First organized in the early 1900s in Southampton, the show was discontinued during the World War I. It was revived in the Roaring '20s and discontinued again for World War II. In 1959 the revived show was known as the Southampton Horse Show . . .
First organized in the early 1900s in Southampton, the show was discontinued during the World War I. It was revived in the Roaring â20s and discontinued again for World War II. In 1959 the revived show was known as the Southampton Horse Show . . . which became dormant from the mid-1960s until being revived yet again in 1971 at the Topping Riding Club in Sagaponack.
The show evolved into what is now known as the Hampton Classic when it expanded in 1976 from a local one-day show to a rated five-day show that was moved to Dune Alpin Farm in East Hampton. That year a hurricane hit just before the show was to open, taking down all the tents. They were re-erected and the show started a day and half late.
In 1978, the name was officially changed to the Hampton Classic. In 1982, the show moved to its present location on Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton where it endured several more hurricanes over the years.
Today, the Hampton Classic is one of the countryâs largest hunter/jumper horse shows. With more than 1,300 horses exhibited and more than $500,000 in prize money offered, the Classic is not only a sporting event of major proportions, but also one of the most extravagant social events of the Hamptonâs summer season. Thousands of spectators arrive daily to watch competition in four show rings and to catch a glimpse of the many celebrity riders and spectators.
Among the participants are some of the finest Olympic show jumping athletes in North America. In all, about 60,000 spectators will attend the Classic this year. With ample parking and grandstand seating, as well as dozens of shops and restaurants on site to choose from, there is plenty to do for every member of the family.
A special exhibition tent houses the miniature horses, ponies, llamas and alpacas that participate in the Opening Day âWorld of the Horse.â There are educational programs and demonstrations here, including âKids Teaching Kidsâ where visitors learn pony care from the young volunteers.
A select group of 3,000 guests are seated in one of the largest VIP patronâs tents at any sporting event in America. These VIPs include the heads of many of the countryâs top corporations, as well as celebrity guests from television, the music industry, the fashion world and Hollywood. This mix of writers, artists, entertainers and business people produces one of the most exciting parties of the Hamptonsâ summer season.
As a result, the Hampton Classic is featured regularly in top regional and national publications such as The New Yorker, Harperâs Bazaar, Town & Country, Vogue, People, Newsday, The New York Times, In-Style, W and Womenâs Wear Daily. Dozens of corporations use the Hampton Classic as an opportunity to entertain clients and promote their products to this exciting, affluent group of Hamptons residents.
Regional network and cable television programming as well as the Classicâs national OLN-Adventure TV (Outdoor Life Network) telecast and the MSG (Madison Square Garden Network) telecast result in millions of Hampton Classic viewers worldwide. A variety of radio stations feature updated reports daily.