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Hampton
Classic |
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August 10, 2002 (pictures are from the Hampton Classic 2001 event)
 When
the Hampton Classic kicks off next week it will mark the 27th year the
premier horse show will draw visitors and competitors to Suffolk.
Upward of 60,000 spectators are expected for the week long event, where
1200 horses and riders will compete for $500,000 in prizes.
Riders come from across the US, Canada and abroad including up-and-coming riders, Olympic veterans, World Cup and World Championship riders. Many local equestrians are included among those competing for prizes and the leadline class features riders as young as three years old.
The Classic has raised more than $1 million for charity over the years and this year benefits Southampton Hospital.
The Hampton Classic features 46 boutiques--26 in the Boutique Garden and another 20 throughout the grounds--selling everything from tack and equestrian goods to clothing, jewelry, and gift items. The shops offer an unusual range of articles, from a colorful mug or t-shirt from the Hampton Classic booth to a unique one-of-a-kind painted trunk by artisan Connie Oshrin, a collection of elegant cashmere pashminas by Iris Zonlight, Scottish sporting wear for field & stream by P J Huntsman & Company, or a chance to visit with Master Saddlers Lucy & David Boot at Brennan’s Bit & Bridle Shop.
Exhibitions, demonstrations and activities including a special LIRR train to the showgrounds are among the exciting features of this year's event. With the exception of the final day, admission is only $5 per person or $15 per carload, which includes viewing all events, rings and children's activities and the shopping court. Visitors may begin entering at 8:30 a.m. and parking is free. Opening day, Sunday, August 25, has a full schedule of events planned for everyone, whether or not they will be able to see the competitions that follow. Beginning around 1:00 p.m. in the Grand Prix Ring immediately following the Leadline Classes held for riders under the age of 8, opening ceremonies feature an educational parade and demonstrations of various horse breeds followed by an afternoon of dog agility competition sponsored by Adequan®. The following is a brief outline of the many special activities that will be taking place Sunday, Aug. 25 Manhattan
Mortgage Company’s Opening Day
Monday, Aug. 26 No
Competition
Thursday, Aug. 29 Seniors
Day
Friday,
Aug. 30
Saturday,
Aug. 31 $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix $20,000 Eastern Finals of the 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Championships
Sunday,
Sept. 1 $30,000
Eastern Finals of the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby
WHERE: Bridgehampton, NY (off Montauk Highway, Route 27 – 240 Snake Hollow Road), 60-acre showgrounds, located near some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast, amidst the splendor of the fashionable Hamptons summer scene. (Directions: Long Island Expressway to Exit 70, South on Eastport Manor Road to Route 27, East to Route 27A (Montauk Highway), East to Bridgehampton Commons. Turn left on Snake Hollow Road to the showgrounds just past RR tracks.)
HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily (approximately)
ADMISSION: Children Under 6/Free; FREE PARKING Sunday, Aug. 25-Sunday, Sept. 1: $5/person or $15/carload Monday, Aug. 26: Admission Free (no competition) – Boutiques & Exhibition Tent Open Sunday, Sept. 1: Reserved Grandstand Seats: $15 per person (in addition to $5/person or $15/carload admission) or $25 per person for premium seating in the front three rows. Parking throughout the show is free.
SENIORS DAY PRESENTED BY 50 PLUS SENIOR NEWS: The Second Annual Seniors Day at the Classic will take place on Thursday, August 29. Senior Citizens, 60 years of age and older, will be admitted to the Classic free on Seniors Day and can expect to see show jumping action in five rings as well as shop in the 36 vendor booths in the Classic’s Boutiques Garden, dine in any of three on-site public restaurants and explore the Exhibition Horse area where miniature horses, llamas, dog agility performers and the show’s special horse acts are stabled. The special Seniors Day activities will be set up in the World of the Horse™ area, which will also feature pony rides (available for a modest added charge) for any grandchildren accompanying their grandparents that day. Seniors can enter the Classic’s free drawings for great prizes donated by Seniors Day sponsors and many of the Classic’s other sponsors and boutique vendors. Seniors Day is being presented by 50 Plus Senior News, the greater New York monthly devoted to the area’s half-million senior residents. The paper will be working closely with the Hampton Classic to develop special activities for all the seniors in attendance on Seniors Day.
