41st Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show August 28 – September 4, 2016
THE COMPETITION: The annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, returns to Bridgehampton, NY, for its 41st year, August 28 – September 4. The Classic hosts exciting hunter/jumper competition from junior levels up to grand prix show jumping, featuring the $300,000 Grand Prix on Sunday, September 4. Sunday, August 28 – Opening Day will include leadline classes, Opening Day Ceremonies plus new additions including the $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby in the Anne Aspinall Ring and the $30,000 Speed Challenge presented by Dan’s Papers, an Open Jumper class in the Grand Prix Ring. Local classes take place in other rings throughout the day. Competition begins at 8:00 am. Monday, August 29 - The Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities, Presented by Bridgehampton National Bank, begins at 10:00 am. The Hampton Classic hosts ASPCA Adoption & Animal Welfare Day, a highlight of the day. Adoptable cats and dogs will be in the Kids' area from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and adoptable horses will be showcased in the Anne Aspinall Ring from 12:00-2:00 pm. There is no admission charge on Monday. Tuesday, August 30 - Tuesday's events include short-stirrup competition, Children’s Hunters, Open Jumpers, and the $10,000 Brown Harris Stevens 7&Under Young Jumper class. Also featured are Amateur-Owner and Junior Jumpers, and Green Working and High Performance Hunters. Wednesday, August 31 - Competition continues in Amateur-Owner and Junior Jumper Sections as well as the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Open Jumper class and the $10,000 Split Rock Farm 7&Under Young Jumper class. Adult Amateur Hunter classes and Children’s Hunter classes are also featured, as are the Green and High Performance Hunters. Wednesday evening's Exhibitor Party, 5:00-8:00 pm, will include a "horseless horse show" to benefit JustWorld International. Thursday, September 1 - The week's competition continues with Rose Hill Farm Amateur-Owner Jumper class, Junior Jumpers, the Citarella Adult Amateurs Jumpers, the Strong's Marine Amateur-Owner Jumper (low) Classic and Children’s Jumpers. The exciting new FEI competition, the $40,000 SOVARO® Speed class, will be the highlight event in the Grand Prix ring. In addition, there will be $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Hunter Classic, Junior Hunters and equitation competitions including the USEF Hunter Seat Medal and the PHA Equitation. Friday, September 2- Friday features qualifying events in the Grand Prix Ring in which top show jumpers vie for slots in Sunday'sexciting Grand Prix Ring competition. Starting at 8:00 a.m. is the $10,000 Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake, followed by the $10,000 SHF Enterprises 7&Under Jumper class and the $15,000 Merrill Lynch Speed Derby presented by Sotheby's International Realty. The $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier presented by LONGINES, scheduled for a 2:00 pm start, will set the participant list for Sunday's $300,000 Grand Prix. The schedule also includes AmateurOwner Hunter classes, Junior Hunters, Pony Hunter competition, and the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search as well as the ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay. Saturday, September 3 – The Hampton Classic’s Kids Day presented by iHeartMedia will feature activities for the entire family from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Children under 12 are admitted free and receive a free pony ride. Grand Prix ring highlights include the $10,000 Bright Side Farm Equitation Championship and the $50,000 LONGINES Cup. Pony Hunters, the Adult Amateur and Children's Jumper Classics and the $15,000 Carolex Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic are also featured. Sunday, September 4 - The $10,000 Hermès Hunter Classic is among the featured competitions on Grand Prix Sunday. Festivities in the Grand Prix Ring begin with the $25,000 Show Jumping Derby, and the grand finale – the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix. The $30,000 LONGINES Rider Challenge award will also be presented.
By Vanessa Terrazas, Damian De Langeron, Eva De Langeron, Alex Panin
