It’s Show Time at the June 21-25 Fairfield County Hunt Club Horse Show in Westport, Conn.

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Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward aboard Vocas owned by Louisburg Farm, winner of 2010 Fairfield Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – June 14, 2011 – It’s Show Time! Experience the thrilling sport of show jumping at the Fairfield County Hunt Club Benefit Horse Show on Tuesday-Saturday, June 21-25, 2011 at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, Connecticut.

This exciting five-day AA-Rated show is fun for everyone, a great family activity and offers free admission to all throughout the week. The event showcases the full range of equestrian competition, from lead line toddlers to Grand Prix Olympic Gold Medal riders. In addition, numerous fashion boutiques will be on sight throughout the week selling one of a kind clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, and household items. There will also be a display of Buick and GMC vehicles. Some additional activities include the Fashion & Art Show on Wednesday, the “Horseless Horseshow” on Thursday, and the Pet Parade on Friday. Spectators are welcome to take advantage of the full service food and beverage concession offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Amore dei Cani, Bella Tu, Charles Ancona New York, Laszlo Accessories, Preppy Player, Skid Row, The Snappy Gator, Stella Dot, True Blue, and Voltaire Design Inc. will joining us in the Paddock Boutiques this year, along with Beval Saddlery Ltd., Agriventures Agway, Official Feed & Bedding Supplier, and Reflections Photography, Official Photographer, in Vendor Row.

Two new featured competitions are the $10,000 New England Hunter Derby on Wednesday and the $7,500 Welcome Jumper Stake on Thursday.

Thursday night, the Horse Show Barbecue will be hosted by Buick & GMC, official vehicle sponsors of the show. The barbeque will take place at 5:30 p.m. after the junior and amateur jumper riders vie for top honors at 4:00 p.m. in the Buick & GMC $5,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Jumper Classic. Barbecue tickets are $15 per person, and are available for sale in the Hospitality Tent.

The culminating event is the $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 25, 2011, presented by Wells Fargo Advisors and George N. Venizelos, starting at 1:30 p.m. Bring a picnic blanket, purchase a delicious lunch at the concession and watch this exciting event from the Clubhouse lawn where world-class riders and horses navigate over 5′ to 6′ foot obstacles at racehorse speeds.

For those who want to watch the Grand Prix while enjoying a champagne reception, silent auction, and a delicious buffet under a beautifully appointed tent, you can join us at Saturday’s Grand Prix Luncheon which starts at 11:30 a.m. Seats at Saturday’s Grand Prix Luncheon are $250 per person and directly benefit The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) national charitable foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of horses and people who can benefit from their unique ability to empower, teach, and heal.

The EQUUS Foundation will operate a boutique throughout the week and a silent auction at its Saturday Luncheon. Many local retail outlets have donated items, including Caribiners Indoor Climbing, Connecticut School of Music, Delamar Southport, The Dressing Room, Fairfield Ice Academy, Imperial Dental Associates, in2design, J. Pocker & Son, Magnolia, Molto Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Newman’s Own, Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center, Osianna – A Mediterranian Taverna, Palace Rugs of Wilton, Inc., Pickets, Ponymom Designs, School of Rock, Silver of Westport, Inc., Southport Galleries, Sportsplex@Fairfield, Sweet Rexies, Tiffany & Co., Trek Bicycle Store, Troy Fine Art Services, Inc., Venture Photography, Westport Eyecare Associates, Wilton Fencing Academy and Wright Photography.

The show’s generous individual and corporate sponsors will be on hand to present awards to the ribbon winners, including corporate medal sponsors, Wells Fargo Advisors and George N. Venizelos, Buick & GMC, Official Vehicle Sponsor, and Moffly Media, Official Magazine Sponsor, Agriventures Agway, Avenue Capital Group, Coca Cola, Corinthian Partners LLC, D’Addario Industries, Fairfield Equine Associates, Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Hi Ho Petroleum, Hospital for Special Surgery, Imperial Dental Associates, Margaret Bondy Interiors, Newmark Knight Frank, and Westport Eyecare Associates. For additional information about the show, visit www.equusfoundation.org/fairfield or contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at equus@equusfoundation.org or (203) 259-1550.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY HUNT CLUB JUNE BENEFIT HORSE SHOW FEATURED CLASSES & EVENTS

All events are open to the public with free admission unless otherwise indicated.

