After a successful inaugural sale in 2008, the Aiken Event Horse Sale (AEHS) is only a few days away, and already over 30 horses have been entered for presentation at this prestigious event. The sale takes place over two days, March 2-3, and is designed to bring buyers and sellers together in a fun, convenient, and enjoyable setting right in the midst of one of the most equestrian-friendly areas of the United States—Aiken, SC.

The online sales catalogue is posted up on the AEHS website at http://aikeneventhorsesale.com/catalog.html, and for the first time this year includes photographs of the available horses.

Also new this year is convenient on-site stabling, making this sale suitable for both buyers and sellers. Spectators and buyers are invited free of charge to come and enjoy the sale in the company of their eventing friends.

Proven event horses and talented prospects will be presented at the AEHS, ranging from young horses just starting out in their careers in the Young Event Horse series and beginner novice divisions on up to experienced intermediate eventers. Not only do horses range in age from from three years old to 13, but there's a significant variety of size difference in the presented horses, which are anywhere from 14.1-hands all the way to a towering 17.3.

There are plenty of well-bred horses available for everyone's budget, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $55,000. Classic Thoroughbred event horses aren't the only horses being presented at this sale—there are warmbloods sired by Riverman and Feinerstern, Connemara crosses, Cleveland Bay crosses, Irish Sport Horses, Welsh Cobs, and more. Allison Springer is bringing a talented eventer sired by A Fine Romance, a well-known Thoroughbred who's sired many rising stars in the Young Event Horse series. You may remember Folklore, the reserve champion in the 2005 and 2006 Young Event Horse Championships as a four- and five-year-old; he'll be available as well. Laura Vandervliet is bringing a half-brother to the 2008 Future Event Horse Grand Champion, and Tanya Davis is presenting Gaelic Wind, the dam of the champion colt at the 2008 Future Event Horse Championships.

German, Irish, Canadian, Belgian, and U.S.-bred horses will be attending, and clients are bringing their prospects from all across the East Coast. So far, the nearly 30 eventers will be making the trip to Aiken from North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio.

Top riders such as Allison Springer, Sinead Halpin, Craig Thompson, Will Faudree, Kelli Temple, Laura VanderVliet, and Corinne Ashton will be bringing horses for consideration.

Buyers will have plenty of time to sign up for personal ride evaluations of horses. Visit the schedule page to see the complete timeline for the sale. Likewise, sellers will have abundant time to make sure their horses are settled in and comfortable at the farm before they'll be presented for sale, ensuring that each horse is shown in their peak condition.

Not quite sure if the AEHS is the right option for you? Check out the testimonials page to hear the rave reviews from last year's sale. "The Aiken Event Horse Sale is a logical way for buyers and sellers to meet at one location. Last year's sale was professionally run and was the first of hopefully many successful sales," said U.S. Leading Rider Phillip Dutton after last year's sale.

For more information, visit the Aiken Event Horse Sale website at http://aikeneventhorsesale.com/index.html or e-mail [email protected] or call (631) 252-4892 or (803) 634-0379.