Equestrian Season
Equestrian Season Returns to Aiken: In Conversation with Neil Morris
The sun is just starting to tint the lower horizon of the sky with subtle hints of oranges and pinks; the grass is covered in dew from the cool evening air; all is quiet around Aiken as residents are catching a few more minutes of sleep before beginning their busy days. It’s a peaceful time of morning all throughout town except for at the Aiken Training Track, where the days start early as trainers, jockeys, and horses prepare for the spring steeplechase season.
Neil Morris, a world-renowned Steeplechase trainer, is out at Aiken Training Track this year with over two dozen horses from across the globe to train. He’s trained for 30 years, mainly in Virginia, but has spent the off- season in Aiken as he gears up for another season of racing. The milder winter weather made our town the ideal place for him and his horses compared to Virginia, where the ground may be too frozen to train in January and February.
Tina McCarthy had the opportunity to sit down with Neil one afternoon, after the training for the day was complete, to learn more about his history. Tune in to meet Neil!