Dan's Papers - August 22, 2008 - The Hampton Classic Returns! Hooray!

The 33rd annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation's premier hunter-jumper horse shows, returns to Bridgehampton, August 24-31. The Classic hosts a week of world-class equestrian competition in this exciting Olympic year, featuring competitions for riders ranging from leadline to juniors up to the pinnacle of the sport, grand prix show jumping. This year's horse show promises to be one of the best ever.

The featured attraction of the Hampton Classic once again will be the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier, one of the most highly anticipated show-jumping classes in the country. This year, the Hampton Classic is offering an additional $50,000 in prize money over last year's $150,000 class. The culminating event of the Classic, the FTI Grand Prix, will also serve as a World Cup Qualifier, gaining valuable points for riders hoping to qualify for the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas.

Prize money has also been increased for Saturday's $30,000 Sotheby's International Realty Challenge and the horse show is initiating a $30,000 VOX Rider Challenge, sponsored by VOX Magazine, with the prize money being awarded to the top four riders in the horse show's Open Jumper division. Riders competing in open jumper classes throughout the week will have their top finish in each class, regardless of mount, count towards their final point totals. This $30,000 incentive will increase the excitement of these open jumper classes during the week, as every ride could potentially take a rider one step closer to winning the Challenge.

"We are thrilled to offer an increase in prize money as well as waiving the entry fee for Sunday's Grand Prix," said Shanette Cohen, executive director of the Hampton Classic. "We have some of the world's best riders at the Hampton Classic and we value the commitment they make to the horse show. We feel that this is one thing we can do for them to show how much we value their participation."

The Hampton Classic Horse Show kicks off with Manhattan Mortgage Company's Opening Day on Sunday, August 24. Opening Day features hundreds of Long Island competitors, and is highlighted by the popular Leadline competition in the Grand Prix ring, where 100 youngsters under the age of eight hold center stage in the morning before giving way to the Opening Day Ceremony at noon. At the ceremony, the winner of the second annual WLIU Radio National Anthem Singing Contest will sing the anthem prior to the fast-paced $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge, an open jumper competition that has been featured at the Classic since 2003.

The Hampton Classic has been pleased to host the Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities since 2006. The culmination of a summer-long series, the riders will vie for blue ribbons in walk-trot, walk-trot-canter, and figure-eight classes on Monday, August 25. While there are no major jumping competitions on Monday, this is a great day for spectators to catch their favorite horses and riders practicing in schooling sessions, enjoy a day shopping in the Boutique Garden and Stable Row, or visit the Exhibition Tent. There is no admission charge on Monday.

Other Hampton Classic highlights include:

Jumpers: Open jumper classes will be held in the Grand Prix ring on Tuesday and Wednesday, and bluhammock music will sponsor an open jumper competition on Thursday. Other open jumper highlights during the week include the $15,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Speed Derby (Friday), the $50,000 Grand Prix Qualifier (Friday) and the $30,000 Sotheby's International Realty Challenge (Saturday). These events along with the other open jumper classes will contribute to overall rider point totals for the $30,000 VOX Rider Challenge. The top up-and-coming young horses will compete in the $20,000 SHF Enterprises 5-year-old, $30,000 Split Rock Farm 6-year-old and $30,000 7-& 8-year-old Young Jumper Championships. These divisions will be held Tuesday-Saturday of the show week. Those hoping to catch exciting amateur and junior competition shouldn't miss the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake (Friday) the $15,000 WGHR Farm Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (Saturday), and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby (Sunday). Children's and Adult Amateur Jumpers will compete in the Marshall & Sterling Classics on Saturday.

Hunters: The $10,000 Hermes Hunter Classic for junior and amateur-owner riders tops off a week of outstanding hunter competition on Sunday, August 31. Other noteworthy hunter events during the week include the Corcoran Group's Pony Hunter Classic (Saturday) and the Marshall & Sterling Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Classics (Tuesday and Wednesday). Green and regular working hunters will also compete during the week.

Equitation: The unique two-phase $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship will be conducted on Thursday and Saturday in the Grand Prix Ring. Riders under the age of 21 navigate a demanding course and are judged on style while racing against the clock. Spectators can catch other big equitation classes such as the USEF Zone 2 Medal Championship and the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search nearly every other day of the week.

Entertainment highlights include the second annual JustWorld International Horseless Horse Show at the exhibitor party on Friday. Wildly popular in its debut at the Classic last year, kids will have the chance to "jump" around the Grand Prix Ring over a miniature course designed by Olympic course designer Steve Stephens and win prizes, all while being judged by big-name riders. Proceeds from this event will benefit JustWorld International. And the family-friendly Cablevision's Kids Day will return as usual on Saturday with face-painting, circus performers, and pony rides. Kids under the age of 12 will be admitted free on this day.

Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic will have ample opportunity to see it on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, will broadcast up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv. The Grand Prix will also air on Animal Planet at a to-be-determined time. The Classic will also receive extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, a long-time sponsor and the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on Sunday, August 24 and Saturday-Sunday, August 30-31.