DARIEN, CT – January 23, 2002 – The 73rd annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show held at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien CT, will have a new format this year. The Show will open on Wednesday, June 12 at 8:00 AM and run through Sunday, June 16.

June 16, which is Father’s Day, will feature the $35,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix. Each show day will offer four rings of competition including pony hunters, juniors, amateurs, equitation classes and jumpers. Some new classes to be offered this year are the State Line Tack National Children’s Medal, Adult Equitation, Short Stirrup Equitation and Maiden, Novice and Limit Equitation Divisions. A portion of the proceeds from the show benefits The Center For Hope, a counseling and support center for children and adults, located in Darien.

The highlight of the horse show is the $35,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix. The Ox Ridge Grand Prix features many of the nation’s best horses and riders including U.S. Olympic veterans. An annual participant is two-time Olympian Leslie Howard of Westport CT. Howard, winner of the 2000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix, is expected to return to try it again! Other Olympic veterans expected include Nona Garson, Joe Fargis, and Peter Leone. McLain Ward, the 2001 Ox Ridge Grand Prix Champion, is also expected to be on hand to defend his title. Ward rode his mount, Xtatic to last year’s win and also placed 8th with another of his horses, Farrah.

The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show is one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious hunter-jumper competitions, drawing more than 1,500 horses from around the country. Exhibitors compete over classically beautiful hunter courses and technically challenging jumper courses on the park-like facility at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club. The boutique area offers a shopping event for the entire family and includes gifts for the home, people and pets, as well as a full complement of horse supplies. A visit here completes a lovely day in a country setting. The first three sponsors to sign on for the 2002 Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show are Reuters, CL Adams and Watson Wyatt.

For further information, please call the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show at (203) 656-1745.