically the four competitors in both the knowledgeable and experienced judge who has great STAFF Under Saddle and Over Fences classes would ideas for the course this year.” compete in the Stakes Classes. Now only the top six Lunch will be held on Saturday as opposed to a Douglas E. Rabold riders in the Over Fences classes will be invited to Hunt Breakfast. For admission information, please Executive Director compete in the Stakes Classes. contact the Foundation office at (803) 642-0528. • There also will be a Best Turned Out Junior For detailed information about the Aiken Horse W. Bennett Tucker Foxhunter awarded in this year’s show. Show please visit AikenHorseShow.org. Woods Superintendent Platinum Sponsors Christine M. Reichel Gold Sponsors Administrator

Eric J. Grande COURTNEY CONGER Woods Technician LISA &MIKE HOSANG Silver Sponsors (803) 642-0528 hitchcockwoods.org Listed below are only the names of Business Partners and Friends of the Woods who have joined or renewed between 11/8/12 and 2/22/13. The complete list of all current Partners and Friends is published once a year in the Annual Report.

BUSINESS PARTNERS David and Laura Callahan* James F. and Susan M. Hodges# Peter and Lynn Sampson Tommy and Janie Carey Tracey E. Hoel* Joan A. Schisler $1,000 Level Lynn F. Carter# Ferrell Holley* Irene Berzak Schoen Aiken Saddlery & Supply Inc. Pam Charters Charlotte and Jim Holly# Mackey and Wanda Scott All Star Rents Charlotte Chatto and Bill Maroni Jane Hostetter* Patrick and Therese Scott# Cold Creek Nurseries Randy and Charlotte Collins Ginny Howard Danielle Sertick Equus Events Caleb and Faris Connor Carl and Marlene Huffman Dr. and Mrs. Harry E. Shealy, Jr.# Hodges Badge Company, Inc. Kenneth and Amy Connor Diana F. Hunt# Wilton and Lynn Shinall* Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt - Meybohm Realtors Alan and Pat Corey# Drs. Douglas Hunter and Martine Duff# Mike and Kathy Shortsleeve The Willcox# Rossie Corwon Robert K. Johnson Paul and Elizabeth Smith# Bob and Vickie Cunningham# Bonny Kania* Deborah J. Snyder $500 Level Mike Cutshall* Dean and Judy Keaton Sober, Shauna L. Suzy Haslup, Meybohm Realtors L. Wayne and Judy K. Day# Andrew and Gray King# Sandra Solka International Ventures, Ltd.#1 Thomas De Mange Kyle Kipnis# Susan Sorenyi-Sander Matchless Art and Design Bill and Susan Depaola Scot and Christy Kraeuter# Steven and Sarah T. Security Federal Bank#1 Margaret Dinan* Kurt Krucke and Clare Buchanan# Gary and Helen Stapleton Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. DiStefano# Polly Kummel* Marjorie Steiner* $250 Level Marquerite Dorger Mike and Anne Laver Robert A. and Patricia D. Stokes Bridles & Britches2 Barry Doss* Rhonda Laverghetta Robert and Judi Storey# The Carolina Real Estate Company#2 Mr. and Mrs. John Dunbar* Mr. Elliott Levy and Dr. Marlene Groman Barbara and John Strack Dinner Bell# Andrew Dyer and Kristen Clark* Christopher T. Linen# Mr. and Mrs. John C. Stupples Equestrian Calendar Aiken.com Gregory L. and Stefanie S. Eaves Martha Lockhart* Rachel Taylor* Gillam & Associates Brian and Beth Eberhard Robert E. Lofgren, DMD Richard and Betty Thomason Hull Barrett, P.C.3 Claire H. Edenborg Betsy and Mark Mahoney Jane Page and Mark Thompson# Three Runs Plantation John and Mo (Maureen) Empie# Mr. and Mrs. John H. McCall* Margaret Tribert* Edward Eno Larry and Mary McCormack* Jim and Laurie Underwood# $100 Level Caryn Etherington# Richard and Nancy McCormick Toni Urben AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA3 Tom and Shelly Farmer John and Leslie McCowan* Michael R. Van Every and Elizabeth Campbell# The Aiken Horse* Robert and Katherine Ferris Flo McElmurray Rick and Lori Vaught Allstate, Tom Young Paul T. and Katherine Fisher# Jim and Vicki McNair# T J Voss and Charmaine E. Wilson Atlantic Broadband3 William A. and Martha B. Foss Mary R. Merrill Evelyn K. Vought Michael J. Costigan, Sr., CPA, LLC Nancy C. Francis# R. Woodward Millen# Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Wade# Double L Farm Jeff and Angie Galan* Donald Miller Joseph and Melissa Walker* Stephany Hitchcock, Gemologist3 Ron and Carol Garrett# John W. and Lisa S. Mitchell Sara P. Wampole# Howell Printing Company#3 James B. and Trudy A. Gaughran Bob and Kay Moody# Betsey and Bernie Warren J.E. Stewart Builders, Inc.