44th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show Kicks Off

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — Under cloudy skies, the 44th Hampton Classic Horse Show kicked off Sunday with some of the event's youngest competitors.

The beloved annual equestrian event draws horses and riders from near and far; through Sept. 1, the Hampton Classic will host the highest levels of competition for hunter-jumper horses and riders of all ages and abilities.

From the youngest leadline riders, ages two and up, all the way to Olympic and World Champions, the prestigious Hampton Classic Horse Show "attracts the best of the best," a release said.

Sunday's Opening Day competition began at 9 a.m. with the very smallest of the week's competitors, lead-line riders ages two to four, followed by the groups for ages five to seven. They were each judged by Olympic Gold medal winner and Show Jumping Hall of Famer, Joe Fargis of Middleburg, VA.

The leadline division was sponsored by Laura Bowery of Sea-Aire Inc., and presented by Brennan’s Bit and Bridle.

Section Champions of the Leadline 2-4 years included:

1. Gemma Sydney Klein, Shenandoah Emperor, Bridgehampton
1. Althea Rose Berkhoffer, Ironwood’s Prestige, Montauk
1. Evelyn Davis, Turning Point, Bridgehampton
1. Ian Luca Roman, Buttons and Bows, Wellington, FL

Section Champions of the Leadline 5-7 years included:

1. Margot Whalen, Junior Mint, Sayville
1. Chloe Wassong, Strawberry Fields, Water Mill
1. Meridian Ising, Fancy Pants, New York, NY
1. Kendall Coleman, Lolli Pop, New York, NY

Official opening day ceremonies followed in the afternoon, with the introduction of officials and special guests before another highlight —the $30,000 Land Rover Jumper Challenge presented by Jaguar.

Executive Director of the Hampton Classic Shanette Barth Cohen welcomed Steve Bernstein, chief development officer from the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. Partnered with the Hampton Classic Horse Show since its inception, the hospital has been the recipient of more than $2 million in contributions from the Classic over the past 44 years, a release said.

Now in its 13th year, the Long Island Sportsmanship Award was presented to Raquel Batto — a member of the Long Island equestrian community for decades, Batto emigrated from Argentina with a degree in veterinary medicine, achieved citizenship and worked her way up from groom to stable manager to rider and is now a USEF certified instructor with her own business, a release said.

The world-class event hosts hundreds of top riders and horses from all over the world, competing over eight days for prestigious titles and more than $800,000 in prize money; the week builds towards the $300,000 DOHA.INC Grand Prix CSI4 on Sunday, Sept. 1, where the $30,000 LONGINES Rider Challenge will be awarded to the rider amassing the highest number of points from the show’s five FEI Jumper competitions, the release said.

The 65-acre Hampton Classic show grounds also offers food, daily kids' activities, and the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden and Stable Row feature more than 80 vendors.

Complimentary live webcasts of all Grand Prix ring competitions air on the Hampton Classic website, produced by ShowNet and courtesy of LONGINES. Complimentary live webcast of all Anne Aspinall ring competitions also air on the Hampton Classic website, produced by ShowNet and sponsored by RideTV. 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 during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online here. Most of the Classic’s other classes are also available on ShowNet.biz.

On Opening Day, kids enjoyed fun including The Rainbow Bees coloring games, readings and signings; the Butterfly Experience, an interactive exhibit; arts & crafts with the Hampton Country Day Camp; Long Island Livestock Co.'s assortment of fun animals; The Art Nanny; cookie decorating with Citarella; the Church St. School's music and art’s creation station; a craft station by Barefoot Kids; windchime decorating and pony rides.

The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

On Tuesday, August 27 in the Der Dau/CWD Riders’ Lounge following the last class in the Grand Prix Ring: Dr. Amy Polkes of HV Equine Internal Medicine and Antech Labs Equine Division will be hosting a seminar titled “Equine Neurologic Disease — is your horse neurologic or lame?”

On Friday, Aug. 30, events in the Grand Prix Ring, starting at 8 a.m., include the $10,000 Junior/Amateur–Owner Welcome Stake, the $10,000 SHF Enterprises 7 & Under Jumpers Championship, and the $15,000 Speed Derby. The $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier, scheduled for a 2 p.m. start, will set the jump order for Sunday’s $300,000 DOHA.INC Grand Prix CSI.

Saturday features Kids Day; in addition, the Grand Prix ring will host the $10,000 Hampton Classic Equitation Championship presented by Palm Beach International Academy beginning at 8 a.m. and the $15,000 Carolex Junior/Amateur/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic followed by the big event of the day, the $72,000 LONGINES Cup at 2 p.m.

Daily admission to the Hampton Classic is $10 per person — children under six are admitted free — or $20 per carload. Seniors are admitted free Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Saturday, August 31,, children under 12 are admitted free and each receives a free pony ride. Parking is free.

Grandstand tickets are still available for the $300,000 DOHA.INC Grand Prix CSI4* on Sunday, Sept. 1. Bucket seating in all sections costs $45 per person. To book seats, click here.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show runs through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 240 Snake Hollow Rd. in Bridgehampton.