Equestrians Delight As Hampton Classic Unfolds In Bridgehampton: Photos

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — After much anticipation, Opening Day of the 42nd Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show arrived in Bridgehampton on Sunday.

The VIP Tents were already bustling with activity and celebrities. Food vendors and Robbins Wolfe Catering/Eventeurs provided fare for guests — and the horses and riders demonstrated their prowess in competition and show.

Kids enjoyed pony rides, arts and crafts and farm animals.

Shopping fans had plenty to choose from, including saddles and riding accessories.

The show will run through Sunday — Grand Prix Sunday, the dramatic day that marks the impending end of the Hamptons season, and the beginning of the school year.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show is a beloved annual event, and "one of the most spectacular hunter-jumper equestrian events in the nation, showcasing the highest levels of the sport. The world-class event hosts hundreds of top riders and horses from all over the world," organizers said.

Opening day at the Classic is always reserved for Long Island's local equestrian community. 'Local Day' is open exclusively to horses who are stabled in Nassau or Suffolk County for at least 75 days since January of the calendar year, and hosts hunter divisions for amateurs and professionals alike.

Bridgehampton's Laura Bowery won the $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby with Catrine Golia's Royal Expectation.

"I've ridden at the Hampton Classic for 28 years and I'm riding a horse for one of my best friends," Bowery said, following the awards ceremony. "I've won some big classes in the Grand Prix ring and had good success with hunters here but to win this derby is a really big deal for me."

Jenny Dunion who operates Evermore Inc. in Water Mill, when asked to describe the significance of competing at the Classic to the local equestrian community, said, "Not only is this one of the most prestigious and most competitive shows we attend throughout the year — it's more important because we live here and our roots are here. Our friends and family come, compete and root for each other."

Full results of Local Day and all other competition events can be found by clicking here.

For those who can't make it to the show grounds, complimentary live webcasts of all Grand Prix ring competitions air on the Hampton Classicwebsite, produced by ShowNet. In addition, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.

Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography, soniboy@aol.com.

Additional reporting by Richard Lewin.