Bridgehampton, NY – April 28, 2016 – The Hampton Classic Horse Show, returning to its pristine Bridgehampton, NY, venue on August 28-September 4, is upping the ante in its Open Jumper division for this year’s 41st annual edition. The Classic is adding an Open Jumper class to its Opening Day schedule, adding a fourth FEI class, and increasing prize money in its three featured Grand Prix events, in addition to bringing in world-renown Course Designer Alan Wade.
The Hampton Classic hosts more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities and showcases the highest levels of equestrian show jumping competition in six show rings. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered at all levels, from leadline classes and all the way up to grand prix level. Classes are also featured for riders with disabilities.
This year, the Classic’s Open Jumper division will feature a new class in the Grand Prix Ring on Opening Day and a fourth FEI (International Equestrian Federation) class on its schedule. There will now be an FEI class each day, Thursday through Sunday and prize money has been increased for all three of its featured FEI Grand Prix classes.
Skara Glen’s Dolphin and Paul O’Shea won at the 2015 Hampton Classic / (c) McMillen Photo
“With the addition of a fourth FEI class, a large increase in prize money and Alan Wade joining us as Course Designer, we are anticipating a stellar turn-out for our 2016 show,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, the Hampton Classic’s Executive Director. “Coming right after this summer’s Olympic Games, this year’s Hampton Classic promises to be very exciting for competitors and spectators alike!”
The 2016 Hampton Classic Horse Show kicks off on Sunday, August 28. The day starts out with the leadline classes, showcasing young riders aged 2-7. The day will culminate with the new $30,000 Open Jumper class in the Grand Prix Ring.
The exciting new FEI competition, the $40,000 SOVARO® Speed class will take place on Thursday, September 1. Friday, September 2 will feature the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier presented by LONGINES which will now award $75,000 in prize money, a fifty percent increase over last year.
Saturday, September 3 will feature the $50,000 LONGINES Cup, offering a purse that is $10,000 more than last year. The week will culminate on Sunday, September 4, with the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix, offering a $50,000 increase in prize money over last year. The CSI four-star Grand Prix features Olympians, World Champions, and show jumping veterans from virtually all over the globe.
Each of the FEI classes, plus the new Opening Day class, will award bonus points toward the toward the $30,000 LONGINES Rider Challenge which awards $30,000 and a LONGINES timepiece to the rider accumulating the most points in the Open Jumper Division throughout the week. The Opening Day class and the Thursday-Saturday FEI classes will all award 50% bonus points and the Sunday Grand Prix will award double points.
Alan Wade of Ireland has been chosen as the new Course Designer for 2016. He succeeds Guilherme Jorge of Brazil who was the Course Designer for the past seven years, but who has stepped down to focus on his role as Course Designer for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. Wade is a highly respected FEI Level 4 course designer, who has designed courses at some of the world’s most important competitions, including various FEI World Cup™ Jumping competitions across the globe and the Winter Equestrian Festival, Pennsylvania National Horse Show and the American Gold Cup to name a few. He has also been selected to serve as the official Course Designer for the 2017 LONGINES FEI World Cup™ Final in Omaha, Nebraska.
In addition to the six show rings, the Hampton Classic features a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors for an amazing shopping experience, a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer’s Market, all on its immaculate 60-acre show grounds.
The Classic is not only one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the United States and a premier destination for the ‘who’s who’ in the horse show world, but it’s also a hot spot for celebrities who enjoy watching the top riders and enjoying the elite atmosphere. Some spotted in recent years include Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Matt Lauer, Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa, Sofia Vergara, Mary-Kate Olsen, Julianne Moore and Michael Bloomberg.
For those who can’t make it to the show grounds, a complimentary live webcast of all Grand Prix ring classes will air on the Hampton Classic website, produced by ShowNet and courtesy of LONGINES. In addition, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen on line at www.wvvh.tv. Most of the Classic’s other classes will also be available on ShowNet.biz.
For a link to this coverage and for more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.