DARIEN, CT – May 21, 2001 – With only a short time before the kick-off of the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, June 11-17 in Darien, CT, it’s time to make plans to attend the show and the many activities offered in conjunction with its 72nd renewal.

Even before the first horse steps into the ring, you can join in the “Hunt For Hope” on Saturday, June 9. This dinner dance, set under the impressive VIP Tent on the show grounds, is sure to start the weeklong celebration in fine form. And if fashion is your passion, make sure to attend Tuesday’s Fashion Show and Luncheon on June 12, which will also be held under the VIP Tent. Both events benefit the Center For Hope, Inc. For more information on these activities, please call the Center at (203) 655-4693.

The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, a top-class competition, is held at the beautiful and prestigious Ox Ridge Hunt Club. The program features the best of show jumpers and show hunters from across the country. In addition to the featured $35,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix, other classes will be showcased in the pony, junior and amateur divisions. On Monday, June 11, the opening day, you can watch local riders in the spotlight, then beginning on Tuesday the show is open to all exhibitors.

Be sure to attend on Sunday, June 17, where you will see many of the nation’ s best horses and riders, including U.S. Olympic and World Cup veterans. Last year’s blue-ribbon winner, two-time Olympian Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, will certainly try to retain the title in front of her hometown fans. In addition to taking the winner’s share of the $35,000 purse aboard Higher Ground Farm’s Priobert, Howard also placed second riding S’Blieft Group’s Nick Of Diamonds. The victory also clinched her the U.S. Equestrian Team Regional Show Jumping Championship for Zone 1 for the second consecutive year.

In addition to “Leapin’ Leslie” Howard—who earned an Olympic Team Gold Medal in 1984 and a Team Silver Medal in 1996—other Olympic veterans are expected to take the Ox Ridge challenge. Peter Leone, Greenwich, CT, (Team Silver in the 1996 Olympics) has his international partner, Legato, jumping in fine form. More than 5,000 spectators typically attend the grand prix, which is New England’s oldest event of this caliber.

And, if you arrive by 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, you can see the grand prix stars of the future compete for awards in the 6th Annual Ox Ridge Leadline Class, sponsored by Beval Ltd. Usually under age 6, these tiny riders take the stage to show off for the judges and their families in this fun and popular class.

The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show will also highlight top amateur hunter riders who will vie for the winner’s share in the Reuters Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. Miller’s Harness Company will honor the best equitation rider in the prestigious Ox Ridge Equitation Classic. Watson Wyatt Worldwide will sponsor the Small Junior Hunter Division, while Action Trailer Sales provides the awards in the Large Junior Hunter Division. Scudder Private Investment Counsel is sponsoring the Small Pony Hunter Division along with Best Child Rider on a horse and Equitation 15-17 flat. As a prelude to the big jumper classes, Howard Johnson of Darien will sponsor the Pony Hunter Classic, where tomorrow’s grand prix champions are learning the ropes.

The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, one of the nation’s largest and oldest competitions, draws more than 1,500 horses from across the country, who compete over classically beautiful hunter courses and technically difficult jumper courses set on Ox Ridge Hunt Club’s park-like facility.

The prestige of this top rated show continues to draw new and returning sponsors including Brooks Community Newspapers, C.L. Adams Company, Reuters and American Airlines- Coach with More Class, which has again signed on to be the Official Airline of the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show.

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