CHARITY CHALLENGE - RIDE N DRIVE
The Fox Lea Farm annual Ride N Drive Charity Challenge was started in 2022, as a fun way Fox Lea Farm can support our community Charities. The Ride N Drive brings together horse and riders from the show and drivers and navigators from a group of local charities, who team up in an exciting relay event. With support from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Sertoma, the teams – each representing their respective charity- compete for “Prize Money” made up of donations and fundraising efforts around the event.
The Ride N Drive event has become an integral part of the Venice Equestrian Tour at Fox Lea Farm, and always provides some great laughs and photo opportunities while doing good in our community!
Fox Lea Foundation plans to take this event to the next level in 2027, and it will be held as a standalone event on Saturday, February 27, 2027. Watch this space and follow our social media links for upcoming news and announcements about the next event!
2026 RESULTS
2026 Charity Ride & Drive — 11 Charities, One Incredible Cause!
The Fifth Annual Ride N Drive Charity Challenge, presented by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Fox Lea Foundation, and Sertoma of Venice, was an unforgettable celebration of teamwork and heart. Eleven teams of horse-and-rider pairs joined forces with golf cart drivers and navigators for a relay-style showdown that had the crowd cheering, laughing, and rallying behind their favorite charities. What a night of community spirit and meaningful impact!
Wilhelmina Horzepa aboard Grace (owned by Wilhelmina Horzepa) raced for Children First, alongside driver John Holic and navigator Elizabeth Stamoulis.
Lauren Gazell riding Amon (owned by Leah Mifsud) represented Womens Sertoma, with Kathy Clark driving and Nancy Lustenberger navigating.
Kaitlyn Nussel with ESH Shaqiri (owned by Kaitlyn Nussel) supported Family Promise, teamed with driver Michael Bacon and navigator Paul Cernansky.
4th. Lillian Matthews & Down To The Wire (owned by Lillian Matthews) — Sertoma Club of Venice — Driver: Brian Dean | Navigator: Aundria Castleberry
5th. Susana De La Vara & Cade Cabernet (owned by Susana De La Vara) — Venice Chamber Foundation — Driver: Paul Cernansky | Navigator: Charlie Thorpe
6th. Ava Jacobs & Kingdom (owned by Christina Kelly) — Venice High School Chorus — Driver: Angie Borghesi | Navigator: Hannah Ferguson
7th. Ellison Neumann & Conmigo (owned by Serah Vogus Cassells) — Rotary Futures — Driver: Heather Masden | Navigator: Kent Masden
8th. Emma Johnston & Quarismo 4 (owned by Amundson) — Venice/Nokomis Rotary — Driver: Casey Riley | Navigator: Greg Jacobs
9th. Cate Meyer & Cakebread (owned by Beth Harrison Meyer) — ONCC Foundation — Driver: Chad Hazeltine | Navigator: Steve Armstrong
10th. Clara Mas & Coco Chanel (owned by Clara Mas) — TWIG — Driver: Chad Hazeltine | Navigator: Chance Hazeltine
11th. Sofia Richardella & RSH Galaxy Dream (owned by Emily Lebowitz) — Laurel Civic — Driver: Bill May | Navigator: Johnny Castleberry
From quick turns to cart coordination, every team brought enthusiasm and generosity to the arena. A tremendous thank you to all riders, drivers, navigators, sponsors, and supporters who made this charitable evening such a powerful success for our local community!
Photos Courtesy of @foreverphotoco