June Horse Show

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Double H Farm's HH Fleur and Mclain Ward Victorious at Fairfield

WESTPORT, CT - June 26, 2014 - Cheered on by hundreds of spectators and over 350 guests at the EQUUS Foundation Grand Prix Benefit Luncheon, Mclain Ward and HH Fleur owned by Double H Farm claimed the title of Best Performance and victory over a field of 28 competitors at the $25,000 Grand Prix presented on Saturday, June 21, 2014, by Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and George N. Venizelos.

The Grand Prix was the culminating event of the five-day Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show held in Westport, Connecticut to benefit the EQUUS Foundation. Carneyhaugh owned by Katherine A. Gallagher and ridden by Peter E. Lutz claimed second, and Attack II, ridden by Amanda L. Derbyshire and owned by David Gochman came in third.

2014 $25,000 Grand Prix Winner
Left to Right: John E. Franzreb III; Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President; George N. Venizelos; Catherine Herman & Sean Hogan,
Horse Show Co-Chairs; Jenny Belknap Kees, EQUUS Foundation Chairman; and Robert Green, CFO, GE Capital.
Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

The EQUUS Foundation wishes to express its deepest condolences to Mclain Ward and the entire Castle Hill Family on the loss of the great show jumping mare Sapphire who died on June 22, 2014. Among the countless honors earned by this extraordinary horse, "Sara" was among the first to be inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame established in 2013. Read more about Sapphire here.

2014 $25,000 Grand Prix Winner in Action

2014 $25,000 Grand Prix Winner in Action

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 Winner’s Circle & Corporate Partners: Animal Planet, Ariat International, Nestle Waters North America, Wells Fargo Advisors LLC & George N. Venizelos, Westport Magazine/Moffly Media; Gold: Avenue Capital Group, Fairfield Equine Associates, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Global Corporate Services; Silver: Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Hi Ho Petroleum, Hospital for Special Surgery, Imperial Dental Associates, Kennedy Equine Transport, Margaret Bondy Interiors.

As the guests arrived for the EQUUS Foundation luncheon and spectators enjoyed Family Fun Day activities sponsored by Nestle Waters North America, competitors were vying for the top honors in the $2,500 Adult Jumper Classic.

2014 $2,500 Adult Jumper Classic Winner

Claiming victory was Nerval De La Batia owned by Jennifer Gates, ridden by Andrea Hippeau, trained by Alan Griffin and presented by (top left - left to right) John E. Franzreb III; Alan Griffin; Heather Lange, Brody Wilkinson PC; and Molly Summerton. Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

2014 $7,500 Poland Spring Welcome Stake Winner

On Thursday, the featured event was the $7,500 Poland Spring Welcome Jumper Stake presented by Nestle Waters North America.

Amanda Derbyshire aboard Goldbreaker owned by David Gochman and Amanda Derbyshire claimed victory in the Welcome Stake. On hand to present the awards were (bottom left - left to right) John E. Franzreb III; Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President; and John A. Blackburn, AIA.

Following the awards presentation, Blackburn autographed copies of his book, Healthy Stables by Design and discussed his approach to equestrian architecture that places the safety and well-being of the horse as top priority. All author proceeds from Healthy Stables by Design were donated to the EQUUS Foundation.

Congratulations to the Best Performance Winners!
The Fairfield show partnered with the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to support horse welfare and competitive excellence by offering the Best Performance Competition.

• Austin - Sara McCloskey (Rider/Owner)
• Braddock - Lucas Mejia Fanjul (Rider) & Jeffrey Ayers (Owner)
• Celebration - Michaela Pritchett (Rider) & Halo Capital (Owner)
• Cicoco - Caroline Parsons (Rider/Owner)
• Clovermeade Brother Bunny - Ellie Ferrigno (Rider) & Rabbit Hill Farm (Owner)
• Contino 44 - Alexandra Pielet (Rider) & Co-Pielet, LLC (Owner)
• Evian Van Hat Scheefkasteer - Aidan Killeen (Rider) & Elizabeth McKay (Owner)
• Fredrick - Becky Gochman (Rider) & David Gochman (Owner)
• Helio Rouge - Ali Tritschler (Rider/Owner)
• Legacy - Tracy Thomson (Rider/Owner)
• Poker Face - Jennifer Bliss (Rider) & C Harris Hill Farm, LLC (Owner)
• Pop Rocks - Sophia Pilla (Rider) & Piccolo Farm (Owner)
• Renaldo - Alexander Pa Florian (Rider) & Katherine Joseph (Owner)
• They Say - Page Soper (Rider/Owner)
• Tixou Des Etisses - Aidan Killeen (Rider) & Tricolor Sales LLC (Owner)
• Watkiekie - Aidan Killeen (Rider) & Ariane Stiegler (Owner)

Click here for more information on the Best Performance Competition.

It All Starts Here . . .

2014 Leadline Exhibitor Manuela Mejia Fanjul led by proud father Juan Pablo.
Photo courtesy of Reflections Photography.

Always a highlight and the kickoff to the Grand Prix, the Leadline class was sponsored by Westport Magazine/Moffly Media. On hand to present the awards were Gabriella Mays with her husband, Tucker Mays, and Sharon Kress.

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

About EQUUS Foundation: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, 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.