AIKEN EQUINE ALLIANCE

Paintings by xxxxx courtesy of Security Federal Bank

Front Row Left to Right Agreement Signers: Dr. Ralph Byington (Dean School of Business Administration USCA ) Dr. Tom Hallman (Chancellor USCA) Sam Thomas (Exec. Director AEA) Back Row Left to right Witnesses: Tim Simmons (President Security Federal Bank) Cot Campbell ( President Dogwood Stable, Inc.) Hon. Fred Cavanaugh (Mayor of Aiken, S.C.)

AIKEN EQUINE ALLIANCE (AEA) AND UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AIKEN (USCA) SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT EXECUTED TO COOPERATE ON AN EQUINE EDUCATION PROGRAM.

This program establishes an Equine Studies Management Concentration in the USCA School of Business Administration to benefit Aiken Area students and Equine Businesses. The AEA/USCA agreement recognizes the value and economic impact of the Equine industry in the Aiken area. The primary purpose of this agreement is to motivate and provide assistance to students and faculty in the continuation and further development of South Carolina and the Aiken area as a recognized center of Equine excellence. The program is expected to be a common denominator among all Aiken citizens whether an Equestrian, Equine Business owner or just interested in Aiken's future.

The long term goal of the agreement is to develop sufficient funding to endow a Chair of Equine Studies in the School of Business Administration. Beginning in the 2007 spring semester AEA will provide competitive Scholarships and Internships to USCA for qualifying students registered in business administration who express an interest in pursuing the Equine Studies Emphasis in the Management Concentration. AEA will also coordinate Aiken Area Equine Businesses in offering Internship employment for students pursuing Equine Studies.

Students doing approved Internship employment with Aiken Area Equine businesses can earn credits toward their USCA degree in Business Administration with an Equine Emphasis in the Management Concentration. Aiken Area High School Seniors planning on registering in USCA in the spring of 2007 and students already registered in USCA Business Administration may apply for the AEA Scholarship program.

Businesses and individuals wishing to contribute to the funding of the Chair for Equine Studies or funding Equine Studies scholarships for students can
CLICK HERE FOR DONATION TYPES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Equine related businesses or individuals wishing to offer Internship opportunities for students should
CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERNSHIP EMPLOYER APPLICATION FORM

The Aiken Equine Alliance (AEA) is a non-profit organization incorporated in South Carolina on November 3, 2004. It has been long recognized that the Aiken, SC area has become an acknowledged center of a diverse variety of equine related interests, activities, and businesses. The AEA was founded to provide a focal point for the mutually beneficial growth and world wide recognition of the Aiken area and its individual equine groups. The AEA's mission supports the promotion of Aiken as the premier location in the southeastern United States for equine activities and as a leading equine education center. It is anticipated that the efforts of AEA will benefit the State of SC and the Aiken area in particular in:

1. Bringing all related equine activities together to help each other in publicizing the Aiken regional community as a unique equine community.

2. Helping Aiken and other surrounding Counties and their municipalities as well as Lower Savannah Council of Governments to promote tourism and the broader utilization of area recreational, educational and accommodation facilities.

3. Enhance the ability of Aiken area centers of learning, including USCA and Aiken Technical College, to become leading equine education institutions.

4. Be a real economic plus for Aiken and Aiken County.

5. Assist in the Aiken area's continued development as an outstanding location for business development and equine interest related retirement opportunity.

6. Support Aiken Area organizations and individuals in developing equine related skills and participation in equine related competitions.

The AEA supplements the existing individual equine organizations in that the focus of AEA is more a strategic long term approach to regional development by emphasizing international recognition of the uniqueness and variety of Aiken's equine expertise

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE AEA AND/OR COMPLETE AN INFORMATION & EQUINE INTEREST FORM

If you are interested in learning more about AEA or helping with future activities send in your Information and Equine Interest Form and contact us at:
Aiken Equine Alliance
252 Willow Lake Drive
Aiken SC 29803

Telephone: (803) 644-3094

AEA COUNCIL OF ADVISORS:
Charlie Bostwick, Aiken Polo Club; Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stables; Fred Cavanaugh, City of Aiken; Rick Cram, Progressive Show Jumping; Joannah Glass, Sporting Days Farm; Robert N. Hall (DBHS), Fulmer International; Tom Hallman, USC Aiken; Lisa Handy, Carolina Equine Clinic; Mike Hunt, Aiken County; Mack Miller, Trainer (Retired); Lydia Rose, Aiken Saddlery & Supply; Warren Scherer, Polo; Tim Simmons, Federal Security Bank; Ron Stevens, Aiken Training Track; Sam Thomas, Aiken Equine Alliance; Jack Wetzel, H-N-D Carriage Stable; Fred Wright, Real Estate