June Horse Show
June Horse Show Dates

Two for Two - Shulman & HH Narcos Du Marais Triumph in $25,000 Fairfield Grand Prix

WESTPORT, CT - June 24, 2013 - It was "Two for Two" for rider Sydney Shulman and horse HH Narcos Du Marais at the $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 22, 2013, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, Connecticut benefiting the EQUUS Foundation. Shulman won last year's Grand Prix at the Fairfield Horse Show aboard Gun Du Desfi, and HH Narcos Du Marais with his former rider, Christina Kelly, won the 2011 Fairfield Grand Prix.

Owned by the Shulman's Back Country Farm, the Shulman family joined Grand Prix presenting sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors & George N. Venizelos, to present the top honor. Over 400 guests of the EQUUS Foundation and hundreds more spectators applauded Shulman's win over the 21 other competitors that attempted the demanding course designed by world renowned course designer Richard Jeffreys.

Grand Prix Presentation Left to right with Sidney Shulman on HH Narcos Du Marais: John E. Franzreb III, Krista Goosen, Alex Pielet, Jill Shulman, Jane Henderson, Jennifer Ross, Gregory Venizelos, George N. Venizelos, Frederick Ablabob, Michele Ippolito, Jenny Belknap Kees, Lynn Coakley, and David Shulman.
Photo above courtesy of Reflections Photography

Shulman on HH Narcos Du Marais
Photo above courtesy of Reflections Photography

The top finishers (2nd through 6th) included My Pleasure ridden by Peter Leone and owned by My Pleasure, LLC, Londinium ridden by Lillie Keenan and owned by Chansonette Farm, Oscar 72 ridden by Lauren M. Ward and owned by McLain Ward, Blink ridden by Jacob Pope and owned by Coker Farm and Copilot ridden & owned by Jackie McQuade.

"It's a year for celebration - the Club's 90th Birthday and the Foundation's 10th Birthday," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President, as she addressed the crowds in the opening ceremonies and recognized the three horse show co-chairs, Jane Henderson, Michele Ippolito, and Jennifer Ross, for their contributions to making the horse show a tremendous success.

Heritage Competition Presentation
Left to right: Jane Henderson, Jane Dow Burt, Tom Mullen, Jennifer Ross, Michele Ippolito and John E. Franzreb III.
Photo above courtesy of Reflections Photography

"This is a special year in another important way," continued Coakley. "Thanks to the expertise of the current show managers, William Aguirre and JP Godard, and their long standing predecessor Billy Glass - and in recognition of the Club's commitment to philanthropy and community, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) designated the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show as a USEF Heritage Competition."

The Heritage Designation is the highest honor that can be bestowed to a horse show. Only 16 of more than 2,500 horse shows in the United States have been honored with this distinction. Jane Dow Burt, representing the USEF, presented the award to Club President Tom Mullen.



The show's generous individual and corporate sponsors were on hand throughout the week to present awards to local and national competitors. All ages compete for the ribbons.

Corporate sponsors included Official Sponsors - Ariat International, Audi Fairfield, Mercedes Benz of Fairfield, Moffly Media, Nestlè Waters North America, Porsche of Fairfield, Terrain of Westport, Wells Fargo Advisors & George N. Venizelos; Gold Medal Sponsors - Avenue Capital Group, Fairfield Equine Associates and Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Global Corporate Services; Silver Medal Sponsors - Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Hi Ho Petroleum, Hospital for Special Surgery, Imperial Dental Associates, Kennedy Equine Transport, and Margaret Bondy Interiors; Bronze Medal Sponsors - Agriventures Agway and Wynatte Chu, DDS.

Welcome Jumper Presentation

Amateur Owner/Junior Jumper Classic Winner

Photos above courtesy of Reflections Photography.

Ribbon Winner
Caroline Passarelli

On Thursday, the featured events were the $7,500 Poland Spring Welcome Jumper Stake presented by Official Beverage Sponsor, Nestlè Waters North America and the $3,000 High Amateur Owner (AO)/Junior Jumper Classic presented by Official Automotive Sponsor, Audi Fairfield, Mercedes Benz of Fairfield and Porsche of Fairfield.

James A. North aboard The Man To See owned by Fair Play Farm claimed victory in the Welcome Stake. On hand to present the awards were (left to right upper left photo) Jane Henderson, Elizabeth Crossfield, Michele Ippolito and Jennifer Ross.

Automotive Sponsor Representative David Koczak joined horse show co-chair Jennifer Ross to present the blue ribbon and trophy to Zacca Zoeloe ridden by Brittni A. Raflowitz and owned by Maarten Huygens, winner of the AO/Junior Jumper Classic (lower left photo).

More to Come about Philanthropy and Community at Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show . . .

About The EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of horses, fostering the horse-human bond, advancing the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to power, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.