Equestrian Chris Ritchey of Compass 

Few pursuits reveal character quite like horsemanship — and fewer still illuminate a community the way the Hampton Classic does each summer. For Chris Ritchey, the intersection of equestrian life and the East End is not a lifestyle choice so much as a calling. A competitor and rider based in Bridgehampton, a board member of H.E.A.R.T., and a steadfast supporter of The Center for Therapeutic Riding of the East End, Ritchey brings to his work at Compass’s Equestrian Division the same discipline and intentionality he carries into the ring. 

In the conversation that follows, he reflects on what makes the Hampton Classic an enduring tradition, the singular culture that defines equestrian life in the Hamptons, and why giving back has always been as essential to him as the sport itself.

HRES: As both a luxury real estate professional with Compass and an active equestrian, what does the Hampton Classic mean to you personally?
Chris Ritchey: It’s no surprise that luxury real estate and the Hampton Classic go hand in hand. You only have to look around the show grounds and see the sponsors to recognize how deeply the Classic is woven into the local real estate community. Personally, it’s the perfect place to bring together clients, colleagues, and friends while celebrating one of the Hamptons’ most iconic annual traditions.

You ride and compete out of Bridgehampton. How has being immersed in the local equestrian community influenced your perspective on the Hamptons lifestyle?
Being fortunate enough to ride out of an incredible barn in Bridgehampton with trainer Rebecca Robin has given me an entirely new perspective on the Hamptons. It reminds you that beyond the beaches and beautiful homes lies a rich agricultural and equestrian heritage that has shaped this area for generations.

The horse community is incredibly welcoming and is one of the few places where lifelong locals, weekend homeowners, and visitors naturally come together around a shared passion

What makes the Hamptons such a special destination for horse enthusiasts?
The Hamptons offers something that’s becoming increasingly rare—an exceptional equestrian community set against one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in the country. You can spend the morning riding quiet trails or training at a premier facility and then end the day at the beach or enjoying dinner by the water.

While destinations like Wellington and Ocala are undoubtedly epicenters of the equestrian world, they tend to attract people whose lives revolve primarily around horses. The Hamptons is different. It offers an incredible horse community while also providing something for everyone else in the family. Whether your interests include golf, tennis, boating, beaches, world-class restaurants, or luxury shopping, you don’t have to choose between an equestrian lifestyle and everything else that makes a destination extraordinary. That’s what makes the Hamptons so unique.

You’ve dedicated significant time to organizations like C.T.R.E.E. and now serve on the Board of H.E.A.R.T. Why are these organizations so important to you personally, and what impact have you seen them make?

When my husband and I moved to the Hamptons full time, I knew I wanted to become involved with a local nonprofit. It felt like the best way to give back to the community while building meaningful relationships. Having the opportunity to work with equestrian organizations was especially rewarding after spending nearly 20 years living in New York City without horses.

C.T.R.E.E. will always hold a special place in my heart. While its mission is “Transforming Lives Through the Therapeutic Power of Horses,” I also witnessed the incredible impact it has on its volunteers. After a long day in real estate, there was something incredibly grounding about spending an evening walking horses through beautiful farm fields.

Watching students who are nonverbal, have limited mobility, or face other significant challenges gain confidence, independence, and joy through their connection with horses is something I’ll never forget. Those experiences truly change your perspective.

My work with H.E.A.R.T. is just beginning, and I’m excited to help support another organization that’s making a meaningful difference within the equestrian community.

Can you explain the mission of H.E.A.R.T. and why its work is so vital to the equestrian community?

H.E.A.R.T. (Humane Equine Aid & Rapid Transport) provides emergency transport and critical medical assistance for injured or ill horses at equestrian competitions throughout the East Coast. It’s one of those organizations most people never think about until it’s needed, but when an emergency occurs, its work is absolutely essential.

After I stepped down from the board of C.T.R.E.E., I was approached by Shanette Barth Cohen, Executive Director of the Hampton Classic, about becoming involved with H.E.A.R.T.

One of our upcoming initiatives is a shopping event at Veronica Beard in East Hampton on August 21, which I’m co-chairing with Shamin Abas, Tora Buckworth, and Heather Buchanan. Veronica Beard is generously donating 15% of the evening’s proceeds to H.E.A.R.T., and it’s a wonderful example of our community coming together to support an organization that plays such an important role in equestrian sport.

Therapeutic riding changes lives in remarkable ways. Is there a particular experience through C.T.R.E.E. that has stayed with you?
One moment has stayed with me forever.

We worked with a young student who was completely nonverbal and communicated using a touchpad. During one lesson, completely unexpectedly, they said, “Walk on.”

They were only two simple words, but in that moment everyone stopped. There wasn’t a dry eye in the arena. For the student’s parents, it was an extraordinary milestone, and for those of us who volunteered, it was a powerful reminder of why C.T.R.E.E.’s work is so important.

How do you balance a successful luxury real estate career with competing, volunteering, and serving on nonprofit boards?
People often assume that adding more commitments creates more stress, but for me it’s the opposite. Horses are what keep me balanced.

I’m not someone who can meditate or do yoga, but give me two hours at the barn and I come back completely recharged. Being around horses forces you to be present. You stop thinking about contracts, negotiations, and emails, and that mental reset makes me better at everything else I do.

Volunteering with C.T.R.E.E. and serving on the board of H.E.A.R.T. also keeps me connected to my community and reminds me that there’s more to life than business. Those experiences don’t compete with my real estate career—they make me a better professional and a more grounded person.

If you could leave readers with one message about the Hampton Classic and the organizations that support horses and riders throughout the year, what would it be?
The Hampton Classic is an incredible celebration of equestrian sport, but it’s really just one week out of the year. Behind the scenes are organizations like C.T.R.E.E. and H.E.A.R.T. that work every day to enrich lives, support riders, and ensure the welfare of horses throughout our community.

If you enjoy the beauty and excitement of the Classic, I hope you’ll also take the time to learn about—and support—the nonprofits that make our equestrian community stronger year-round. They’re truly at the heart of what makes the Hamptons such a special place for horse lovers.

And if you’re attending the Hampton Classic this year, be sure to stop by the H.E.A.R.T. trailers and say hello.

Chris’s Hampton Classic Favorites:

Favorite Hampton Classic tradition?
As much as I love the world-class competition in the show ring, my favorite Hampton Classic tradition is the Grand Prix Sunday Table Competition. It’s one of those uniquely Hamptons traditions where creativity, community, and philanthropy all come together. And, if I’m allowed to brag just a little, I still proudly display my blue ribbon for “Most Innovative Table” at home. It’s a fun reminder that while the horses are always the stars of the show, there’s plenty of friendly competition outside the ring, too.

Favorite class or event to watch?
The obvious answer is Sunday’s Grand Prix, where you can watch many of the world’s top horses and riders compete. Now that I’ve been part of the Hamptons equestrian community for a while, it’s just as much fun running from ring to ring cheering on friends as they compete.

Favorite place to grab lunch during the Classic?
Definitely a stop at the Sage & Madison coffee truck in the morning. And it’s hard to beat lunch in the VIP tent catered by Robbins Wolfe.

Favorite horse you’ve ever ridden?
That’s a tough one because every horse I’ve ridden has taught me something. If I had to choose just one, it would be Devil’s Rea. When I first started riding him, he had recently retired from the racetrack and had no experience outside of racing. With the guidance of my trainer at the time—my father, Tim Ritchey—we developed together and eventually won a show jumping team competition at the Kentucky Horse Park.

One word that describes the Hampton Classic?
FUN!