81st Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show

FIRST COUNTY BANK CO-SPONSORS HORSE SHOW

-- Ox Ridge Charity Event to Benefit Stamford Hospital --

STAMFORD, Conn., May 31, 2011 --  First County Bank is co-sponsoring the 81^st Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show to benefit the Stamford Hospital Foundation.  This is the second year First County has participated in this historic event and is the exclusive sponsor of the VIP tent that will offer free continental breakfasts, newspapers, coffee, snacks and a shaded place to rest for the VIP table holders during the five-day event starting June 15.

On Saturday, June 18, from 5-7 p.m., the VIP tent will host a special fund-raiser to benefit The Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital.  Two hundred Stamford Hospital donors, club members, sponsors and show exhibitors will enjoy music, hors d'œuvres, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.  At this time the Ox Ridge Charity Horse show will present its donation to the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital.

The tent will also host Saturday’s Ice Cream Social at 3 p.m., sponsored by Pegasus Therapeutic Riding.  Pegasus, founded in 1975 at Ox Ridge Hunt Club, is a nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted activities and therapies to more than 200 children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.  During the season, Ox Ridge Hunt Club hosts the Pegasus program on Monday and Thursday nights.

And for Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, VIP tent spectators will have the best views of the $30,000 Grand Prix, typically the highlight of the show where some of the Olympian competitors will jump up to seven feet.

“We’re really happy to have First County Bank as a sponsor for a second year.  The bank has helped us on many levels.  And its ongoing support has enabled Ox Ridge Hunt Club to be successful,” said Flavia Callari, an Ox Ridge Hunt Club board member.  “As the VIP tent sponsor, First County will provide the best seats in the house for the $30,000 Grand Prix: A real crowd pleaser.”

“The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show is an exciting and entertaining event for all,” said Rey Giallongo, president of First County Bank.  “As corporate members of the Darien and lower Fairfield County community, it is our responsibility to help organizations raise money and awareness for worthy causes such as Stamford Hospital.  We look forward to a great event.”

Presenting sponsors include Callari Auto Group and Pegasus Therapeutic Riding; the Champion sponsors are Equestrian Services Intl. and Southern Tent; and the Reserve Champion sponsors are Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, Susan’s Canine Training and Stamford Anesthesiology Services.

The Ox Ridge Hunt Club is located at 512 Middlesex Road in Darien, Conn.  The show starts on Wednesday, June 15, and ends on Sunday, June 19.  On Wednesday and Thursday, June 15-16, spectators are allowed in to the show for free.  There is a $5.00 parking fee on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The show that typically attracts 8,000 to 10,000 attendees throughout the week will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.          

Ox Ridge Hunt Club, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit organization where all active members hold an equal share in ownership.  It is governed by a board of stewards that acts as a representative body of the membership.  The 37-acre property has three outdoor rings, one of which is 178’ x 278’ and an indoor ring that is 200’ x 100’ with spectator seating.  With the help of First County Bank, the club has upgraded its rings with ESI footing, a low maintenance, high performance synthetic material.  The stabling accommodates 70 horses and includes an outdoor wash area, an indoor heated wash room and several tack rooms.  A complete system of fans provides ventilation and comfort throughout the stable.  

First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn., is an independent mutual community bank with 15 branches in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport offering deposit products, mortgages, trust and investment services, business banking services and online banking.  First County Bank, which celebrates its 160^th anniversary this year, has more than 200 employees and assets in excess of $1.3 billion.  For additional information, please visit www.firstcountybank.com.

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Photo Caption (photo credit ESI Photography): Mclain Ward, winner of the 2010 Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show Grand Prix event held last June 20, lives in South Salem, N.Y.