Pegasus Named Beneficiary of 83rd Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show Brewster, NY and Darien CT
April 16, 2013 – The Ox Ridge Horse Show Management Company has named Pegasus Therapeutic Riding as charitable beneficiary of the 83rd annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show. Net proceeds from the event, which will take place June 11-16 at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Conn., will support Pegasus’ programs for military veterans, people with special needs and at-risk individuals. Founded at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in 1975, Pegasus provides equine-assisted activities to 225 students a year at four regional chapters, including its main equestrian facility, Pegasus Farm in Brewster, N.Y. Students ages four and up participate in therapeutic horseback riding and unmounted programs that offer a wide range of physical, social, cognitive and emotional benefits. “Community support is absolutely essential to our success as a nonprofit human services organization,” noted Pegasus executive director Todd Gibbs. “More than 90 percent of our annual budget is funded by donations, and Ox Ridge’s generous offer to share their horse show’s proceeds will most definitely impact many lives here at Pegasus.” Now in its 83rd year, the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show is popular among renowned riders, including Olympians McLain Ward and Peter Leone. Geoffrey Wales and Georgina Bloomberg,
whose charitable program, The Rider’s Closet, is hosted by Pegasus, have also competed, as well as many world-class riders from overseas. The show draws over 7,000 spectators and more than 300 VIPs on Sunday to watch the $30,000 Grand Prix at Ox Ridge Hunt Club, a non-profit organization founded in 1914 on thirty-seven acres formerly owned by the opera singer John McCormick.
“I have personally witnessed lives being changed through Pegasus’ programs,” said Flavia Callari, an avid horsewoman, active Board member ORHC and VP Callari Auto Group, a sponsor of this year’s show. “I am delighted the legacy of love created when Pegasus was founded at Ox Ridge in 1975 will continue to be supported by the Show’s proceeds. We anticipate a terrific turnout for the Show this year, and we are working hard to gain support for next year in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of ORHC.” To sign up as a sponsor or for more information about the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, contact the club office at oxridgehuntclub@gmail.com . As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Pegasus will gratefully acknowledge the tax-deductible portion of each sponsorship as allowable by law. Pegasus Therapeutic Riding is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center. Its equine-assisted therapeutic services address a wide range of physical, cognitive, developmental, and emotional challenges, including multiple sclerosis, autism, PTSD, visual impairment, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Further information about Pegasus programs, how to become a volunteer, and how to make a contribution to help fund their mission is available at pegasustr.org or by calling (845) 669-8235. # # # Photo by Christine Fitzgerald: Pegasus student Isabel Kennedy of Redding, Conn., leads therapeutic horse Rosie during a winter Horses & Me class at Pegasus Farm.
Christine Fitzgerald Communications Director Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Phone: (845) 669-8235 x108 Fax: (845) 669-5249 cfitzgerald@pegasustr.org www.pegasustr.org
