Final Weekend Ushers in Exciting Events
The Hampton Classic Horse Show arrived in Bridgehampton to great fanfare on August 26, but the final weekend is arguably the most exciting. This year, the event will again feature one of its most popular attractions, Optimum Kids Day, on Saturday, Sept. 1. But the highlight of the Classic is the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier, which will close the show on Sunday, September 2.
Optimum® Kids Day features free pony rides for children under 12 and tons of fun children’s activities, including the Laughing Pizza Family Band, the Bellini Family Circus & Friends, magic by the Amazing Zola, face painting by Ruby, llamas from Long Island Livestock and a birds of prey demonstration from the Wildlife Center of the Hamptons.
“We are excited to host Optimum® Kids Day once again as part of our schedule at the Hampton Classic,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, Hampton Classic Executive Director. “Many families return year after year to take part in all the fun activities that are held throughout the day and it’s become one of the Classic’s favorite traditions. In fact, we have some people who came as kids years ago who now come with their own children!”
GET THE FULL HAMPTON CLASSIC SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HERE.
This marks the second year at the Hampton Classic for the Laughing Pizza Family Band (www.laughingpizza.com), whose music videos can be seen on PBS. Laughing Pizza is made up of Billy, Lisa and their teenage daughter Emily. The family band plays music appropriate for all ages, and they have just released a new live DVD and CD.
Also returning is the Bellini Family Circus & Friends who, in addition to performing, will run kids workshops. Guidepost Solutions, a global leader in monitoring, compliance, international investigations and risk management solutions, will host a scavenger hunt and provide Junior Investigator Kits.
Then, Sunday marks the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier. The Grand Prix is open to horses that successfully complete Friday’s $50,000 Spy Coast Farm/Young Horse Show Series Grand Prix Qualifier, and it features Olympians, World Champions and other show jumping veterans.
This year, the Grand Prix is part of the new Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge, which awards a $200,000 bonus should the same horse-and-rider combination win the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon, $250,000 FTI Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic and $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix at the Alltech National Horse Show. Two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward won the Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon on Antares F in May and now stands to win the $200,000 bonus should he ride Antares F to wins at the remaining two events in the Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge.
Ward is the defending champion in the FTI Grand Prix, having won the title last year on Antares F. Last year’s win was his third in a row and sixth overall, giving him twice as many wins as any other rider in Hampton Classic history.
Can’t make it to the Hampton Classic? Follow the event on TV, radio, online and via social media.
WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen on line at www.wvvh.tv. Most of the Classic’s classes will also be available on www.ShowNet.biz. Photos and news releases will be on www.hamptonclassic.com.
The Classic’s featured competition, $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier, will also be shown online on the USEF Network (www.usefnetwork.com) and on HRTV (www.HRTV.com).
Live radio updates will be available on WPPB 88.3 (Peconic Public Broadcasting) on Sunday, August 26; Saturday, September 1; and Sunday, September 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and on WLNG (Oldies 92.1FM) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29; Thursday, August 30; and Friday, August 31.
You can also follow the Hampton Classic via social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and watch on your handheld devices (log on to www.wvvh.com/apple.html or www.shownetvision.com).
“Check in” at the Hampton Classic each day on FourSquare for special offers. Every day you check in at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, you will receive 10% off in the Hampton Classic Souvenir Shop. If you check in on five or more days, you will receive a free Hampton Classic Horse Show lapel pin.