The Hampton Classic Horse Show (generally referred to as the "Hampton Classic") is a
Grand Prix
Grand Prix ( , meaning ''Grand Prize''; plural Grands Prix), is a name sometimes used for competitions or sport events, alluding to the winner receiving a prize, trophy or honour
Grand Prix or grand prix may refer to:
Arts and entertainment ...
event that is one of the larger
show jumping contests in the United States. Held over
Labor Day in
Bridgehampton, part of the
town of Southampton, New York, it is one of the biggest social bashes in
the Hamptons
The Hamptons, part of the East End of Long Island, consist of the towns of Southampton and East Hampton, which together comprise the South Fork of Long Island, in Suffolk County, New York. The Hamptons are a popular seaside resort and one o ...
scene and signals the grand finale of the summer season. In 2013, the show dates were Sunday, August 25 through Sunday, September 1.
The roots of the show go to the early 1900s in Southampton to a show that was discontinued during
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. It was revived in the 1920s and then discontinued again in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
. It was revived a third time in 1959 as the "Southampton Horse Show", which was discontinued in the mid-1960s.
The current show started in 1971 by the Topping Riding Club in
Sagaponack, New York
Sagaponack is a village in the Town of Southampton in Suffolk County, on the East End of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population of the village was 313 at the 2010 census.
Sagaponack is also the name of a popular seafood re ...
, as a one-day show. In 1976 it became a five-day rated show held initially at Dune Alpin Farm in
East Hampton. In 1978, its name was formally changed to the Hampton Classic, and in 1982 it moved to its present location on Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton.
In 2006 its web site indicated it has 1,300 horses exhibited and over $500,000 in prize money.
The social scene that accompanies the show has led to heavy upscale sponsorships. In 2006 its VIP tent could house 3,000 served by white-coated waiters. Visitors promenade the grounds often with dogs and showing off elaborate hats, which are commonly worn to the prestigious Grand Prix, held on the last Sunday of the show.
The show is held at the peak of the
Atlantic hurricane season, and several shows have had to deal with hurricanes or the rains associated with them. In 1976 the tents were flattened in one storm just before the show. In 2011,
Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene was a large and destructive tropical cyclone which affected much of the Caribbean and East Coast of the United States during late August 2011. The ninth named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2011 ...
caused the start of the Hampton Classic to be postponed for three days.
[ ] The jumping contests continue even in the rain and are discontinued only when real hazards are posed to horse and rider.
The Hampton Classic is a
501(c)3
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 5 ...
not-for-profit organization with a two-fold mission: to put on a world-class equestrian event and to support other local charities. The Hampton Classic makes an annual financial contribution to
Southampton Hospital
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, centrally located in the Village of Southampton, New York, is a 125-bed hospital accredited by the Joint Commission. A location of Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is a New York State-desig ...
, and provides additional in-kind support to the hospital as well as dozens of other area charities.
References
{{reflist
External links
Official websiteNewsday photos from 2006
Southampton (town), New York
Show jumping events
Horse showing and exhibition
Equestrian sports in the United States
Tourist attractions in Suffolk County, New York