World-Class Riders Coming to Hampton Classic Horse Show

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z receive their awards after winning the 2016 Hampton Classic Grand Prix
(c) Shawn McMillen

World-Class Riders Coming to Hampton Classic Horse Show
Olympic, World, and Pan American Games Medalists to Compete for Top Prize Money and Titles

Bridgehampton, NY – August 8, 2017 – Some of the most elite names international show jumping have confirmed their entries for the 42nd annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the world’s most prestigious events, returning to its pristine show grounds in Bridgehampton, NY, August 27-September 3. A star-studded lineup of Olympic, Pan American, and World Cup Champions will contend for top prize money and titles throughout the week, culminating in the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix CSI**** Presented by SOVARO®.

The Hampton Classic hosts more than 200 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages with a broad range of abilities. Hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered ranging from leadline all the way up to the grand prix show jumping. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z at the 2016 Hampton Classic Horse Show (c) Shawn McMillen

“We are absolutely thrilled to have so many top competitors confirm their entries for this year’s Hampton Classic!” said Shanette Barth Cohen, the horse show’s Executive Director. “This year’s event is going to be spectacular. In addition to the veteran champions we cheer for year after year, there are many new emerging stars joining us this year.”

Heading the impressive list of entries is two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward, the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Jumping Champion. Ward, who also won the individual Gold and team Bronze medals at the 2015 Pan American Games, has won the Hampton Classic Grand Prix a record six times. At last year’s Hampton Classic, he won both the $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier, and the $30,000 Boar’s Head Open Jumper Challenge.

Georgina Bloomberg and Crown 5 at the 2016 Hampton Classic Horse Show (c) Shawn McMillen

Georgina Bloomberg, Ward’s teammate on the U.S.’s 2015 Bronze-medal Pan American Games team, has also won many competitions at the Hampton Classic including two classes last year. A long-time animal rights advocate, Bloomberg is also supporting the Classic’s 7th annual Animal Adoption Day on Monday, August 28.

Also entered are U.S. Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde; Olympic veteran Mario Deslauriers, who won the 1984 FEI World Cup Jumping Final at just 19 years old; Peter Lutz, Quentin Judge and Callan Solem, all of whom competed at the 2016 FEI World Cup™ Final, where Solem took seventh place and was the best placed U.S. rider – and highest placed female rider – at the event. Other top U.S. riders on the entry list include Nick Dello Joio, Brianne Goutal, Jimmy Torano, Lucy Deslauriers, Lauren Tisbo, Debbie Stephens, Mattias Tromp, Catherine Tyree, and Andrew Welles.Also entered are U.S. Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde; Olympic veteran Mario Deslauriers, who won the 1984 FEI World Cup Jumping Final at just 19 years old; Peter Lutz, Quentin Judge and Callan Solem, all of whom competed at the 2016 FEI World Cup™ Final, where Solem took seventh place and was the best placed U.S. rider – and highest placed female rider – at the event. Other top U.S. riders on the entry list include Nick Dello Joio, Brianne Goutal, Jimmy Torano, Lucy Deslauriers, Lauren Tisbo, Debbie Stephens, Mattias Tromp, Catherine Tyree, and Andrew Welles.

A strong Irish contingent is sure to give the Americans a run for their money. Richie Moloney will be defending his 2016 Hampton Classic Grand Prix Champion title, while countryman Kevin Babington, an Olympic veteran and former European Champion, will be looking to re-claim the Hampton Classic Grand Prix title he won in 2014. Seeking their first Hampton Classic Grand Prix victories are Paul O’Shea, winner of the $40,000 Longines Cup in 2015, and Shane Sweetnam, who has been having an outstanding summer season riding with the Irish national team in Europe.

Other international riders slated to compete include Argentina’s Ramiro Quintana, a 2016 Olympic veteran and Team Silver medalist at the 2015 Pan American Games; two-time Olympic veteran Daniel Bluman from Israel; Roberto Teran of Colombia, who competed at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games; 2008 and 2012 Olympian Alberto Michan of Mexico; 2015 Pan American Games veteran Luis Biraben of Argentina, and Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire, who has had several top-ten grand prix places across the nation this year. The Hampton Classic hosts FEI-recognized classes on four consecutive days.  Horses who successfully complete the course during Friday’s $86,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier qualify for Sunday’s $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix CSI****.  Many of the Grand Prix horses who do not ride in the Grand Prix, ride in Thursday’s $40,000 SOVARO® Speed Stake or Saturday’s $50,000 LONGINES Cup which are also an FEI-recognized events.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show is one of the most spectacular events in the nation and showcases the highest levels of equestrian show jumping competition. The world-class event showcases hundreds of top riders and horses from all over the nation and world. Spectators can watch small children on tiny ponies in lead-line classes as well as Olympic and World Champions compete in the top events.

The 60-acre Hampton Classic showgrounds is also a shopping and dining Mecca with something for everyone. There is a wide variety of food choices, daily kids’ activities, and the luxurious Boutique Garden and Stable Row feature more than 70 vendors, so you can shop ’til you drop.

For those who can’t make it to the show grounds, complimentary live webcasts of all Grand Prix ring competitions 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 are also available on ShowNet.biz.

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.