Aiken horses pull in $72 million a year

AIKEN --- A proposed international horse park and other equine development plans are set to boost the multimillion-dollar industry in Aiken.

The industry brings in about $72 million a year and employs more than 1,800 people in Aiken County, according to a study conducted in December 2008.

David Jameson, the president of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, said the polo industry is one of the fastest-growing equine disciplines in Aiken. That could be lucrative in the near future, he said.

"We have more horses than any county in South Carolina, and the highest value horses in the state," he said. "In Aiken, you can get the high quality horses in an area with 127 years of continuous polo play."

Polo began to gain momentum in the area about six years ago, with the number of polo fields growing from six to 43 in Aiken, Mr. Jameson said. According to last year's study, polo makes up the highest percentage of the horse activities in Aiken, with 21 percent, followed by flat-racing steeplechase at 19 percent and fox hunting at 17 percent.

Aiken's lower cost of living compared with areas such as West Palm Beach, Fla., which is known for its polo fields, gave it a new group of horse enthusiasts, said Will Hartnett, the manager of New Bridge Polo and Country Club. He said his club has received steady business in spite of the economic downtown.

"We're able to provide a more affordable level of polo, and we already have so many local professional players," Mr. Hartnett said. "Polo has taken a hit over the last 18 months, but locally we haven't felt it as much."

Last month, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism unveiled statewide plans for economic growth through tourism and parks development, Mr. Jameson said. Aiken was at the center of those plans, with an international horse park that would cover 600 to 1,000 acres.

The city already attracts thousands of tourists each year with its equine events, but the park could expand Aiken's equine presence across the world.

"We have great facilities, but this venue would be bigger and bolder than anything that exists in South Carolina and Georgia," Mr. Jameson said. "What we would need to keep it up -- stabling, pastures, food, beverages and other accommodations -- would grow the dollars that would come to Aiken."

A 70-member committee was formed this year to expand on the history of equestrian sports in Aiken, Mr. Jameson said. The committee is discussing creating a walking equine trail to connect farms and pastures throughout the county.

Barb Uskup, a polo player and the marketing director for 302 Polo, said she has seen the horse disciplines grow in Aiken and thinks the industry will continue to prosper.

"It's gradually growing, because we have the best conditions of any polo areas in the country," she said. "It's amazing that we still have the same number of teams playing, so we're still able to bring in that business in spite of the economy."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.