By JUNE SULLIVAN
The Hampton Classic Horse Show offers world class equestrian competition
Those who can't make it to Sydney, Australia, for the summer Olympics, can get a little taste of the thrill of competition not all that far from home. This year's Hampton Classic Horse Show, August 27 - September 3 at its 67-acre show site in Bridgehampton, Long Island, will be the last stop for four Olympic riders before flying to Australia for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
These four women competitors comprise the first all-woman show jumping team in Olympic history and a special ceremony honoring them before they head off to Sydney will be held in the main arena at the Hampton Classic. (They won't be riding on their Olympic horses, however, which are already in Sydney, but will perform on other animals.)
The Hampton Classic is known for bringing together the best of the hunter-jumper circuit, thousands of spectators, extravagant social events, shopping and fine dining in the Hamptons. But let's be real. It is best known for bringing together the "lesser known" with a few real, honest-to-goodness "celebrities."
Just some of the celebrities/media personalities who have competed or attended in the past include Alec and Billy Baldwin, Candace Bergen, Christie Brinkley, Kate Capshaw, Glenn Close, Katie Couric, Bianca Jagger, Peter Jennings, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Donna Karan, Caroline Kennedy, Barbra Streisand, Martha Stewart, Steven Spielberg, just to name a few.
If hobnobbing with celebrities or viewing the athletic prowess of US Olympic competitors are not enough, however, another huge draw to the Classic has always been its popular "Kids Day,"- a carnival-like attraction, on a day when children under 12 are admitted free. This year Kids Day is September 2, and will include a petting farm, circus acts, pony rides (non-competitive), all while world class jumping is going on at the Classic's five rings nearby.
The Classic Kids Day-Teaching-Kids program will feature hands-on pony care. In addition, many equine exhibitions and educational projects incorporating the animals from the petting farm - llamas, alpacas and Miniature Horses - will captivate the little ones in our lives. A free pony ride is also included.
Child equestrians will also appreciate the $2,500 Children's Jumper Classic and the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic. These are for junior riders under the age of 18. The Grand Prix Ring main events are the $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic and the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix.
According to Jean Lindgren, executive director of the Hampton Classic, this year's opening day, August 27, is called "local day" and will celebrate "World of the Horse." It is also the Classic's 25th Anniversary and the opening celebrations will include a special ceremony dedicated to all the Long Island competitors.
"We will hold the ceremonies in the Grand Prix field," says Ms. Lindgren. "We've invited back the old act that has been doing it for years and which showcases horseback riding demonstrations, miniature horses, etc. We'll also have a Parade of Breeds. The national anthem will be sung by Kurt Vonnegut's daughter, Lily." The executive director adds that Pony Clubs will do some games on the fields so kids can see what pony clubs are like.
"The Islip Drill Team will do a demonstration," adds Ms. Lindgren, and "we're going to have one marathon carriage with "Classic Kids" promoting world singles. "The Nassau Mounted Police will demonstrate crowd control. We'll have our own unruly crowd storm the horses which will be moved back to the end of the field by the police on horseback."
Ms. Lindgren describes the Hampton Classic Horse Show environs with enthusiasm. "I think it looks like Camelot," she says. "These beautiful tents, and the green, green grass, the beautiful flowers, all give it a medieval look." She adds that it is just two miles to the ocean and three miles north to the harbor, "although the beaches are packed with people. But Bridgehampton offers tons of shops and wonderful restaurants. And all of the Hamptons are a short drive."
The number of horses expected by the organizing committee is 1,200, the Classic's prize money will total $500,000 and attendance could reach 60,000 as it did last year. The Bridgehampton location is off Montauk Highway, Route 27 at 240 Snake Hollow Road on a 60-acre showground. Classic hours are 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily (approximately).
Opening day August 27: "World of the Horse" - Local Day; Monday, August 28, with free admission is a perfect day for strolling grounds, enjoying food and shops. No competitions on that day; Thursday, August 31: Seniors Day; Friday, September 1: Prudential World Cup and Grand Prix Qualifying Class; Saturday, Sept. 2: Cablevision's Kids Day Festivities, $25,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix, Prudential Pony Jumpers; Sunday, September 3: $150,000 Crown Royal Grand Prix, $50,000 BestSelections.com Eastern Finals of the Young Jumper Championships;, $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, $75,000 Revlon Bonus Challenge.
Admission is $5 per person, $15 per carload. On Grand Prix Sunday, admission is per-person only. Children under 6 are admitted free. For information: (631) 537-3177.
