The Classic Returns for it’s 49th Year!

It’s that time of year again! The 49th Annual Hampton Classic returns to the showgrounds on Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton from August 25 through September 1. Co-sponsored by Longines, the international clockmaker and timekeeper for equestrian events, the Hampton Classic horse show is one of the premier show jumping contests in the United States – if not the world – while moonlighting as one of the biggest social bashes in the Hamptons with over 60,000 expected attendees and the grand finale of another glorious Hamptons summer season. Drawing elite riders from all over the globe to compete in disciplines including show jumping, hunter, and equitation, this prestigious event culminates in the *5 FEI Longines Grand Prix – for a $425,000 purse! A longtime partner of the Hampton Classic, Longines also returns as the Classic’s Official Timekeeper and sponsor of the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge. And just announced: the debut of the $50,000 Kristen Baran Hunt Team Stake on Thursday, August 29, in the Aspinall Ring at 2:00 p.m. Teams in this event will consist of three riders: one professional with two amateurs and/or juniors. The amateurs will complete their rounds first, each for 25% of their team’s final score; then the professional will then complete the course for 50% of the teams score. Show Jumping Hall of Famer Steve Stephens, former Hampton Classic manager and 2008 Olympic course designer, will be guest course designer for this class.

Since its inception in 1976 as a locally sponsored horse show, the Hampton Classic has evolved into a premier equestrian showcase featuring more than 200 jumper, hunter and equitation competitions across six different showrings and offering over $1 million in prize money. The Classic is now rated Premier-6’ for hunters and jumpers by the United States Equestrian Federation with designated FEI 2* and 5* classes (“5*” means that the jumps are 5.25 feet and higher; “2*” means the jumps are up to 4.75 feet). 

Longines, the official timekeeper of the Olympics as well as the Hampton Classic, keeps the rankings of the top showjumpers in the world, many of whom will be appearing at this year’s event after returning stateside from the Paris Olympic Games. Hampton Classic habitues McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, Kent Farrington,  and Karl Cook represented Team USA in Paris. Farrington, an Olympic silver medalist from Rio in 2016 and currently ranked No. 4 in the world, had to bow out of the competition due to an allergy-related issue with his horse, Greya. Karl Cook stepped up on Caracole De La Roque, and together with teammates Laura Kraut (on Hanoverian brown gelding Baloutinue) and McLain Ward (on his new bay gelding, Ilex) took silver in team showjumping behind Great Britain. Paris is Ward’s sixth Olympic games, having collected 5 medals (3 silver, 2 gold) over his career since 2004; Kraut has 3 career Olympic medals (2 silver, 1 gold), having participated in the 2000, 2008, 2020 and 2024 games. And the Classic’s reach is completely international: World No. 1 Henrik Von Eckermann of Sweden as well as top showjumpers Ben Maher of Great Britain (ranked by Longines as No. 2), and Steve Guerdat (#3) and Martin Fuchs (#8) of Switzerland – are all expected to be in attendance in Bridgehampton after the Olympics. Von Eckermann suffered severe disappointment in Paris, having been unseated from his championship mount King Edward in the individual jumping event; Steve Guerdat took silver on his mare, Dynamix De Belheme.

The Hampton Classic is not complete without its celebrity attendees! Scan the tables in the Grand Prix VIP Tent for the usual A-Listers including Bruce Springsteen (whose daughter Jessica is a world-class equestrian, Classic competitor and former Olympian), Michael Bloomberg (whose daughter Georgina is also a famed Hampton Classic horsewoman), Billy Joel, Lorraine Bracco, Mariska Hargitay, Martha Stewart, Alec Baldwin, Christie Brinkley,  Brooke Shields, Donna Karan and couples Kelly Ripa/Mark Consuelos and Sarah Jessica Parker/Matthew Broderick. 

Beyond the competitive arena, the Hampton Classic offers premium shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Browse the 70+ shops and boutiques in the Agneta Curry Boutique Garden, ride the ponies and pet the goats with the kids at the petting zoo located in the Kids Tent. Sample the international food options and local Long Island wines in the Food Tent. Maybe you fancy a new boat? Local marinas will be on hand to showcase their best seaworthy inventory. News 12 Long Island is sponsoring Kids Day on Saturday, August 31; Monday, August 16 is pet adoption day! Give a forever home to a dog or cat – or even a horse or a donkey!

In addition to putting on a world class horse show, the Hampton Classic gives back to the Hamptons community. A 501(c) (3) charitable organization, the Hampton Classic has contributed more than $2 million to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital since 1977. The Classic also supports many other local non-profit organizations and equestrian related charities, including the EQUUS Foundation, the Sag Harbor Food Pantry, the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities, Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, Guild Hall, HEART Equine Ambulance, The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation, SOFO Museum, Stony Brook Medical, Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons, Bridgehampton Childcare Center, and Long Island Professional Horsemen’s Association. In recognition of the “backup” ambulance support the Bridgehampton Fire Department provides, the Hampton Classic donates $5,000 to the Department each year. 

Main gates open at 8:30 am; daily admission to the show is $20 per carload, paid at entrance. On Monday, admission to the showgrounds is free (no competitions, but the Boutique Garden will be open). On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, admission is free for seniors, veterans and current members of the military, or if you bring 3 or more nonperishable food items for the Sag Harbor Food Pantry.

Grandstand tickets are required for Sunday. Reserve your tickets at hamptonclassic.com.