ALL DAY & EVERY DAY

Food & Beverage Service
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday (6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.); Thursday (6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.); Saturday (6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Take advantage of the full service food and beverage concession offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Shopping at the Paddock Boutiques
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.); Thursday (10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.); Saturday (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Paddock Boutiques: Amore dei Cani, Bella Tu, Charles Ancona New York, Laszlo Accessories, Preppy Player, Skid Row, The Snappy Gator, stella & dot, True Blue, Voltaire Design Inc. Vendor Row: Agriventures Agway; Beval Saddlery Ltd.; and Reflections Photography.

WEDNESDAY
$10,000 New England Hunter Derby – Presented by the Friends of The Global Fund for Children. A competitive class demonstrating the original roots of the hunter horse.

Art Show
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Chaired by Vida Florian. View a variety of donated art in the Hospitality Tent. Sale proceeds to benefit The EQUUS Foundation.

Fashion Show
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Chaired by Kendra Bollinger-Guilfoile & Jennifer Ross.  Fashion show featuring fashions by local retailers and modeled by club members.

THURSDAY
$7,500 Welcome Jumper Class
Presented by The Ross Family. Top riders & horses test their skills before Saturday’s Grand Prix.

$5,000 Buick & GMC Amateur Owner/Junior Jumper Classic
Amateur and junior jumper riders will vie for top honors starting at 4 p.m.

Buick & GMC Horse Show BBQ – 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Open to the public. $15 per person. Tickets available for sale in the Hospitality Tent. Free to exhibitors, trainers, owners and exhibitor staff.

Horseless Horse Show – 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Chaired by Tricia Beal & Benedicte Berg.  Children can jump a course of obstacles that mimics an actual show jumping competition on the Clubhouse lawn.

FRIDAY
Pet Parade
5 p.m. to 6 p.m – Chaired by Tricia Beal & Benedicte Berg.  Calling all pet owners, come show your dog, cat, ferret, parakeet, or hamster on the Clubhouse lawn. All pets welcome. Prizes will be awarded. $5 voluntary donation to The EQUUS Foundation appreciated.

SATURDAY
Children’s Jumper Classic
8:30 a.m.
Presented by Catherine & David DeVoe

Adult Jumper Classic – 10:30 a.m.
Presented by Corinthian Partners LLC

EQUUS Benefit Luncheon
11:30 am
Enjoy a champagne reception, silent auction, and delicious buffet under a beautifully appointed tent and watch the Grand Prix up close and personal. Seats are $250 per person and directly benefit The EQUUS Foundation.

$25,000 Grand Prix – 1:30 p.m. Presented by Wells Fargo Advisors & George N. Venizelos. The show’s grand finale where top riders and horses compete against the time clock jumping formidable obstacles at racehorse speeds.

About The EQUUS Foundation, Inc.
The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., established in August 2002, as a 501(c)(3) national charitable foundation, seeks to raise public awareness of the value of the horse in society through education and the awarding of grants to charities that use the horse to benefit the public, promote the health and welfare of horses, and elevate the equestrian sport as a whole. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of horses and people who can benefit from their unique ability to empower, teach, and heal.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for the selection of the grant recipients. The Board includes: Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman; Catherine Herman, Vice Chairman; Jane FitzGerald, Secretary/Treasurer; Lynn Coakley, President; David Distler, Gray Fadden, David Goodwin, Patricia Keenan, Frank Madden, Richard Mitchell DVM, Clea Newman Soderlund, Elizabeth Press, Susan Weber and Visse Wedell.

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, The EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and horses each year. Over $1.5 million in grants has been awarded since the first awards in 2003. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. For more information, please contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, website: http://www.equusfoundation.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

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