Return of the Classic
After being postponed in 2020, The 45th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show will return.
Absolutely looking forward to my foray into shooting competitive horse jumping at the Classic this year. I have been going to watch it off & on since 1986 and can’t wait to take photos of professional riders. You know that I always respond when people say they love my sports photos that it’s high-level athletes that make my work so easy. Whether it’s shooting lacrosse or baseball, I always say “The better the athlete, the better the shot”.
This year’s show will run from August 29 through September 5, with more than $800,000 in prize money up to be distributed. The show draws the best jumpers, hunters, and equitation riders from around the USA and even the world, with kids as young as 2 joining in the Leadline Division, and some adults might even be 70! I hope that I can still Spin when I am that age. There are over 1000 riders that come to ride, which also attracts VIP’s & celebrities. The Classic has also has a horseback version of the Special Olympics for riders with disabilities. This is part of the Classic’s highlights appropriately called the Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities. There is also the 10th annual Animal Adoption Day, which will feature horse rescues that are part of the EQUUS Foundation’s guardian program with many dog and cat rescues too.
Resuming a year after COVID-19 shutdown the 2020 season, the organizers of the Hampton Classic Horse Show are ready to bring the East End’s premier equestrian event back to Bridgehampton this summer. And despite skipping last year, there’s much to celebrate with the Classic’s return during the week of August 29–September 5. Many of the sponsors have re-upped and the grass has had an extra year to re-grow. It should reflect a splendid hue of green.
When interviewed, Shanette Barth Cohen, the show’s Executive Director said that Local’s Day is one of her favorite times of the Show. It’s when trainers from area barns get to show their wares at one of the most prestigious jumping events in the country. “For many riders, as far as being competitors, their whole purpose is to show at the Hampton Classic.” It will be fun shooting photos of the local people that I see each week in my photo jaunts around the area stables.
The Classic’s 65-acre venue boasts six show rings, the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden with almost 80 vendors, international food options as well as the Classic’s high-end VIP areas. There are also kid-friendly activities throughout the week including pony rides, petting farm animals, daily special attractions and more. I think that I am going to have to keep extra batteries and SD cards on hand.
Almost half of the Board are my Compushine clients, so it should be fun to see them as well.