Darien, Conn. – June 16, 2019 – The final day at the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund, saw the $500 Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by RIDE, showcase talented young athletes and their ponies to conclude a week of competition. After 22 entries tried their hand at the course, it was Emilia Richard and Blue Chip who captured the day’s top scores to walk away with a blue ribbon.
For the class, entries consisted of small, medium and large ponies accumulating points over two rounds of competition. In the first round young competitors tackled eight fences on course, designed by Eric Mayberry, before returning for a second classic round. Each round was given a numerical score based on smoothness and consistency.
Laying down two smooth trips, Richard and the Heritage Farm-owned pony, Blue Chip, navigated the two courses with ease, competing in the Medium Pony Hunter division as well as the Classic. In round one of competition, the pair scored an impressive high of 85 points, putting them in a good position heading into the final classic round. Returning to the ring, the pair maintained consistency by scoring a 79 from judges, solidifying them as the winners with a total of 164 cumulative points. Thanks to their series of high-scoring performances throughout divisional competition, Richard and Blue Chip were also awarded with the championship tricolor in the Medium Pony Hunter. Up next, Richard and the 15-year-old gelding will head to the Fairfield County Hunt Club’s June Benefit Show, and at the end of the summer the two will travel to USEF Pony Finals in Lexington, Kentucky to compete against the best in the country.
Additionally awarded on the final day of competition at the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show was the Lydia F. Theurkauf Memorial Trophy. The prestigious award, graciously donated by Judy Richer, is presented to the Best Child Rider on a Pony. This year, the award was given to Aiva Gamelin for accumulating the most points throughout the day in the various pony divisions.
Hunter competition has officially wrapped up at the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show. Hosted at the Ox Ridge Riding and Racquet Club, the historic horse show saw successful competition of junior, amateur, and professional athletes in various divisions.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Emilia Richards – $500 Pony Hunter Classic winner
On Blue Chip:
“On the ground he’s kind of a shark, but other than that he is a really good boy. He was really good. I’m going to Fairfield with him next and we are going to do Pony Finals, too. I really like the prizes and the ribbons here [at Ox Ridge].”
For more information, please visit oxridge.com/horse-shows.