# James M. Gaver# Barbara Morgan and Fred Andrea Paul and Terry Weinle# Jack Roth, Carolina Real Estate Company* Edward and Leslie Giobbe# Lynn Mullins Steven and Nancy Westland* Whiskey Road Foxhounds Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Godard John A. Murphy Michael and Deborah Wetzel WJBF News Channel 6* Laura Graham* Frank and Shirlee Musick Kendall Wheeler Eric Grande* Kim Etherington Myers Deanna Whitfield# FRIENDS OF THE WOODS Jimmy and Pam Graves* C. Rodney O'Connor Ann Wicander and Joseph Vaillancourt Dr. and Mrs. Robert Alexander# Stephen and Cynthia Greene Tom and Mary Ann Parmelee# Dr. Charlotte and Boyd Wiedenman# Ms. Dione Appleton# Mr. and Mrs. Doug Groft John and Carole Paveglio# Kenny and Mimi Wiland Annabelle Axinn and Stephen Halliwell* Dr. and Mrs. John Haddon Thomas E. Payne* Ann Willbrand# Drs. Baxt# Guy and Sandie Haff Mr. and Mrs. Julian L. Peabody# Kat, Brock and Annie Williams* Brent Becker* Mrs. John T. Hamilton III# Sandy Perkins Bud and Georgia Williams* Henry Bell* Nell Hamlen Anne Poole* Polly and Gabriella Williams Michael and Diana Bickford Mr. and Mrs. James E. Hammond# Ziggy Poplin Will and Ellen Williams* Patrick and Theresa Blewett George and Lisa Handy* Olivia Post Senator and Mrs. Tom Young Valerie and Barry Bornstein NewElisabeth W. Harpham and and Samuel J. Kursh RenewedMrs. Conni Y. Purciarele# Diane and Patrick Botula David and Nancy Hathaway Anonymous # Charter Partner Peter and Rosalie Brainard# Don and Denise Hayes* Carol Richardson# * New Partner Art and Suzanne Bremer# Dr. Rose Lee Hayes and Stewart Bell Fox# Ashley Riviere 1 Also a Platinum Corporate Sponsor Mr. Donald C. Broderick, III# Lee and Jim Hedlund# Camden Riviere 2 Also a Gold Corporate Sponsor Austi Brown Mrs. W. Gibbs Herbruck# Chris Riviere# 3 Also a Silver Corporate Sponsor Sid and Esther Brown Howard M. Hickey Jr. and Linda C. Hickey, Gil and Jane Anne Royal# Charter Friends # James and Dorothy Bryan-Kanda* DVM# Kevin T. Ruthven* New participants * Mr. and Mrs. Russ Busbee and Family Thomas Hitchcock Ken and Cathy Sabol* Trail 2011-2012 Sponsor 2012-2013 Sponsor Kalmia Trail Doris and Stephen Briggs Connie and Jesse Young Trail Sponsors Valley of the Magnolias Maggie and David Sacks Cynthia and Kent Cubbage Yucca Valley Laura Bagwell & Miles Denham Laura Bagwell & Miles Denham

A group of enthusiastic walkers from Mount Anna Baptist Church set out on their first adventure through the Hitchcock Woods. Respect & Regard for Retiring Trustee By Ginny Goodyear This is about and for my Mom, Patty Goodyear. Thanks, Mom, From those early days of carriage rides we transitioned to riding for all you’ve given us. Today I want to focus on the love of the lessons with Mr. Newman, then the little and big rides with the Hitchcock Woods that you Aiken Prep School boys. Mom would patiently all of my inspired and instilled within lessons and speak on my behalf about my reticence in going out in me – a love that has stayed the Woods – where the wild dogs lived! (Yes, there were truly with me throughout my life packs of wild dogs during those days!) Then there were the and provided me with what I wonderful Aiken Drag Hunts, as they were called back then. She consider a wonderful, sacred would take us early every Saturday morning to Mr. Newman’s place. This love was instilled stable where our horses would be saddled and ready to go. Upon long ago, from the earliest our return there she would be patiently waiting. Not only was she times that I can remember. You there to watch the riding lessons and get us to and from the stable would take me, sometimes for the drag hunts, but having inspired her children to ride she accompanied by another now had to take us to shows where she would sit for hours while sibling, on these wonderful she waited for our classes to be over. At least the Aiken Horse adventures in the Woods. I Show was within close proximity to our home – so one show, and remember I would be sitting the best show, did not involve too much of a sacrifice! The riding next to you on the seat of a lessons, where we were often