team members
Past Chairman Wendy O’Brien is an accomplished equestrian with a lifelong dedication to equestrian disciplines, farm life, business ventures, and community causes. Her equestrian pursuits include Radnor Hunt Pony Club, horse showing, foxhunting, steeplechase racing, three day eventing, breeding and training. She is a competitive Combined Driver, and was on the U.S. Pony Team in
Judy McConnell joins Great Oak after 18 years of involvement at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, including three years as the President. She and her husband, Chuck, have three children and six grandchildren. They retired to Aiken and reside in Three Runs Plantation with her two horses and Schnoodle. Judy actively hunts
Vice ChairpersonShawna Dietrich grew up in Houston, Texas, “on the back of a horse.” When her family moved to Kentucky, she started showing hunters and jumpers in the Midwest, graduating into teaching and training on a professional level. Personal events led to a change of direction, and into the business world of equine insurance. Dietrich
Tony Rickard is a life-long resident of Aiken. Many of you may recognize Tony from Osbon’s Laundry and Cleaners, which he owns along with his uncle and cousin. Tony is also the President of the Western Carolina State Fair Foundation. He has been married to his wife, Ashley for ten years and they have two
Annie moved to Aiken from Chester Co, Pennsylvania, with her family in the 1980s. Growing up, Annie and her sisters enjoyed riding in Hitchcock Woods and going to local schooling shows. Annie is the daughter of Jeannie and Steve Groat, who were the founders of the Aiken Bluegrass Festival, which was established as a fundraiser
