Hampton Classic Continues Improvements to Bridgehampton Showgrounds
RELEASE: June 7, 2007
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Classic Communications
The Hampton Classic Horse Show has completed a series of upgrades to its stabling areas in direct response to the unprecedented rainfall during the 2006 event. The horse show has invested almost $250,000 to renovate and upgrade the stabling areas, focusing on new and enhanced drainage, including 20 new dry wells and 40 new catch basins. The tent pads have also been built up and the roadways between the tents improved.
Shanette Barth Cohen, Executive Director of the Hampton Classic, believes the improvements to the grounds will benefit everybody involved in the show, but most importantly, the horses and riders. “We always have the well-being of the horses and the experience of our exhibitors in mind,” Cohen said. “Investing in our horses is a priority for the Classic. We are continuing to implement an aggressive program to improve the footing in our arenas. The footing committee, in place since August 2005, is working to explore options for additional enhancements and improvements to the footing.”
In addition to enhancing the grounds, the Hampton Classic has also increased its prize money. The ribbon winners in the Regular Working Hunters will receive double the amount of money they received in 2006 with no increase in entry fees. And, EQUUS & the Equestrian Sport Foundation (EESF) will provide a new prize to the winning rider of Sunday’s $150,000 FTI Grand Prix. A $10,000 grant will be awarded by EESF to the winner to help fund the rider’s participation in international level competition. There are also two new trophies being offered this year: the Horse Haven Trophy for the Best Child Rider on a Pony as well as the Old Field Farm Trophy for the new Long Island Sportsmanship Award.
The Hampton Classic is one of the country's largest hunter/jumper horse shows. With more than $500,000 in prize money, 50,000 spectators and 1,500 horses, the Classic is not only a sporting event of major proportions, but also one of the most noteworthy social events of the summer. The Classic’s featured event, the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix, will be held on Sunday afternoon, September 2.
Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Day Ceremony takes place on August 26. The featured class of the day is the $20,000 Nicolock Open Jumper Time Challenge.
The Bluhammock Music 1.45 meter Open Jumper class takes place on Thursday, August 30. The $50,000 GREY GOOSE® Vodka FEI World Cup™ Qualifier CSI-W, will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 31, and sets the order for Sunday’s $150,000 FTI Grand Prix.
Saturday, September 1, is Cablevision Kid’s Day, presented by SPAMALOT. Competition includes the $25,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Challenge and the final phase of the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship, both which will be held in the grand prix ring.
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 Hermès Hunter Classic will provide an exciting morning to spectators on Grand Prix Sunday, September 2.
Competition at the Hampton Classic runs from Sunday, August 26, through Sunday, September 2. Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six years old admitted free. Admission is free for all on Monday, seniors are free Tuesday-Thursday and kids are free on Saturday. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 2, is $15 per person (in addition to regular admission) or $25 per person in the special Premium Seating center sections. Parking is free throughout the week.
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 Classic will also receive extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, the official radio station o