Equestrian Sport At Its Best at Hampton Classic Horse
Show
Bridgehampton,
NYAugust 25, 2003The 28th annual Hampton Classic Horse
Show will once again feature the best show jumping action in the
nation as the countrys top riders converge in Bridgehampton,
NY.
The
Hampton Classic officially opened on Sunday, August 24, with Manhattan
Mortgage Companys Opening Day, presented by Distinction Magazine,
featuring a new open jumper speed class, the $20,000 David Yurman
Time Challenge.
Show
jumping action will continue all week long, culminating on Sunday,
August 31, with the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, a
member event of the King Shavings U.S. Grand Prix League (USGPL).
Things
begin heating up as the weekend draws nearer. Fridays show
jumping competition will be highlighted by the top riders of the
sport competing in the $30,000 Adequan® Fiesta Day Grand Prix,
the qualifying event for Sundays $150,000 Prudential Financial
Grand Prix. Among the nations top show jumpers expected include
members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Nona Garson, Margie
Goldstein-Engle, Lauren Hough and Laura Kraut as well as
former Olympians Norman Dello Joio (1980 and 1992), Anne Kursinski
(1988, 1992, and 1996), Joe Fargis (1984 and 1988), Leslie Burr
Howard (1984 and 1996) and Peter Leone (1996).
Saturday,
August 30, is Cablevisions Kids Day presented by Long Island
Parents & Children magazine. Competition is highlighted by the
$25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix as well as a competition for the
grand prix horses of tomorrow, the $20,000 Young Jumper Championship
Finals for Five-Year-Olds. The $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Jumper
Classic and the final phase of the $10,000 CK Equitation Championship
also take place on Saturday, as well as the $2,500 Children's Jumper
Classic and the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic for junior riders under
the age of 18.
On
Sunday, August 31, the best horse-rider combinations will take to
the grass Grand Prix Field to tackle the $150,000 Prudential Financial
Grand Prix. Margie Goldstein-Engle of Wellington, FL, a three-time
winner, will attempt to defend her title for a record fourth time.
She will face stiff competition from a large field of seasoned competitors,
including her 2003 Pan American Games gold medal teammates. All
four team members Engle, Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ,
Lauren Hough of Wellington, FL, and Beezie Madden of Cazenovia,
NY, will be on hand to contest one of the richest grand prix events
in the world, and each will individually be looking for the win.
Collectively, the Hampton Classic will honor the four team gold
medallists for their achievement in a special ceremony on Sunday
prior to the grand prix.
For
those who cant be present or want to relive the excitement,
the Outdoor Life Network will be airing coverage of the $150,000
Prudential Financial Grand Prix on October 12, at 4 p.m. ET.
Super
Sunday at the Hampton Classic also features the $30,000 Young Jumper
Championship Finals for Six-Year-Olds while the riders of tomorrow
can be found competing in the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping
Derby.
Numerous
activities and exhibitions will take place throughout the week,
including demonstrations by Vaulting World Championship veteran
Yanina Alvarez, Argentinas National Champion of Artistic Gymnastics.
The World of the Horse Exhibition Tent and Show Yard, dog
agility training and free pony rides are just some of the activities
planned to entertain kids of all ages while all family members can
enjoy shopping in the Boutique Garden and Stable Row as well as
sampling the fare offered by numerous on-site restaurants.
Each
year the Hampton Classic Horse Show attracts more than 50,000 spectators
and celebrities to watch the countrys best horses and riders
compete. With the nations best show jumping riders attending
the show and a star-studded audience cheering them on, the Hampton
Classic is a weeklong sports and entertainment spectacle.
Six
show rings, plus vendors, restaurants, and the childrens area
are operating throughout the week. Admission is $5 per person or
$15 per carload, with children under 6 admitted free. Reserved grandstand
seating for Grand Prix Sunday, August 31, is $15 per person (in
addition to $5/person or $15/carload admission) or $25 per person
in the special Premium Seating center sections. Parking is free
throughout the show week.
www.hamptonclassic.com
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