Painted Fiberglass Horse

"Hav Sum Fun" by Barbara Nelson, is number 23 of thirty-one beautifully decorated HORSEPLAY horses. HORSEPLAY is a public arts celebration made possible by a partnership between the Aiken Center for the Arts and United Way of Aiken County.

"Hav Sum Fun" honors Thoroughbred racing stables that have been based at Aiken Training Track and made a significant contribution to flat racing. The stables must also have been represented in the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame.

On each of Hav Sum Fun's flanks are scenes from Aiken Training Track. On his left is a view from the rail, a furlong or so from the finish line with the landmark Live Oak tree clearly visible. A two year old and his exercise rider are trotting past in the morning sunlight. On the right flank is a view from Two Notch Road, near the Steeplechase office, south towards the timer's stand. The starting gate is visible, but the most obvious recognizable object is the equestrian light signal that locals and visitors alike associate with the Two Notch Road stabling area.

Hall of Fame silks and jockey caps are placed colorfully along the rump, shoulders and neck of the young racehorse. His red saddle towel has emblems of the South Carolina Palmetto tree and moon, the No.1 post, and the name Aiken on it. His bridle has a No.1 card and his hind leg run down wraps are a flashy white with red tape to compliment his saddle towel.

Hav Sum Fun's dark bay color and white markings are influenced by the artist's own Thoroughbred, who himself raced under the name HAVSUMFUN

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© 2003 Barbara Nelson