Boyd Martin and Fedarman B (Bruno), gallop through the finish flags
There was not a dry eye in the house as Boyd Martin and Fedarman B (Bruno), galloped through the finish flags on Saturday afternoon at the 2022 $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field, in Aiken, South Carolina
Owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate, Bruno belonged to the late Annie Goodwin, who passed away in a tragic schooling accident in July 2021. Boyd Martin, who coached Annie for several years, took over the ride on Bruno in the autumn of 2021, and together the pair finished the Grand Prix Eventing Festival presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services on their dressage score of 25.9.
“What a privilege to ride this horse” said an emotional Boyd “Annie was so special to so many people especially in this community and then to bring the horse here and her fiancé and mom, dad, all her best mates are here, and the horse on top of that went like a champ … I couldn’t have hoped for better.”
Boyd and Tsetserleg, leaders after the dressage
Boyd and Christine Turner's Tsetserleg finished second, adding just one rail in the show jumping and 0.4 time on cross country to their dressage score, to finish on a 28.5.
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap, owned by Jessica & Doug Payne and Susan Drillock, rounded out the top three on a finishing score of 31.9.
Britain’s William Fox-Pitt had made the journey over for the showcase event finished in 16th place on board a catch ride, Rock Phantom and was part of the second placed Team Green in the team competition
Boyd Martin and Doug Payne on the 2022 podium of the $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field
Two "special" Awards were also given out during Saturday's award ceremony.
The first was the inaugural Annie Goodwin Sportsmanship Award, in honour of the late Annie Goodwin. This year's recipient was Amanda Beale-Clement. Amanda was nominated by her fellow riders for the honour, and Phillip Dutton and Annie's father, Putter Goodwin, were there to present.
This year's Top Rookie Award went out to Caitlin Silliman. Silliman and her mare, Ally KGO, were the highest placed first timers at this year's showcase.
They added just one rail in show jumping and a handful of time on cross-country to finish ninth on a score of 44.6. GPE Committee Chair, Phillip Dutton presented the award. Burke Horse Studs provided a complete set of titanium horse studs for this year's Top Rookie Award.
The Annie Goodwin Sportsmanship Award presented to Amanda Beale-Clement
Before the start of Cross-Country, loved ones gathered in the main arena for a moment to celebrate and reflect on the life of Annie Goodwin. Annie suffered a tragic accident last summer, while schooling her beloved Bruno in preparation for competition.
Originally from Buffalo, Wyoming, Annie chose to live in and grow her successful equestrian business in Aiken. Here, she developed a strong following, all of whom were fortunate to gain from her love and knowledge of the sport. Her huge smile, infectious laugh, enthusiasm for life, and dedication to her sport, made her an endearing member of our community.
Annie Goodwin was a rising star in the sport of eventing. She was a frequent competitor at Bruce's Field and was a fixture at our winter schooling days since their inception in 2016.
Annie invested in our community by volunteering her time at Bruce’s Field. Most recently, she volunteered as a member of the organising committee for our Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce's Field, and had her rookie start as a competitor in the March 2021 showcase.
Annie’s father Putter Goodwin, her good friends Ashley Adams, Caitlin Silliman, Nikki Scherrer, Erin Kanara, and Annie’s fiancé Jake Padgett with her beloved horse Bruno
Below are the words shared during this time by her father, Putter Goodwin
"Annie really wanted to be here today – every bit as much as we wish that too. So, let’s make sure she is.
Let’s remember her with a smile and all the joy she would bring.Let’s remember her with a cheer and all the encouragement she would share. Let’s remember her with inspiration. Gallop on today!
This great sport is never without risk but is always about partnership and camaraderie.
The spirit of challenge - fairness and friendship is what drew Annie to this life and especially to this sport. Much to the surprise of her parents because Annie once announced with all the wisdom of her 12 years “I would never be an eventer – all you do is get hurt and you never win anything!”
We think that is only one of the reasons she was so supportive of this great Showcase Event and the exciting opportunities it creates.
In the words of a friend, “This was her life and she was fortunate to be living it”
Annie grew up in the wide-open spaces, more horses, cows, and dogs in her life than people. She recognized them all as friends. Annie was no stranger to the ups and downs of a life horseback.
Annie chose this life – she was passionate about it – she worked for it every day and in horselife she found purpose. From the day she could walk – she rode. She took to horses and they to her.
She had opportunity to be exposed to exceptional horse men and women in all disciplines and she soaked it up like a sponge. These things and many more are the reasons why she chose this place - this ground - this community to call home.
She loved that here, horses can still be horses. Farms have ample pasture and paddocks for turn out, the sandy hills provide good footing for training and conditioning, there are plenty of playgrounds to prepare young horses and great competitions to measure progress. Plus - good - year-round weather… OK, summers are hot and this year, winter is cold!!!
But mostly it is this community - this amazing, inclusive community that fosters development and opportunity for horses and horse people of all sorts. To be included you need only - truly love a horse.
In the same way she chose this horse - Bruno.
On a wing and a prayer, she purchased him off a video with an agent’s recommendation. An unbacked 3-year-old, he was every bit as talented, quirky and intelligent as she was – with the help of many - they came a long way together.
You have only to see pictures of them to know their connection. Annie would want no one other than Boyd and everyone at Windurra to continue that journey. In the spirit of sportsmanship that was Annie’s greatest achievement we wish all of the competitors a great day of sport. We want to thank everyone gathered here for the love that you have for Annie and the support this community has shown her.
She really wishes she could be here today - so let’s kick on for Annie"
Putter Goodwin
Boyd Martin and Bruno
