Bridlecreek Farm hosts USEF eventing high performance sessions

Ilene and Bob Boorman's Bridle Creek Farm hosted the United States Equestrian Federation's eventing high performance and developing riders training sessions this past week. The facility is located in the Bridle Creek Equestrian Community.

Boyd Martin, who bases at Bridle Creek Farm during the winter, had several horses participate in the training sessions with U.S. eventing Chef d'Equipe Capt. Mark Phillips, including the USEF co-Horse-of-the-Year Neville Bardos.

"It was great to get the horses up and jump in front of the coach," said Martin. "I feel that all of the horses that are in contention for the Olympics are where they should be in their fitness and training."

The training sessions in Aiken provide Phillips with an opportunity to see a fair amount of the nation's best riders and upper level horses in one location. The Chef d'Equipe plays a critical role in the team's success.

"I think it's good to have a fresh set of eyes, being that he hasn't seen us in a couple of months," said Martin. "Everyday, sometimes you improve inch-by-inch. It's interesting to see what his impression is after not seeing them for a while."

Upper level veteran Remington XXV was part of the training sessions, and the 16. 1 Hanoverian Warmblood gelding who was formerly a dressage horse and fox hunter, has successfully made the transition to eventing.

"It's great having a larger group of high level horses," said Martin. "Some of them are getting on a bit. Ying Yang Yo and Remington are both 15-year-olds. But (taking part in the training sessions with multiple horses) it's also great for your riding, having the opportunity to work with high level horses a couple of times a day, rather than just up and coming horses. At a clinic like this, you get extra help because of the additional horses."

"These high level horses don't compete much," said Martin. "They only have eight starts a year."

A strong, competent staff makes a significant difference, said Martin. The horses that had competed at the Full Gallop Farm horse trials on Wednesday, had the day off Thursday.

Martin's passion for horses is palpable, and he really enjoys training horses. His daily routine finds him training from seven in the morning to about three in the afternoon, where he concentrates on his own horses. Some days he'll teach after 3 p.m.

The Boormans goal was to create a facility (Bridle Creek Farm) that was suitable for international level horses and riders. They placed an emphasis on safety, and had their doubts, but were hopeful that it (the facility) would eventually come to fruition, said Ilene Boorman. They sought the input of some of the sport's top horseman.

"We listened to Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin and Emma Ford (Phillip Dutton's groom), so that everything worked together, and was friendly to the horse and rider," said Boorman.

Bridle Creek Farm was purchased by the Boormans four years ago, and they initially started with the barn and dressage ring, said Ilene Boorman.

"Last year, we added six more paddocks, so now we have 14 paddocks, and we added the jump ring and the cross country schooling area," said Boorman, who lives in the District of Columbia, and had originally come to Aiken to ride with Phillip Dutton. "I fell in love with the property, and my husband Bob fell in love with the property and the golf in Aiken."