The Hampton classic horse show

The Hampton Classic is one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the United States.
Top equestrians from around the world compete for more than one million dollars in prize money. National champion hunter competitors, Olympic medalists, and scores of children and adult amateurs make up the field riding approximately 1,400 horses entered each year in 200+ separate competitions.

The roots of the show go to the early 1900s in Southampton to a show that was discontinued during World War I. It was revived in the 1920s and then discontinued again in World War II. 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, 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.

The social scene that accompanies the show has led to heavy upscale sponsorships. 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 Hampton Classic Horse Show is always a grand way to end the summer. Held in high regard by the horse community, famous for its Hamptons celebrity sightings, and second to none in high end shopping boutiques, it earns its nickname The Classic.

 

References

The Hampton Classic Horse Show