FIESTA DAY presented by AVIS: FIESTA DAY presented by AVIS, celebrated on Friday, August 30, is the Hampton Classic’s salute to our Latino participants and the growing Hispanic community on Long Island. A day filled with fabulous food and great music, Fiesta Day will include performances by the Paso Finos and special riding demonstrations that pay tribute to the gaucho and charro traditions of South and Central America and Mexico. Dancers and singers perform throughout the day in the World of the Horse™ Exhibition Tent and Show Yard. In addition, there is a special bilingual "Careers in the Horse Industry" booklet developed especially for Fiesta Day. All children under 12 are admitted free and there will be free pony rides for children and a variety of career day exhibits from corporate sponsors wishing to publicize their commitment to diversity in the workplace. A Special Achievement Award will be given to a Hispanic individual who has made a significant contribution to the horse industry.
CABLEVISION’S KIDS DAY presented by Long Island Parents & Children: Cablevision’s Kids Day will happen on Saturday, August 31. Cablevision’s Kids Day features The National Circus Project with performers teaching kids the basics of juggling, magic, and stilt walking. There are many equine and canine exhibitions and educational projects incorporating the animals from the petting farm—llamas, alpacas, guide dogs, and Miniature Horses. The Classic Kids-Teaching-Kids program features hands-on pony care. Kids under 12 are admitted free and receive a complimentary pony ride. There will be drawings for prizes. Featured classes on Saturday include the $2,500 Children's Jumper Classic and the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic. These are for junior riders under the age of 18. The Grand Prix Ring main events are the $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic and the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix.
The Hampton Classic has its own web site: www.hamptonclassic.com . There you can find full show information, schedule, results, ticket information, photo gallery as well as a poster order form and more. The site has a complete sponsor listing and detailed section describing the Classic’s many service providers. There are complete lists of classes offered as well as downloadable entry blanks. The Classic’s e-mail address is info@hamptonclassic.com .
LIRR GROUP TOUR: The Hampton Classic will join with the Long Island Railroad for a day at the Hampton Classic on Opening Day, August 25. Special train service will be provided for spectators interested in attending the show with morning departures from Penn Station (7:57 a.m.), Woodside (8:08), Brooklyn (7:35), Jamaica (8:20) and Mineola (8:33). (Times should be confirmed.) The group will arrive at the Bridgehampton Station at around 10:45 a.m., and a bus will transport spectators to the Hampton Classic showgrounds. The group will be given a guided tour of the grounds. Departure is at 3:40 p.m. For more information call 718-217-LIRR (NYC), 516-822-LIRR (Nassau), or 631-231-LIRR (Suffolk). Charges: adults/$25; children 5-11/$20. To order tour tickets or get further information, contact: LIRR, Sales & Promotions, #1723, Jamaica, NY 11435.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES/EXHIBITION TENT: The World of the Horse™ Exhibition Tent and Show Yard features daily performances by various entertainers. In addition, visitors enjoy pony rides, Miniature Horse exhibitions, llamas, alpacas, and our special "Kids-Teaching-Kids" Pony Care program with pony grooming demonstrations by local children. The GuideDog Foundation and dog agility trainers will be on hand all week to teach dog care and training.
WELFARE OF THE HORSE: Veterinarians, farriers, and the show stewards are on duty daily (many riders bring their own veterinarians). The veterinarians and stall watch services are available 24 hours a day. The Hampton Classic has pioneered many special horse welfare regulations.
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Spectators
enjoy the competition in five show rings. The World of the Horse™
Exhibition Tent and Show Yard offers hands-on activities including pony
rides, petting farm, GuideDog Foundation dog agility & dog training
demonstration, and a Kids-Teaching-Kids program of pony care. The
Boutiques Garden has show souvenirs and many unique shops. Food is
available on the grounds. Nearby are the Hamptons' famous beaches,
nightclubs, restaurants, and boutiques.
A
special two-hour taped telecast of the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix and
a live telecast of the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix will be
aired nationally on OLN (Outdoor Life Network). The Prudential Financial
class will also be aired regionally on MSG (Madison Square Garden
Network), giving local and national riders a chance to showcase their
talents. 
