Hampton Classic Announces Tuesday's Winners

Chloe Hase, 17, a senior at Southampton High School, and Sue Marder-O’Connor, 65, a teacher at the nearby Springs School, finished in a tie for the South Fork Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the Grand Local Hunter Champion at the 40th annual Hampton Classic on Tuesday.

Hase rode Brando, 18, to the Local Junior Hunter, Section B, title on her way to the grand championship.

Marder-O’Connor rode Tour Guide, 18,to the L.I. Pulse Local Amateur-Owner Championship on her way to the grand championship.

“We’ve grown so much in the last few years, and we’ve become so in sync with each other. It was an amazing experience for both of us. One of the best experiences we’ve ever had,” Hase said. “The show is really special because it’s close to home, but it’s a huge show that people come from all over the world to show in.”

“This show is really everything to us,” Marder-O’Connor, whose brother owns and runs Marder’s Landscaping, which has handled the trees and other plantings on the show grounds since the show began, said. “So we’re here 24/7. We define our lives by this show, so this is huge. It made my year.”

Marder-O’Connor has owned Tour Guide for about four years, and she considers the veteran gelding semi-retired.

In 2013 they won the Local Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship, and in 2014 they won the Local Hunter Classic.

They have also competed in the Adult Hunter division on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hase bought Brando five years ago, when they were both 12.

She started showing in local day at the Hampton Classic shortly after she began training with the Toppings, but this was her first championship.

The other Local Day Hunter Champions were:

• Junior Hunter, Sec. A: Al Pacino I, ridden by Olivia Kramer
• Local Hunter (Pro), Sec. A: Quartermaster, ridden by Lainie Wimberly
• Local Hunter (Pro), Sec. B: Rockford, ridden by Holly Orlando
• Local Hunter (Non-Pro): Hands Down, ridden by James Henderson
• Leadline: Agatha Lignelli