From vision to legacy
The Children’s Charity Classic pairs equine sports with philanthropy and local nonprofits are the winners.
Hannah Matts, who was riding for the Battleship team, clears a jump with Larson during the Children’s Charity Classic at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
The second annual United Way of Marion County Children’s Charity Classic once again merged a fun evening of equine show jumping with sponsors and supporters and ended with 10 area nonprofits receiving grants to further their programs.
The event took place Feb. 20 at the HITS Post Time Farm 13710 US Highway 27, west of Ocala. The inaugural event in 2025 featured riders and nonprofits paired under a theme of children’s books. This year’s classic showcased a theme of board games.
The idea of hosting the classic in Ocala came from United Way of Marion County Vice President of Resource Development Niki Tripodi.
According to a post-event news release, “the riders and horses competed fervently, adorned in costume. The event started with an idea from Niki and the creation of a vision for a community signature event based on our culture. There is pride among the staff and volunteers who created an identity for our United Way. In some ways, we returned to our roots. Bonnie Heath, whose horse Needles won the Kentucky Derby, was one of the founders in 1961. Hopefully, the United Way’s Children’s Classic will be a community legacy event.”
In its two years, the event has raised more than $225,000.
“Our vision for the Children’s Charity Classic will continue to grow. This year, three new charities were selected to be among the 10 beneficiaries. Local celebrities enjoyed the evening, including professional golfer Louis Oosthuizen, from South Africa, winner of the Open Championship and many other global events. He was one of several international guests and competitors from the world circuit,” the release noted.
“The United Way of Marion County’s Children’s Charity Classic was once again inspired philanthropy from the equine community, businesses and children’s charities, providing service to our ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) residents. The second annual Children’s Charity Classic was wildly successful, filling the hearts of so many who attended. This vision for extraordinary change ensures that support from its donors, along with the Grand Prix Sponsor, HCA Florida Healthcare, which returned this year, will directly impact local children’s causes, making a tangible difference where it’s needed most,” according to United Way.
The benefiting agencies, the proceeds they earned and the games they represented this year were:
- Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, $30,000, Battleship
- Episcopal Children’s Services, $15,000, Twister
- The Pearl Project, $10,000, Scrabble
- Community Partnership Schools, $8,000, Candyland
- Strong Families, $7,500, Uno
- Grateful Hearts Educational Resource Center, $7,000, Operation
- CASA Marion, $6,000, Clue
- Cornerstone School, $5,500, Monopoly
- Reading Pals, $5,500, Chess
- SMA Healthcare, $5,500, Hungry Hungry Hippo
Total = $100,000
Kimberly’s Center also received a $15,700 bonus from fundraising during the evening, as their team finished in first place. They will receive a total of $ 45,700 thanks to Team Battleship and generous donors. E-ONE was the sponsor of Team Battleship.
“In just two short years, United Way’s Children Charity Classic has moved from a vision to a community legacy event benefiting children in Marion County. Niki Tripodi and her volunteer chair, Kourtney Corcoran, have created the classic with the motto HFP—Horses, Fun and Philanthropy,” said Robert Haight, president and CEO.
To learn more, go to uwmc.org
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