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When do entries open and close?
Entries open on January 2, 2008 and close on February 6, 2008. 

Can I enter as Buyer/Seller after the closing date?
Yes, though there is a $50 late fee.

What are the entry fees associated with the sale?
Prior to the closing date the fees are as follows:
Buyers: $125
Sellers: $225 per horse (not including stabling)

If I register as a Buyer or Seller, can I bring a guest (i.e. friend, spouse, groom or trainer)?
Yes.  Buyers and Sellers may bring one guest free of charge. Additional guests must pay the admission fee for spectators.

Can I register as a Buyer and a Seller?
Dual registration is permitted. The fee is $300 which includes admission for one Buyer/Seller and one guest to both days of the Sale and Wednesday Night Cocktail Party.

What if I am a Seller and I decide I want to become a Buyer on the day of the Sale?
Sellers can pay an additional fee to become a Buyer at the Sale. The fee is $100 for the upgrade.

What if I enter as a Buyer and/or Seller, but then decide to scratch?
Scratches made prior to the closing date of February 6, 2008 will be refunded less a $50 administrative fee. There will be no refunds after February 6, 2008. Withdrawals must be made in writing, preferably by email (aikeneventhorsesale@gmail.com), by 5pm on February 6th.

If I am a registered Buyer can my trainer try a horse?
Trainers may try horses for registered Buyers with permission of Seller after signing appropriate paperwork. Trainers must register as Buyers to make offers on horses during the sale.

The horse I entered was sold. Can I bring another horse instead?
Yes.  Horse changes can be accommodated though there is a $50 change fee

Are spectators allowed?
Yes. The fee for spectators is $25 for admission to both days of the Sale. Additional Wednesday Night Cocktail Party tickets are available for $35/person. These can by purchased on the day of the sale.

What if I am a spectator and I decide I want to buy a horse?
Spectators can upgrade to Buyer status for $175 by completing the appropriate paperwork at the office. They will need to present a letter of credit as required for all Buyers.

What is a letter of credit?
Buyers are required to submit a letter of credit upon check-in at the sale. A letter of credit is a note from the Buyer’s bank that states the Buyer has $5,000. The purpose is to give Sellers reassurance that Buyers have said money. The letter must be dated within the previous ten days, must be signed by a representative of the Buyer’s bank, and must state that the Buyer has a minimum of $5,000.

Are there age restrictions?
No.  Horses can be of any age, including young horses not yet ready to be shown under saddle.

Are horses suitable for lower levels appropriate?
Yes, horses of all levels, abilities, and experience are welcome.

Are broodmares allowed?
Yes, Sellers of broodmares should indicate if they intend to show horse under saddle.

Are Sellers required to provide radiographs?
No.  For this year, radiographs are recommended and strongly encouraged, but not required.

What radiographs are recommended?
Radiographs of front feet, front ankles, and hocks are recommended. The following views are recommended:

What are the expectations for turnout of horses and Sellers for the formal presentation?
Horses should be turned out as if they are at a CCI horse inspection. Braids are required for both days of the sale. Horses should be neatly clipped and well groomed, and riders should be neatly turned out as well. Boots, breeches, and approved helmets are required at all times when riding. Any questions or concerns about turnout should be directed to aikeneventhorsesale@gmail.com.

What will the formal presentation be like?
The formal presentation will be conducted as a jog at a CCI though there will be no Ground Jury or Veterinary Panel. It is a first opportunity for Buyers to see the horses in the sale and how the horses jog on a firm surface. Any questions or concerns about the formal inspection should be directed to aikeneventhorsesale@gmail.com.

Sellers and horses for sale must be present at the formal inspection or will be considered a scratch. 

How much is the transaction fee?
The transaction fee is 3.5% of the horse’s reserve price to be paid by Seller upon sale of horse.  Upon arriving at the Sale, Sellers will make a check in the amount of 3.5% of the reserve price payable to AEHS. This check will be held by AEHS.  If the horse is sold during the Sale or within 45 days of the close of the Sale, AEHS will cash the check as payment of the transaction fee.  If the horse is not sold, AEHS will destroy the check.

When can we check-in?
Tuesday afternoon check-in will be allowed for Buyers and Sellers, as well as the morning of each day of the sale. Times will be announced on the website by February 18th.

Sellers and horses for sale must be present at the formal inspection or will be considered a scratch. 

Will hacking be allowed on the grounds?
As the schedule permits, we will allow 1 to 2 hours each morning for hacking at a walk, trot or canter around the sale grounds, rings and jumps.  Jumping will not be allowed at this time.

As a Seller will I have to sell my horse to a home that I don’t think is best? Will I have say in the process?
Ultimately the Seller makes the decision about whether or not to sell the horse to a particular Buyer as described in the Terms of Sale. AEHS provides a venue for the sale, but does not participate in the sale of individual horses.

What if several people want to try the same horse?
The Seller will regulate who rides the horse and for what length of time. There will be ample opportunity for multiple Buyers to try horses. The decision about how much riding a horse can tolerate is at the discretion of the Seller.

What if two people make the same offer on a horse? 
The decision to accept or reject an offer rests solely with the Seller.

How does a Buyer make an offer? 
Upon deciding to make an offer, a Buyer may tell the Seller that they intend to make an offer.  However, no offer will be considered tendered until it has been recorded by the Secretary of Sale using the AEHS “Buyers Offer” form at which time it will be posted on the “Sale Status” board.

Can a Buyer offer less than the reserve price on a horse?
All recorded offers made prior to 4:00 PM on the second day of the Sale must meet or exceed the reserve price on the horse. After 4:00 PM on the second day of the sale Buyers may place offers lower than the reserve only on horses that have not received any offers at that time.

How and when can a Seller accept an offer?
A Seller can accept any offer that meets or exceeds the reserve price at any time during the Sale.  However, an offer is only considered accepted when the Seller records his acceptance with the Secretary of Sale using the AEHS “Sellers Acceptance” form, at which time the acceptance will be posted on the “Sale Status” board. 

Are offers binding?
All offers are considered binding upon completion of the “Buyers Offer” form pending a satisfactory veterinary exam to be scheduled within 5 business days of the completion of the sale.  However, AEHS accepts no responsibility for enforcing offers.

Can I bring my own vet?
Yes. AEHS will have a vet on-site, but Buyers may bring their own vet to pre-purchase a horse at the sale. Vets can either come as the Buyer’s guest or will need to pay the admission fee for spectators. 

I want to come as a Buyer and bring my trailer in case I purchase a horse. Do you have trailer parking?
Lara Anderson of Full Gallop Farm has trailer parking available for a nominal fee. Please contact her at fullgallopfarm@yahoo.com, 803-293-1316, or 803-215-6590.

Do you have stabling available?
Stabling will not be available on the grounds of the Aiken Event Horse Sale. Full Gallop Farm no longer has stalls available at this time. Please contact the Aiken Event Horse Sale for assistance with stabling arrangements.

Do you have trailer hook-ups?
Lara Anderson of Full Gallop Farm has a limited number of hook-ups available. Please contact her at fullgallopfarm@yahoo.com, 803-293-1316, or 803-215-6590.