taken out in the Woods, and the yellow carriage, behind a paint drags provided an opportunity for me to gain a familiarity with the pony named Dandy. A warm Woods. blanket and a sure hand on the Over the years the riding slipped away and was replaced for me rein were the ingredients for with runs in the Woods. The Woods are a very special place Patricia Goodyear what would always prove to be where one can escape the everyday trials of life, a place where an exhilarating outing. It was often the only noise you hear is the hush of the pines, and visually always fun to be taken for a carriage ride in the Woods but the there is always something different – the fox squirrels at the Show times when we followed the Aiken Drag were the times when the Grounds, the variety of wild flowers springing forth at different fun really began. What would always prove to be a whirlwind times of the year, the occasional fox, deer, snake, or coyote, the experience was never complete without a rendition of “over the scent of the seasons, all provide me with a sense of nostalgia and river and through the Woods, trot fast my dapple grey, spring over peace – a peace that for me cannot be found anywhere else. I feel the ground like a hunting hound for this is Thanksgiving Day!” so fortunate to have such a spot which provides such solace and beauty. It is truly my sanctuary, and I thank you for that, Mom. New Trail Map in the Works $uccess of $ilent Auction By Melanie Metts, intern, USCA Is No $ecret In efforts to make the map of the Woods as accurate and Since 2005, silent auctions have garnered over $270,000 for current as possible, the Foundation has contracted Phillip Miller the care of the Hitchcock Woods and its uses. So … don’t think and Scott Rhodes of Forest Management Services in Barnwell to for a moment that your once cherished but now unused item use global positioning system (GPS) technology to collect has no purpose. Give it a new, appreciative home and help the location data throughout the Woods. This will help the Woods at the same time. Maybe you have an item in the house, Foundation in creating a more complete, more precise trail map. attic, or barn that could raise funds for the Hitchcock Woods In early February, Phillip and Scott began gathering GPS data Foundation. Something you simply don’t need or want any points on over 70 miles of trails. By using GPS hardware and more just might be someone else’s treasure. software, and gathering the information on horseback, their effort Largely due to the tireless work of Jane Page Thompson, the will provide highly accurate positioning data. These points will silent auction is always a highlight of the Aiken Horse Show. map out all of the trails and features on the current map and those Please bring your items by the Foundation office at 444 South not currently represented. Boundary Avenue by March 29. The Foundation has been pursuing funds for this initiative since 2007. However, over the same timeframe, the Foundation has focused its efforts on raising funds to restore the “Green House,” to acquire a new maintenance fleet, to construct the What Is Best Turned Out? Woods Maintenance Facility, and to purchase additional land. By Nancy Francis, Trustee “Now, with these capital initiatives completed and paid for, the Foundation is in a better position to focus on elevating its management and stewardship practices,” said Doug Rabold, “Turnout” is a word used for appropriate attire for the rider Executive Director. and his horse. Each equine discipline has its own tradition. This The GPS “points, lines, and polygons” also will be used in tradition arises from the needs of the rider and his horse and the developing a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will terrain and conditions that they might encounter. This is true serve as a management tool for the board and staff to visualize and for the Fox Hunter. The rider must be clean and neat with assess data in order to make better informed decisions. polished tall boots and spurs, of appropriate color, hunt Eventually, the Foundation also will work on developing , gloves, stock tie with pin to hold it in place, and a hard applications to enhance the visitor