The
Country’s Best Jump at Chance to Compete at the Hampton Classic
America’s Top Athletes Entered
BRIDGEHAMPTON,
NY—August 24, 2002—Show Jumping’s biggest names will
flock to the 27th Hampton Classic Horse Show, August 25 – September
1 in Bridgehampton, NY.
In
a show like no other, America’s top equestrian athletes will
be on hand to participate in the pageantry and grandeur that has
become synonymous with the Hampton Classic. Before heading to the
World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, in September, United States
Equestrian Team (USET) riders Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, and
Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, will be on hand to compete the Hampton
Classic.
Likewise,
three of the four members of the USET’s Nations’ Cup Team
at the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, Canada, will ride
at the Hampton Classic in preparation for international competition.
Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, Alison Firestone of Upperville,
VA, and Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI, will all be competing at
the prestigious Hampton Classic. In particular, Goldstein-Engle
has a lot at stake. As the two-time defending champion of the $150,000
Prudential Financial Grand Prix, designated as a World Cup Qualifier,
the 2000 Olympian will be looking to make it three in a row on Sunday,
September 1.
Other
show jumping athletes on a hot streak coming into the Hampton Classic
include McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, who has already won numerous
grand prix events this season and placed fourth in the 2002 World
Cup Final held in Germany. The winner of the $30,000 Adequan®
Fiesta Day Grand Prix last year and a two-time winner of the Prudential
Financial Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic, Ward will be hoping
to make a return visit to the winner’s circle in 2002.
Mark
Leone will head a family story at the Hampton Classic. The youngest
of three show jumping brothers, Leone, who recently won the $50,000
Budweiser Grand Prix of Lake Placid, will be competing alongside
his brother, 1996 Olympic silver medalist Peter Leone in the grand
prix ring. In addition, Peter Leone’s student, Canadian Brian
Walker, 18, will be looking for success again this year, having
claimed the $10,000 CK Equitation Championship in 2001.
Another
young rider, 16-year-old Paige Johnson of Washington, DC, will be
back to defend her title in the $15,000 WGHR Farm's Junior/Amateur
High Jumper Classic in the grand prix ring on Saturday, August 31.
Long
Island riders competing at the Hampton Classic include Debbie Dolan-Sweeney
of Oyster Bay, NY, who is a two-time champion of the Hampton Classic’s
Prudential Financial, Argentina natives Ramiro Quintana and Federico
Sztyrle, now based in Southampton, NY, and Bridgehampton’s
own Laura Bowery.
ADDITIONAL
HAMPTON CLASSIC HORSE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Third
Annual Seniors Day, Thursday, Aug. 29: Senior citizens will be admitted
free on Seniors Day, Thursday, Aug. 29, presented by 50 Plus Senior
News. Festivities include “An Evening of Shopping” from
5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Boutiques Garden. The Evening of Shopping
is a new addition to the Classic this year and promises to be a
real hit!
Fiesta
Day, Friday Aug. 30: A tribute to Long Island’s growing Hispanic
community, Fiesta Day presented by Avis celebrates the culture and
traditions of more than 23 Spanish-speaking countries and regions
worldwide. Hispanic food, music, and dancing will be highlighted
as a tribute to diversity in work and play. A new bilingual horse
coloring book will be given to all children under 12, along with
a box of crayons, so kids can color on the spot!
Cablevision’s
Kids Day, Saturday, Aug. 31: Sure to delight kids of all ages, Cablevision’s
Kids Day will feature the National Circus Project, an opportunity
for youngsters to try out their circus skills. The day also includes
face painting, balloon sculpting, pony rides, and magic acts. A
visit to the petting zoo is included in the fun, along with the
chance to win some great prizes. Kids can even brush up on their
horse grooming skills.
Other
featured show jumping events during the Hampton Classic include
the $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, the $25,000
Sally Hansen Grand Prix, the $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix, the $50,000
Eastern Finals of the Young Jumper Championships, and the $25,000
Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby for riders under the age of 21.
The
week-long competition runs from Sunday, August 25 through Sunday,
September 1, with a break in competition on Monday, August 26. Admission
is $5 per person or $15 per carload per day, with children under
6 admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September
1, is $15 per person (in addition to $5/person or $15/carload admission)
or $25 per person for premium front-row seating. Parking throughout
the show is free.
In
addition to the competition taking place each day simultaneously
in five rings, spectators will be treated to a variety of other
exciting exhibits, including the Boutique Garden’s 40 vendor
booths, Stable Row’s 23 booths, three on-site public restaurants,
and an Exhibition Horse/Children’s area open throughout the
week.
For
more information about the Hampton Classic be sure to visit the
show’s website at www.hamptonclassic.com
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