Bridgehampton, NY — August 24, 2003 — Jeffrey Welles of Newtown, CT, opened the 28th Hampton Classic Horse Show with a victory in the inaugural $20,000 David Yurman Time Challenge, a new Open Jumper Speed class held on Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Day, presented by Distinction Magazine, August 24.

Twenty-four horse-rider combinations contested the competition where speed was the name of the game. Welles had a clear round in the fastest time, 67.60 seconds, to win the $20,000 David Yurman Time Challenge riding Equinox, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Elizabeth Saunders.

“It was really nice to have a fun class without a lot of pressure to ride in,” said Welles. “The jumps weren’t that big, so you had to take a chance by going fast if you wanted to win.”

The final rider on course, 1996 Olympic team silver medalist Peter Leone of Greenwich, CT, came close riding Kiana, but his final time of 68.40 seconds left him in second position. Callan Solem of Colts Neck, NJ, placed third in a time of 71.12 seconds riding Warsaw for Quiet Winter Farm.

In addition to winning the first-ever $20,000 David Yurman Time Challenge, Welles also placed fourth with his first ride of the day, Nabucco.

“David Yurman’s been a great sponsor of the Hampton Classic,” noted Welles, a two-time winner of the Hampton Classic Grand Prix. “This is such a beautiful horse show and it is a beautiful field to compete on, especially when the weather is perfect like it is today.”

As the winner, Welles received $6,000 in prize money as well as a David Yurman Thoroughbred Timepiece, presented by David and Sybil Yurman, long-time residents of the Hamptons.

“We are very pleased to bring the Time Challenge to the beginning of the Hampton Classic Horse Show,” said well-known jewelry designer David Yurman. “I think that speeds counts, and jumping against the clock adds an element of excitement. What a great way to start the event and end the summer!”

The $20,000 David Yurman Time Challenge marks the tenth anniversary of David Yurman’s support of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. The Official Timepiece and Jewelry Designer of the Hampton Classic, David Yurman has also created a special Hampton Classic pendant that will be sold for $75 to with proceeds going to the Hampton Classic’s designated beneficiary, Southampton Hospital. The elegant silver pendant features the Classic logo and will be sold in the Hampton Classic Boutique in the Boutiques Garden.

In addition, David Yurman will present a handcrafted, custom-made silver and gold championship belt buckle to the winner of the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, a member event of the King Shavings/U.S. Grand Prix League (USGPL), on Sunday, August 31, 2003. A ‘David Yurman’ signature jump will be an integral part of the Grand Prix course, and will also be used in the $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix Qualifying Class, the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix, and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby.

Admission Information

The Hampton Classic Horse Show runs until Sunday, August 31. While the horses enjoy a day of rest on Monday, visitors can enjoy a day of shopping as the Boutique Garden and other displays will all be open and admission is free. Beginning Tuesday, admission is $5 per person or $15 per carload with children under six admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, August 31, is $15 per person (in addition to $5/person or $15/carload admission) or $25 per person for premium center section seating in the Grand Stands. Parking throughout the show is free.

In addition to daily competition in six rings, spectators will be treated to a variety of other exhibits including the Boutique Garden’s 40 vendor booths, Stable Row’s 20 booths, three on-site public restaurants, and the educational exhibition area ‘The World of the Horse’ complete with pony rides, the new Mercado and various displays of horses, birds, and farm animals.

www.hamptonclassic.com

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