Dan's Papers - August 24, 2007 - The Hampton Classic Horse Show Returns to Bridgehampton

The 32nd Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, returns to Bridgehampton, August 26-September 2. The Classic hosts exciting hunter/jumper competition from junior levels up to the pinnacle of the sport, grand prix show jumping, featuring the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix.

Manhattan Mortgage Company's Opening Day, Sunday, August 26, features the $20,000 Nicolock Open Jumper Challenge, a competition that debuted at the Classic in 2003. This exciting "race against the clock" will follow the singing of the national anthem and other Opening Day Ceremonies in the Grand Prix Ring.

While there is no major jumping competition on Monday, August 27, the Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities will be held. Spectators are also invited to come and watch horses and riders in schooling sessions, and to shop in the Boutique Garden and Stable Row or visit the Exhibition Horse Tent. There is no admission charge on Monday.

On Tuesday, August 28, events include Amateur-Owner, Junior, Open Jumpers, Green Working Hunters and Children's Hunters. The $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic will top off the day in Hunter Ring I and the Platinum Performance / USEF Show Jumping Talent Search will be held in Jumper Ring II.

On Wednesday, August 29, the first round of the 5 and 6-year-old East Coast Young Jumper Championships will take place and competition continues in Amateur Owner, Junior, and Open Jumper sections. Adult Amateur Hunters will also compete, as will the Green and Regular Working Hunters.

The week's jumper competition continues on Thursday, August 30, with the second round of the East Coast Young Jumper Championships as well as Adult Amateur, Children's, Amateur-Owner, and Open Jumpers, including the Bluhammock Music 1.45 meter Open Jumper Class in the Grand Prix Ring. In addition, there will be Regular, Adult Amateur, and Junior Hunters. The $5,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper (low) Classic, and the Adult Amateur Hunter Classic are also scheduled. Equitation classes feature the first round of the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship.

Friday, August 31 features qualifying events in the Grand Prix Ring in which top show jumpers vie for slots in Sunday's exciting jumper competitions. Starting at 8 a.m. is the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake, a qualifier for Sunday's $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, followed by the $15,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Speed Derby. The $50,000 GREY GOOSE® Vodka FEI World CupTM Qualifier, scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, will set the order for Sunday's $150,000 FTI Grand Prix. Friday evening's Exhibitor Party runs from 5-8 p.m. and will include JustWorld International's "Horseless Horse Show."

Cablevision's Kids Day, presented by Monty Python's Spamalot, takes place on Saturday, September 1, and features a variety of fun activities including circus performers, face painters, and much more. Children under 12 are admitted free and there are complimentary pony rides for children under 12. Competition highlights include the second round of the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship, the $20,000 SJF Enterprises 5-year-old and the $30,000 Split Rock Farm 6-year-old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $15,000 WGHR Farm Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and the $25,000 Sotheby's International Realty Challenge. The Corcoran Group's Pony Hunter Classic will decide the top pony hunter of the week. Jumper Ring II features the USEF Zone 2 Medal Championship and the Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur and Children's Jumper Classics.

On Sunday, September 2, festivities at the Hampton Classic begin with the $30,000 7- & 8-year-old Young Jumper Championship Finals, followed by the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, a member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, and the $10,000 Hermes Hunter Classic in Hunter Ring I. It all leads up to the grand finale - the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix, one of the top Grand Prix competitions in the country.

Fun for the Whole Family on Kids Day and throughout Classic Week

Monty Python's Spamalot, winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, is the new presenting sponsor of Cablevision's Kids Day on Saturday, September 1. There will be Spamalot activities throughout the week highlighted by a scavenger hunt for the "Grail" throughout the show grounds on Kids Day. In addition, the ASPCA will be presenting a variety of events and activities in the Exhibition Area during the week. Already scheduled are appearances by some of the stars of the popular Animal Planet network show "Animal Precinct" and a visit to the showgrounds by the ASPCA's Adoption Van with cats and dogs looking for a new home.