Inaugural equine/philanthropy event helps area nonprofits
The Children’s Charity Classic show jumping competition kicked off with wintry weather as a new tradition for Ocala and Marion County began.
Kaitlyn Linck as the Wicked Witch of the West Wizard of Oz team clears a jump with Chronicle during the Inaugural $25,000 Children’s Charity Classic presented by the United Way of Marion County at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, February 21, 2025. The Harry Potter team won the event. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
The night was chilly. The competition was fierce. The costumes were over the top, as were the horses and riders.
Welcome to the inaugural Children’s Charity Classic at HITS Post Time Farm west of Ocala.
The unique new show jumping event, organized by United Way of Marion County, featured riders and horses adorned in fun costumes based on pre-selected classic children’s books. Proceeds from the event will go to 10 local agencies and programs.
The winning “Harry Potter” team, with rider Dana Waters teamed with the nonprofit Arnette House, brought home $30,000. The other nonprofits, riders, themes and donations are:
• Strong Families, Lee Hughes, “Mary Poppins,” $15,000
• The Pearl Project, Tracey Fenney, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” $10,000
• SMA Health Care, Emil Spadone Redfield, “Cat in the Hat,” $8,000
• Episcopal Children’s Services, Dorrie Douglas, “Charlotte’s Web,” $7,000
• Earning $5,000 each were the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, Annie Dotoli, “Where the Wild Things Are”; Early Learning Coalition, Meagan Wexler, “Wizard of Oz”: Community Partnership Schools, Morgan Ward, “Pippi Longstocking”; Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, Patty Foster, “Peter Pan”: and Reading Pals, David Jennings, “Curious George”
The team awards from the event totaled $95,000.
“An additional $5,000 came from a match for peer-to-peer fundraising,” noted Beth Nelson, UWMC’s vice president for community impact.
The event was envisioned two years ago by Niki Tripodi, United Way’s vice president of resource development, who saw an equestrian event that combined a love of horses and philanthropy and felt it would be a good fit for Ocala. Each participating organization in the classic was selected from a pool of applicants that proposed innovative programs to support children and families.
“I’m eternally grateful for every single individual and company that supported the Children’s Charity Classic and generously gave their time, talent and treasure. I held tightly to the concept of this unique fundraiser for years. Friday night was the result of staying the course and surrounding yourself with people who are like-minded, and heart centered. It was important that everyone involved had fun from conception to completion. We did just that,” Tripodi said after the event.
She indicated in her email message that the event will be held again next year.
“Watching the teams in costume fill the arena was like something out of a fairytale. It was easy to see each rider’s zeal and I am pretty sure all 30 horses were smiling. If you haven’t experienced the CCCs magic and high joy energy, don’t worry, we will be back in 2026 to help children in need,” she wrote.
“We are grateful to HITS, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and our other sponsors. Our sponsors made it possible to give $100,000 to children’s charities,” said Robert Haight, president and CEO of United Way of Marion County.
“We had important goals as the primary sponsor of the inaugural Children’s Charity Classic. We sought to rally donors to provide major financial support for 10 worthy charities that serve and care for children in Marion County,” said Alan Keesee, CEO of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, via email.
“We also wanted the equestrian community to partner as a catalyst to raise these much-needed resources. We’re grateful to the community for the fantastic turnout and response of the donors to help us achieve these goals, and we look forward to the next Children’s Charity Classic,” he added.
The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will continue through March 23 at HITS Post Time Farm, west of Ocala, with top-level USEF-rated shows.
To learn more about HITS, go to hitsshows.com/hits-events/hits-ocala-winter-circuit
To keep tabs on United Way of Marion County’s next equine charity event, go to uwmc.org/childrens-charity-classic
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