United States Eventing Association

On Saturday, ground was broken on a 66-acre lot in Aiken, S.C., marking the space that will become the Aiken Horse Park over the next year. The Aiken Horse Park is the realization of the late Bruce Duchossois' dream to provide an premier schooling and competition facility for equestrians of all levels to enjoy.

Bruce purchased the plot of land, which consisted of fields and a steeplechase track, almost fifteen years ago to save it from development, and dreamed up the Aiken Horse Park as a landmark venue for equestrian activities of all disciplines and levels. The Park, which is projected to open some time in mid- to late-2015, will boast multiple state-of-the-art arenas, a derby field, viewing stands and vendor spaces. The main field in the Park will be named "Bruce's Field."

Bruce Duchossois passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer, during which he remained an active and highly-esteemed member and supporter of the equestrian community. Bruce's family, the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, and members of the Aiken community joined together on Saturday to break ground on Bruce's dream project and to honor his memory.

“We're certainly going to need a lot of help [from the Aiken community] in creating Bruce's dream because it's a big dream,” said Jack Wetzel, president of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, according to the Aiken Standard. “As we all know, Bruce only had big dreams.”