experience. “This technology with chin strap. The horse must be in good condition with a can be used in many creative ways to facilitate navigation and to gloss on his coat. The plain brown bridle must be clean and learn about the history and natural resources of the Woods,” Doug conditioned with a polished bit. The brown jumping saddle and said. “Cherie Moritz, a resident of Aiken and an expert in GIS girth also must be clean and conditioned with a shine on the technology, has offered to assist the Foundation in exploring these stirrups. The saddle pad must be clean and shaped to the saddle. ideas in the near future.” We must honor our horses and the hunts we hunt with and do our best to keep the tradition for generations to come. Two Step Process Speeds Restoration By Melanie Metts, intern, USCA January 21 marked a milestone in the Foundation’s longleaf pine restoration program. As a follow up to the selective herbicide treatment conducted last June, 66 of the 170 treated acres were burned in an effort to restore native ground cover. The Hitchcock Woods has adopted a two-step process that will reduce the amount of hardwoods in the forest more efficiently. For over 25 years, The Foundation has been using prescribed burning as a means to control the growth of hardwoods in the uplands that compete with the native herbaceous species of the Woods. Now, the pilot application of selective herbicides is being used to help in the maintenance of the Woods. The native herbaceous ground cover of the longleaf pine ecosystem will now be able to grow back without much competition from hardwoods. Woods Superintendent Bennett Tucker notes a great improvement where the herbicides were applied last spring. He says that this program is likely to provide “20 or more years of restoration in three to five years’ time.” This treatment has begun to halt the growth of Woods Superintendent Bennett Tucker uses a mini pump to extinguish some species of hardwoods. Bennett refers to the herbicide treatment a pine tree set aflame by the prescribed burn. of the Woods as “another tool in the toolbox.” The Foundation’s prescribed burning program is working hand in hand with herbicide treatments to reduce the understory that tends to crowd out native New Staff Member - Eric J. Grande ground cover. The first dormant season burn of the year was conducted from Hastings Line to the intersection of High Point Line and Whitney Please join us in welcoming Drive. The plan for the growing season is to burn the two adjacent Eric Grande, who was hired in areas that also were treated with herbicides. From now on into the February to fill the vacated future, these areas should only need to be burned for maintenance position of Woods Technician. purposes every two to three years. Eric will assist Bennett Tucker in The effort for this restoration project has been funded by the U.S. the day to day stewardship of the Fish and Wildlife Service and has been managed by grant recipient Woods. the National Wild Turkey Federation for the restoration of the Eric is a graduate of the longleaf pine ecosystem in South University of South Carolina Carolina. Bennett says this project Aiken where he earned a will help get the upper hand against Bachelor of Science degree in the hardwoods and expedite the biology with a minor in geology. longleaf pine restoration. Eric’s educational background is well suited for the position, including courses in Eric Grande environmental earth science, ecology, botany, animal behavior, and conservation. He comes with very positive work and academic references, as well as a lifelong familiarity with Aiken. Burn Crew assistants Alan Willing An avid outdoorsman, Eric said, “I wanted a job where I can and Josh Parry use drip torches to utilize my biology education while also gaining work experience in ignite the prescribed burn. the field.” Welcome, Eric!

THE MISSION OF THE HITCHCOCK WOODS FOUNDATION IS TO: • protect and preserve the Hitchcock Woods in a natural and ecologically healthy state, • maintain and manage historic and traditional equestrian and pedestrian uses, and • foster education and research on the history and resources of the Woods.

P.O. Box 1702 Aiken, SC 29802