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Hampton Classic Horse Show Announces Prize Money Increase for the FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier; New Jumper Class Sponsors Announced

Release: June 16 2009

Author: severs

By Meg Schermerhorn

The Hampton Classic Horse Show, a nationally renowned premiere show jumping competition, is offering an increase in prize money for its $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier. The horse show, which returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 23-30, is also pleased to welcome several new class sponsors to this year's event.

Both riders and spectators alike are sure to be excited to see the $50,000 increase in prize money in this year's FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier. The $250,000 grand prix event serves as the horse show's feature attraction and takes place on Sunday, August 30.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer an increase in prize money for this year's FTI Grand Prix," said Shanette Barth Cohen, Executive Director of the Hampton Classic. "This year's prize money increase is sure to have our grand prix riders jumping to new heights—making for an exciting Grand Prix Sunday that is not to be missed!"

In addition to the prize money increase, the Hampton Classic is also pleased to welcome a new jumper class sponsor, Cavalor, who is sponsoring the Cavalor Open Jumper Class on Wednesday, August 26. In other Open Jumper news, Spy Coast Farm will now be the sponsor of Friday's $50,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix Qualifier; and Carolex will sponsor Sunday's $25,000 Carolex Show Jumping Derby.

"I would like to thank all of our class sponsors—both new and returning—for their support of the 34th Hampton Classic Horse Show," said Cohen. "They are a large part of what makes this event so successful, and we appreciate their involvement year after year."

The Hampton Classic Horse Show kicks off with Opening Day on Sunday, August 23. Opening day features hundreds of Long Island competitors, and is highlighted by the popular leadline competition in the grand prix ring, where 100 youngsters under the age of eight hold center stage in the morning before giving way to the Opening Day Ceremony at noon. At the ceremony, the winner of the third annual WLIU 88.3 Radio National Anthem Singing Contest will sing the anthem prior to the fast-paced $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge, an open jumper competition that has been featured at the Classic since 2003.

The Hampton Classic has been pleased to host the finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities since 2006. The culmination of a summer-long series, the riders will vie for blue ribbons in walk-trot, walk-trot-canter, and figure-eight classes on Monday, August 24. While there are no major jumping competitions on Monday, this is a great day for spectators to catch their favorite horses and riders practicing in schooling sessions, enjoy a day shopping in the Boutique Garden and Stable Row, or visit the Exhibition Tent. The ASPCA will also hold its animal behavior clinic, "Learn To Think Like a Horse." There is no admission charge on Monday.

Other Hampton Classic highlights include:

Jumpers: Open jumper classes will be held in the grand prix ring on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Cavalor will sponsor an open jumper competition on Wednesday. Other open jumper highlights during the week include the $15,000 Open Jumper Speed Derby (Friday), the $50,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix Qualifier (Friday), and the $30,000 Open Jumper Challenge (Saturday). The top up-and-coming young horses will compete in the $20,000 SHF Enterprises Five-Year-Old class, the $30,000 Split Rock Farm Six-Year-Old class, and the $30,000 Seven- and Eight-Year-old Young Jumper Championships. These divisions will be held Tuesday-Saturday of the show week. Those hoping to catch exciting amateur and junior competition shouldn't miss the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake (Friday), the $15,000 WGHR Farm Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic (Saturday), and the $25,000 Carolex Show Jumping Derby (Sunday). Children's and Adult Amateur Jumpers will compete in the Marshall & Ster

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