Darien, Conn. – June 26, 2019 – On the heels of the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show (ORCHS), presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charity Fund (LMCF), competitors, spectators and fans alike are raving about the event, which was held June 11-16 at the newly renovated Ox Ridge Riding and Racquet Club (ORRRC) in Darien, Connecticut. With new lifeblood recently infused into the facility and the historical horse show, event-goers were presented with a revamped version of the show that offered a wide variety of hunter, jumper and equitation classes while also giving back to the local community and equestrian industry.
A US Equestrian Heritage Competition attracting several of the best horses and riders from across the United States, the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show has a longstanding reputation of bringing riders and non-riders of all ages together to enjoy the competition and the show’s many social events throughout the week. This year, the show’s organizers took the ideals of “local day” to the next level by fully integrating the traditional local day classes into the weeklong schedule instead of focusing on a single day to celebrate the community’s equestrians. Additionally, the show significantly reduced fees for local exhibitors, resulting in an increase in local entries, while continuing to give back to the community by supporting beneficiaries such as Pegasus Therapeutic Riding and The Community Fund of Darien.
“We’re so grateful to have the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund’s support and partnership in our mission to increase accessibility to local riders and spectators,” said co-chair Flavia Callari. “Thanks to the LMCF’s efforts to foster inclusion at all levels and make the sport more accessible, the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show was able to offer more incentives for local riders to participate at our historical horse show.”
Taking notice of the long-standing competition and its mission to give back to the community, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund became the presenting sponsor of the 2019 event. The LMCF is a private philanthropic fund whose charitable endeavors reflect Lindsay Maxwell’s personal priorities and values, namely improving the lives of children with special needs; enabling access opportunities to education; and providing care, compassion and protection to animals.
When asked about the Fund’s involvement with the 2019 Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, Maxwell noted, “The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show’s history of advocating inclusion for the local equestrian community aligns with the Fund’s goals, so this partnership was a natural fit. As a Heritage competition, we want to ensure that this remarkable equestrian showcase continues for the next generation and beyond.”
The Ox Ridge Riding and Racquet Club not only hosts the charity horse show but offers an introduction to the sport through its beginner level riding programs while creating a destination for entire families to gather together. The ORRRC prides itself on being one of the few remaining true sports club environments where local families can gather to create a sense of community and camaraderie with other members from the community. Children can learn to ride without ever having sat on the back of a horse, while other members of the family can utilize the newly renovated facility by enjoying a game of squash, exercising in the gym or dining at the restaurant.
Through the support of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund and other generous supporters, the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show has undergone a rebirth as one of the top horse show destinations in the nation. Its mission to give back to the local community is paramount to its continued growth and success on both a grassroots and national level.
To learn more about the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, click here.
To learn more about the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund, click here.
