Fairfield County Hunt Club: Next Week's Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show - Exciting Equestrian Competition, Philanthrophy & Family Fun!

Source: News Release/Lynn Coakley for PMG Inc.

Next Week's Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show -
Exciting Equestrian Competition, Philanthrophy & Family Fun!

WESTPORT, CT - The Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show starting next week on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, promises action packed equestrian competition, and is a great family activity.

With free admission and free parking all week, the public is welcome to come watch national and local equestrians of all ages compete, shop at the onsite boutiques, and take advantage of the full service, gourmet food and beverage concession offering refreshments, breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

The show's generous individual and corporate sponsors will be on hand throughout the week to present awards to the ribbon winners of more than 250 classes. Official Sponsors include Ariat International, Audi Fairfield, Mercedes Benz of Fairfield, and Porsche of Fairfield, Moffly Media, Nestlè Waters North America and Wells Fargo Advisors and George N. Venizelos. New this year, Terrain of Westport has signed on as the Garden Sponsor to decorate the Winner's Circle.

The show benefits the EQUUS Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) charitable foundation dedicated to ensuring the well-being of horses, fostering the horse-human bond, enabling the therapeutic use of horses and educating the public on the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal.

Trip of the Day Award
sponsored by EQUUS Foundation

Armbands will be on sale in the horse show office and in the VIP Tent for a $20 tax-deductible donation.

New this year, exhibitors can display their support for horse welfare by wearing the Official EQUUS Foundation Armband and compete for the Trip of the Day Award sponsored by the EQUUS Foundation The judges will select the "Best Ride each day in each competition ring" from among those competitors wearing the armband.

Winners will receive the official "Best Ride" ribbon and will be included in the next year's Parade of Champions in the show program. Spectators are also welcome to wear the armband to show support.

Thursday afternoon, June 20, and Saturday, June 22, will feature top show jumping competition and social activities for the general public!

On Thursday, competitors and spectators are invited to attend the "Meet & Greet Wine & Cheese Party" from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the VIP Tent to watch the $7,500 Poland Spring Welcome Jumper Stake. The wine has been graciously donated by the Country Liquor Store on Newtown Turnpike in Westport.

The $7,500 Poland Spring Welcome Jumper Stake presented by Nestlè Waters North America provides the opportunity for a dry run before most of these same riders and horses compete in Saturday's Grand Prix.

Thursday will also feature the Earth Animal Pet Parade from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All pets are welcome and invited to assemble with their owners on the Clubhouse lawn for the parade followed by tricks and treats.

It's free!

Register your pet online at www.equusfoundation.org/pet-parade.

Saturday's featured events start with Family Fun Day from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. sponsored by Nestlè Waters North America - with free pony rides, a horseless horse show and arts & crafts by The Giggling Pig.

Official Automotive Sponsors Audi Fairfield, Mercedes Benz of Fairfield and Porsche of Fairfield will form the motorcade for the opening ceremonies of the $25,000 Grand Prix starting at 1:00 p.m.

United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Senior VP Sonja Keating will present the Heritage Competition Award to Tom Mullen, the Club's President. The Heritage designation is the highest honor that can be achieved to a horse show in the United States by the USEF, the governing body of the equestrian sport. Only 16 horse shows of the more than 2,600 USEF competitions claim this distinction.

Also participating in the opening ceremonies will be Horse Show Co-Chairs Jane Henderson, Michele Ippolito and Jennifer Ross along with EQUUS Foundation President, Lynn Coakley, to offer best wishes to the Club on its 90th Birthday.

Saturday's grand finale is the $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix presented by Wells Fargo Advisors and George N. Venizelos starting at 1:30 p.m.

World renowned course designer Richard Jeffery was selected to design the challenging course of obstacles. The route chosen and every obstacle are designed to test the athletic prowess, speed and endurance of the world's best jumping horses and their riders.

For those who wish to watch the Grand Prix ringside in style, the EQUUS Foundation will hold its benefit luncheon in conjunction with the Grand Prix starting at 11:30 a.m. The event will include a champagne reception, silent auction, and elegant luncheon served in the VIP Tent reserved exclusively for the guests of the EQUUS Foundation. Seating is available at $250 per person. Advance purchase is strongly suggested.

The Silent Auction will feature a myriad of unique offerings by Ariat International, Bartolo Restaurant, Caribiner's Indoor Climbing, Coastal Fine Finishes, Delamar Southport Hotel, The Dressing Room, Fairfield Hot Yoga, Fairfield Fencing Academy, The Field House, The Fit Club, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Flower, Freedom Health LLC, Gymnastics & Cheerleading Academy (GCA), Hampton Classic Horse Show, Imperial Dental Associates, PC, Kieve Wavus Education, Inc., Dr. Robert & Carol Klimek, Margaret Bondy Interiors, Newman's Own, Osianna - A Mediterranian Taverna, Pegasus Equine Biomechanics, Reflections Photography, Shine Salonspa, Silver of Westport, Inc., Mike Snider, Venture Photography and Viking Yachts.

Also new this year, the Horse Stars Hall of Fame Gallery will be on display in the VIP Tent. The hall of fame was established by EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation to share the stories of extraordinary horses both as athletes and humanitarians and to build a more informed and compassionate America that values the magical and powerful impact of horses in our lives.

Admission will be by wrist band at $20 per person which includes show days Tuesday through Friday. Complimentary coffee will be available each morning - along with complimentary water provided by Nestle Waters North America all day. All VIP Guests are welcome to present ribbons to class winners. View the Horse Stars Hall of Fame online at www.horsestarshalloffame.org.