From the editor: Dr. Gregory Beroza brings us his own on-the-ground report from Bridgehampton on Daniel Bluman’s sensational Grand Prix win on Sunday. Thanks for writing, Dr. Beroza!
Daniel Bluman ‘Ladriano Z’ clear final SOVARO® jump ©McMillen
After previously winning both the $40,000 SOVARO® Speed Stake on August 31, 2017 and the $86,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier-CSI4* presented by Longines on September 1, Israeli Olympic veteran Daniel Bluman riding “Ladriano Z” pulled the hat trick by winning the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix CSI4* presented by SOVARO® on Sunday afternoon, September 3 in Bridgehampton, NY. Riding for the USA in a close second and third in the only three no-fault qualifiers were Brianne Goutal aboard “Nice de Prissey” and reigning Longines FEI World Cup Champion and six-time Hampton Classic Grand Prix champion McLain Ward on “HH Callas.”
Daniel Bluman ‘Ladriano Z” stadium award. ©G. Beroza
All the courses this year were brilliantly designed by Irishman Alan Wade. Fence 12, the Jaguar vertical, was the most challenging “fence of the day,” coming down ten times in the initial elimination round. Of the 32 accomplished entrants, only three rode a clean first round. Bluman posted the only clean round of the final jump-off. Ireland’s Richie Moloney won the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge for the fourth of its five years due to his consistently exceptional riding performances throughout the week of competitions.
Richie Moloney Longines bonus award ©G. Beroza
The 42nd annual event was one of the most spectacular equestrian events in the nation and showcased the highest level of show jumping competition. The week-long Classic hosted hundreds of top riders and horses from around the world. It featured more than 200 classes in six show rings, including a new dressage exhibition by a United States Dressage Federation Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist Stephanie Brown Beamer aboard Gryphon Z.
Joe Fargis judges Young Leadline Riders (2-7yrs) ©G. Beroza
Young riders and their mounts were judged by two-time Olympic gold medalist and Show Jumping Hall of Famer Joe Fargis. Tom Mannos was presented with the Lesportsac Long Island Sportsmanship Award for his many years of show announcing from Sagaponack to the Hampton Classic and the National Horse Show. Tyler Armak, just 15 years old, repeated his 2016 win by again being victorious in the 2017 Independent Equitation division of the Long Island Riders with Disabilities Championship. The 60-acre show grounds was a shopping and dining mecca with a wide variety of foods, kids’ activities, with a luxury Boutique Garden and Stable Row featuring more than 80 vendors.
Daniel Bluman & Dr. Gregory Beroza ‘HorseDoc’®
©G. Beroza
Dr. Gregory A. Beroza, DVM, DACVS, DABVP has been a practicing veterinarian for 36 years and HorseDoc® ‘Talking Horses’® media host, author and consultant since 2007. He is the Founder and Chief of Staff at Long Island Equine Medical Center, President of EQUISCAN — the first privately licensed equine nuclear diagnostic facility on East Coast — and Founder and President of LONG ISLAND EQUINE MEDICAL FOUNDATION INC. Contacts: www.HorseDoc.com, horsedoc@HorseDoc.com or Twitter @DrGregoryBeroza
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