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Krista
Freundlich Wins Hampton Classic Derby Welcome Stake at the
2002 Hampton Classic Horse Show
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BRIDGEHAMPTON,
NY— August 30, 2002 — Krista Freundlich of Locust, NJ,
rode away the winner of the $7,500 Hampton Classic Derby Welcome
Stake at the 27th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton,
NY.
Open
to Junior riders age 18 and under and Amateur-Owner riders, Junior
competitor Freundlich topped the field of 42 horse-and-rider combinations.
Spectators waited until almost the very end to get their winner
when Freundlich and her horse, Laurin, posted a clear round and
crossed the finish line in a time of 72.56 seconds.
Freundlich,
who trains with Frank Madden in Colts Neck, NJ, recently competed
at the 2002 North American Young Riders’ Championships in Old
Mill Creek, IL, with much success.
Second
place went to Andrew Ramsay of Oakland, CA, and Lisa, who clocked
in at 74.17 seconds while New York’s Kristy McCormack placed
third with Marga. McCormack’s original time of 72.30 seconds
would have won the class, but a rail down at the eighth fence cost
her a five-second time penalty.
The
$7,5000 Hampton Classic Derby Welcome Stake acts as a qualifier
for Sunday’s $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby. The top
thirty riders advance to the Derby, where they will ride in the
reverse order of their placing in the Stake, giving the advantage
on Sunday to Freundlich.
The
$1,000 Groom’s class offered fun as opposed to serious competition.
Unique to the Hampton Classic, the class gives the hard-working
individuals who care for the horses full-time outside the ring an
opportunity to compete while being cheered on by their employers,
friends and fellow grooms.
Martin
Ochoa was the big winner, collecting $300 in prize money for his
performance aboard the 10-year-old Aspen, owned by Stephanie Riggio,
who had won a class at the Hampton Classic with Aspen earlier in
the day.
Grooms
are judged in two phases, firstly on the presentation of their horses
and knowledge of their care. Grooms then mount their horses and
walk and trot and are also allowed to canter for bonus points.
“The
best part was the canter!” said Ochoa, a native of Mexico who
has worked for Meadowview Stables in the Hamptons for three and
a half years. “I get to ride him about once a month. And I
can jump him, too!”
Jesus
Valdivia, who placed second with Pine Hollow Stables’ Ciao,
had braided his horse’s mane with the colors of green, white
and red to celebrate his Mexican heritage. Third place went to Victor
Briseno and Aguila, a horse who normally shows in the grand prix
ring with owner Jimmy Torano.
The
Hampton Classic is one of the nation’s premier show jumping
competitions. Many of the world’s best equestrians are competing
for more than $250,000 in prize money during the Classic, which
benefits the Southampton Hospital. Each day of the show is devoted
to special events and social activities, culminating with the $150,000
Prudential Financial Grand Prix on Sunday, September 1.
Other
featured show jumping events during the Hampton Classic include
the $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, the $25,000
Sally Hansen 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.
In
addition to the competition, spectators will be treated to a variety
of other exciting exhibits including the Boutique Garden’s
numerous vendor booths, Stable Row’s 20 booths, three on-site
public restaurants, and an Exhibition Horse/Children’s area
open throughout the week.
The
Hampton Classic continues through Sunday, September 1. 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.
For
more information, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com
or
call 631-537-3177.
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