The weeklong Hampton Classic, an International Federation of Equestrian Sports’ five-star-rated show, with more than 200 classes in six rings on showgrounds off Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton, is to begin at 8 a.m. Sunday with leadline classes for children 2 through 7 in the Grand Prix ring that are to be judged by Joe Fargis, a three-time Olympic medalist.
Long Island riders are to vie on Local Day in equitation and hunter classes Sunday. The chief competitions, following opening day ceremonies, will be the $30,000 Jumper Challenge and the $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby.
Shanette Barth Cohen, the popular show’s executive director, has said, “This year’s Hampton Classic is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. So many of the sport’s biggest names have filed entries, and we will again be hosting all our usual activities, offering something for everyone.”
A number of Olympians are expected, among them McLain Ward, a seven-time winner of the Classic’s Grand Prix, Daniel Bluman, Kent Farrington, Mario Deslauriers, Rodrigo Pessoa, Tiffany Foster, Beat Mandli, Nayel Nassar, Darragh Kenny, and Jessica Springsteen. Other top international riders such as Karl Cook, who won last year’s Grand Prix, Lucy Deslauriers, Devin Ryan, Adrienne Sternlicht, Lillie Keenan, and Brian Moggre are expected to compete as well.
Ward’s 2016 Olympic silver medal mount and FEI World Cup champion, HH Azur, “one of show jumping’s all-time great horses,” is to be retired at Classic.
The Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders With Disabilities competition is to be held Monday, from 10 a.m. Dogs and cats can be adopted that day in the kids tent from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and rescue horses are to be showcased in hunter ring 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be classes for amateur and junior jumpers, green working and high performance hunters, children’s hunters, and for short-stirrup riders on Tuesday, when the main event will be the $10,000 Stomp Capital Open Jumper class.
Competitions in amateur, junior, and open jumpers will be held Wednesday, as well as in amateur, junior, and adult amateur hunter classes. The Children’s Hunter Classic will be among the day’s featured events.
The $39,000 Flecha Azul Five-Star Speed Stake, the $25,000 Hunter Classic, and the $10,000 Citarella Two-Star Open Jumper class will be next Thursday’s featured events. The $78,000 Douglas Elliman Five-Star Grand Prix Qualifier, the $39,000 Wolffer Estate Two-Sar Open Jumper class, and the $10,000 Lugano Diamonds Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake are slated for Friday, Sept. 1.
Children under 12 are to be admitted free and are to get a free pony ride on Kids Day, Saturday, Sept. 2. Featured events that day are to include the Agency $78,000 Five-Star Speed Stake, the $39,000 FEI Two-Star Open Jumper Classic, and the $10,000 Hermes Equitation Championship.
The $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic Five-Star Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, Sept. 3, preceded by the $78,000 Hampton Classic Two-Star Grand Prix and the $25,000 Agneta & Brownlee Currey High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic.