Reporting by Leah

The Hampton Classic Horse Show returned for its 35th year, August 29 throughSeptember 5, 2010, bringing exciting equestrian competition back to Bridgehampton, New York. In a busy Hampton summer season, The Hampton Classic Horse Show was a not-to-be-missed event and considered one of thesocial highlights of the Hamptons’social circuit.Celebrity riders and spectatorsturned out in large numbers to see and be seen at this excitingevent. This year’s Hampton Classic was one of the best ever and even Hurricane Earl could not dampen this Classic.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show featured more than 70 boutiques, an international food court, pony rides, zoo animals, special attractions, and much more. The highlight of the Horse Showwas onSunday, September 5, with the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier, and a VIP tent full of celebrities, notable locals, politiciansand Horse Show enthusiasts. TheHorse Showtook place on 240 Snake Hollow Road, off of Montauk Highway, Route 27, in Bridgehampton.

Admission was $10 per person; $20 per carload; Children under six were admitted free daily. On Saturday, September 4, children under 12were admitted free. Seniorswere admitted free Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Reserved Grandstand Seats (numbered bench seating) for Grand Prix Sunday (September 5) cost an additional $20 per person; Premium Center-section reserved seats on Grand Prix Sunday cost $30 per person.

Located on its beautiful 60-acre show grounds, the Hampton Classic featured world-class show jumping competition highlighted by the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier on Sunday, September 5, which was open to horses that successfully completed onFriday’s $50,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix Qualifier. This exciting class features Olympians, World Champions and USEF veterans such as two-time Olympic team Gold Medalist McLain Ward, who won the Grand Prix last year for a record fourth time.

“The 35th anniversary of the Hampton Classic will once again offer the nation’s top riders and equine athletes, as well as youth and amateur competitors, a chance to show off their immense skill and talent, as they ride for prestigious titles and more than a half million dollars in prize money,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, Executive Director of the Hampton Classic. “In addition to the exciting equestrian competition, there is theExhibition Tent with family attractions and of course our Boutique Garden with over 70 vendors for some unrivaled shopping!”

A variety of seminars and activities hosted by the ASPCA took place throughout the horse show including Adoption Day at the Classic on Monday, August 30, when three local animal shelters and four local rescue groups featured animals available for adoption. Warriors Way, a former racehorse who is now a successful show horse, also made a special appearance on Adoption Day.

Celebrity VIP hosts for the event included international Grand Prix rider Georgina Bloomberg, the ASPCA’s Equine Welfare Ambassador, and Jill Rappaport, the “Today” show’s Animal Welfare Correspondent and best-selling author. Other knowledgeable professionals conducted seminars and answering questions throughout the ASPCA’s activities at the Classic.

Cablevision’s Kids’ Day, on Saturday, September 4, featured pony rides and children’s activities throughout the day.Kids under 12were admitted free and received a complimentary pony ride. There were drawings for prizes.

The Exhibition Tent allowed visitors to enjoy pony rides, exhibitions and the special “Kids-Teaching-Kids” pony care program. The Boutique Garden featured everything from Hampton Classic souvenirs to fine custom clothing, as well as auto display tents including Jaguar and Land Rover.

For those of you who couldn’t make it to the show grounds, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcast up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts could also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.

Schedule
Opening Day, Sunday, August 29:
Opening Day Ceremonies will take place in the Grand Prix Ring

$20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge

Monday, August 30:

Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities

ASPCA Adoption Day at the Hampton Classic

ASPCA Animal Behavior Clinic

Shop in the Boutique Garden or visit the Exhibition Tent

Tuesday, August 31:

$30,000 7 & 8 Year old Young Jumper Championship

Newsday Open Jumper Class in the Grand Prix Ring

Brown Harris Stevens Open Jumper Class in the Grand Prix Ring

Wednesday, September 1:

SHF Enterprises 5-year-old & Split Rock Farm 6-year-old Young Jumper Championships

Wlffer Estate Open Jumper Class in the Grand Prix Ring

1.50 meter Open Jumper Class

Thursday, September 2:

East Coast Young Jumper Championship

$2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Hunter Classic

$10,000 Sam Edelman Equitation Championship – Round 1

Prudential Douglas Elliman Open Jumper Class

Friday, September 3:

$10,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Welcome Stake

$50,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix Qualifier

Exhibitor Party with a “horseless horse show” to benefit JustWorld International

Cablevision’s Kids Day, Saturday, September 4:

Children’s Activities & Performers (10am – 2pm)

$10,000 Sam Edelman Equitation Championship – Finals

$20,000 SHF Enterprises 5-year-old Young Jumper Championship – Finals

$30,000 Split Rock Farm 6-year-old Young Jumper Championship – Finals

$30,000 FENDI Cup

Pony Hunters

Grand Prix “Super Sunday,” Sunday, September 5

$30,000 7- & 8-year-old Young Jumper Championship – Finals

$25,000 Carolex Show Jumping Derby

$10,000 Herms Hunter Classic

$250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier

For more information onthe Hampton Classic Horse Show please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com.The Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.

Sources: Classic Communications; Hampton Classic Horse Show