The 48th Annual Hampton Classic Returns This Sunday

The 48th annual Hampton Classic, which returns to 240 Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton this Sunday, August 27, and runs through the following Sunday, September 3, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows and features competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions.

The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities, and features more than 200 classes in six show rings, the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options, all on its world-class 60-acre showgrounds.

Highlighting the Hampton Classic is the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5-star Grand Prix on Sunday, September 3. In addition to the Grand Prix title, the world-class field of riders will be looking to win the Longines Rider Challenge that awards $30,000 to the rider who accumulates the most points throughout the week in the horse show’s Open Jumper competitions.

In addition to its weeklong schedule full of familiar highlights, this year’s Classic will honor one of show jumping’s all-time great horses by hosting the official retirement ceremony of McLain Ward’s (USA) 2016 Olympic team Silver Medal and 2017 Longines FEI World Cup champion mount, HH Azur.

The Hampton Classic is a celebrity hotspot. Among those who have attended in recent years are many A-listers including Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Fallon, Jerry Seinfeld, Mariska Hargitay, Bobby Flay, Brooke Shields, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Sofia Vergara, Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen, Julianne Moore and Michael Bloomberg.

The following is an overview of the Classic’s schedule:

Sunday, August 27 – Leadline classes, Opening Day Ceremonies, the $30,000 Jumper Challenge and $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby highlight Opening Day. Local hunter classes, including the Miller & Associates Local Junior Hunter division, take place as well as Children’s (including the Jos M. Troffa Materials Medium Children’s Equitation and ServPro Low Children’s Equitation) and Adult Equitation classes.

Monday, August 28 – The Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities Presented by Dime Bank will be the only competition. Spectators are invited to shop in the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden or visit the Exhibition Tent. The Classic will host the 12th annual Animal Adoption Day presented by Gotham Enterprises where adoptable cats and dogs will be in the Kids Tent from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and adoptable horses featuring horse rescues that are part of the EQUUS Foundation’s Guardian Program will be showcased in Hunter Ring 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no admission charge on Monday.

Tuesday, August 29 – Tuesday’s events include the $10,000 Stomp Capital Open Jumper, Amateur and Junior Jumpers (including the Brown Harris Stevens Amateur Jumper Low and Coterie Child/Adult Jumper Low classes), Green Working and High Performance Hunters, and Children’s Hunters. The Macrae Skye Short-Stirrup classes and Championships will take place in the Annex Ring.

Wednesday, August 30 – Competition in Amateur, Junior (including the Maria Mendelsohn Junior Jumper Medium class) and Open Jumpers. Amateur, Junior and Adult Amateur Hunter classes (including the Ollywear Performance Hunter 3’3” section) are featured, as are Green and High Performance Hunters and Children’s Hunter Classics.

Thursday, August 31 – Jumper competition continues with the $10,000 Citarella 2-star Open Jumper and $39,000 Flecha Azul 5-star Speed Stake, as well as Amateur, Junior, and Children’s Jumper classes. Hunter classes include the new $25,000 Hunter Classic Sponsored by Green River Farm, Small and Large Junior Hunters, Performance Hunter championships (including the Ollywear Performance 3’3” section), and Low Children’s and Low Adult Amateur Hunter championships. The $5,000 Mane ’n Tail Hunter Challenge winner will also be announced.

Friday, September 1 – Friday features the $10,000 Lugano Diamonds Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake and $39,000 Wölffer Estate 2-star Open Jumper. The $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5-star Grand Prix Qualifier will set the participant list for Sunday’s $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5-star Grand Prix. The schedule also includes the TAK Protective Group Junior Jumper Classic and Amateur and Junior Jumper Championships. Hunter classes will take place for Amateur (including the Hunt Ltd. 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+ and Human Touch 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+), Junior, and Ponies, featuring Small and Large Junior Hunter Championships.

Saturday, September 2 – News 12 Long Island Kids Day will feature plenty of activities for the entire family from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children under 12 receive free admission and a free pony ride. The Grand Prix ring will host the $10,000 Hermès Equitation Championship and Junior and Amateur Medium Jumper Classics before the big event of the day, $78,000 The Agency 5-star Speed Stake. The Jumper 2 Ring will host the $39,000 FEI 2-star Open Jumper and High Jumper classics and championships for Children’s and Adult Amateurs. The other rings will host a multitude of Hunter championship classes for Amateurs, Juniors and Ponies.

Sunday, September 3 – The Grand Prix Ring begins with the $78,000 Hampton Classic 2-star Grand Prix followed by the $25,000 Agneta & Brownlee Currey High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. Featured hunter competition includes the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic, final Hunter Championships and the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic. Winners of the Hamptons Cottages & Gardens VIP Table Décor contest are announced, and then the premiere event gets underway — the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5-star Grand Prix. The winner of the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge will also be presented.

Further details are available on the show’s website at hamptonclassic.com.