|
The Ox Ridge Hunt Club was founded in 1914.
The present property of thirty-seven acres was formerly owned
by the opera singer, John McCormick. He operated this property,
in addition to some adjacent properties, as a dairy farm. Some
of our facilities still stand symbolically to his operation. The
dining area was once John's milkhouse, and the Clubhouse was his
icehouse, both built to stay, and converted handsomely to their
present purposes. The polo barn housed dairy cattle until the
barn was converted to stable horses. The Club's name in itself
represents the use of oxen in John's operation, as well as the
ridge that crowns our polo field.
In 1929, a man by the name of Otto Heuckeroth
came to ride; he was to remain for over forty years as the nationally
famed manager of Ox Ridge. Miss V. Felicia Townsend had already
been in reign of a top instructional program for two years. Their
combined efforts are still felt today through some of their more
successful students; George Morris, Ronnie Mutch, Victor Hugo-Vidal
and Otto's daughter, Patty Heuckeroth. These names are the trend-setters
in Hunter Seat Equitation today.
The Ox Ridge Hunt Club has hosted a number
of important, nationally recognized horse shows over the years,
including our own Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show and the Ox Ridge
Dressage Horse Show. The Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show has a seventy-five
year history and has featured internationally famous riders in
breathtaking exhibitions of Show Jumping at its very best for
five days in June
Operational
The Club is a non-profit organization in which all Active members hold an equal
share in ownership. The Club is governed by the Board of Stewards which acts as
a representative body of the membership. The Board, by guidelines of established
by-laws, meets on a monthly basis throughout the year to provide sound financial
management and to insure that we continue to be the finest Equestrian Club in the
United States and the educational center of the horse industry. The Club's fiscal
year begins October 1 and ends September 30. There is an annual meeting of the
Active members in November during which the officers of the Board provide the Active
membership with a summary of the previous year's activities as well as expectations
for the upcoming year. Elections of new officers are held in November. There are also
appointed committees that serve various interests of the membership and help by
providing the Board of Stewards with their recommendations.
Facility
Our extensive indoor and outdoor facilities
represent some of the finest in Fairfield County. The Club is
situated on thirty-seven acres, twenty-two of which consist of
the beautiful front field that is used for a variety of riding
activities through the summer. The field provides the premier
setting for our June Show and recognized dressage competitions.
In addition, the field is used on a regular basis by members for
instruction, horse show and pleasure riding.
The Club has two outdoor rings, one of which
is 178 x 278, and a 200 x 100 foot indoor arena with seating.
The stabling accommodates seventy 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. In respect to fire concerns, the feed room is separated
by fire walls, fire extinguishers are located throughout the facility,
as well as an electronic heat detection system monitored by a
professional service. The Club also maintains the services of
a night watchman to help insure the utmost in care and surveillance
of the horses each evening. The stables have access to twelve
turnout areas that are all independent of each other.
The Clubhouse accommodates various social
functions throughout the year, and provides a warm social setting
for members to enjoy following rides. The Clubhouse also houses
a very comfortable viewing area during the winter months.
|
