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Hamptons.com
August 14, 2023

4 Generations of Hamptons Horse Girls

Sarah Doudby Sarah Doud
in Community, Trending
Home Community
Dawn Brennan Hagen, Diana Brennan, Annabelle Doud, Deborah Thayer, Elizabeth Doud, Sarah Doud

Spit shine my boots, deep clean my tack, and lay out my outfit – that was my ritual.

 

For others, there are superstitions, lucky quarters in their pants pocket or wearing lucky jewelry.

 

Why, you ask. Because it’s showtime! And the competition is the best of the best, right in your backyard. 

 

I have so many great memories from my years competing as a junior rider in the Hampton Classic Horse Show. I imagine one day, I’ll be lucky enough to return as an adult competitor, but I am thankful for those many joyful years of competition. I know the happiness of coming home with good memories – wins and losses, beautiful ribbons, and the annual Hampton Classic posters to decorate my walls…

 

Today, those memories and mementos have become memorabilia of yesteryears as the next generation hears these tales and practices for their own Hampton Classic Debut. 

Elizabeth (5) and Annabelle (4)

My daughters Elizabeth (5) and Annabelle (4) have been practicing mostly with their backyard ponies at home, with a few lessons at North Fork Equestrian, and on borrowed show ponies at smaller lead-line horse shows like the Wolffer Estate Pony Classic and the Sagaponack Horse Show. As most riders do, these little equestrians have set their sights on the iconic Hampton Classic. 

 

Founded at the turn of the century, the Hampton Classic has endured world wars, depressions and recessions, numerous hurricanes, and even a freak tornado. Through it all, the show still stands bigger and better today than ever. My grandmother Diana Brennan of Bridgehampton, is one of the instrumental visionaries who contributed to the show’s greatness.

 

When the show had its latest revival in the 1980s, my grandmother Diana helped secure the location of the current showgrounds on Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton. She also helped curate the Boutique Garden – for which she had a true passion as a founder of the first local Bridgehampton equestrian shop, Brennan’s Bit and Bridle, which remains open today under new ownership but the same name and location just down the street from the show grounds. 

 

“Going to the Hampton Classic is like walking down memory lane. Each year, I look forward to seeing all the close friends and families who contributed so much time and energy to create what today is a favorite event for all equestrians,” said Brennan.

 

For me, this personal connection with the history of the Hamptons brings me a profound sense of pride. That pride and passion is shared with others who have a lifelong connection to the show, including current Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Barth Cohen. She competed in the show as a kid, “I started riding at the Hampton Classic in the medium pony hunters at about 8 or 9 years old.” 

 

Cohen says of the founding members like my grandmother, “I’m so appreciative of the vision and dedication of the founders of the Hampton Classic, without whom this show would not exist.”

And it is a dedication that’s continued from generation to generation. 

 

Brennan’s daughter, my mother, Dawn Brennan Hagen, worked at Brennan’s Bit & Bridle as a young woman and still rides competitively today, “The Hampton classic each year brings back memories of packing up the store and doing a display on the show grounds, setting up the boutique tent with merchandise and flowers. There was a sense of community, and there was the excitement of people coming from all over the world to our little town on the East End to compete.”

 

Cohen added, “Having a show like the Hampton Classic in the area allows people to be introduced to the sport at the highest level. I love hearing from people in the community about how much they enjoyed being here and how impressed they were by the human and equine athletes. The Classic is a fixture on the calendars for so many on Long Island, even if they don’t have any personal connection to someone competing.” 

 

In my family, a love for the Hampton Classic is born from a love of the sport. Showing has been a family tradition since my mother, Dawn, and her sister Deborah Thayer started competing in the horse show in the 1970s at the previous Dune Alpin location in East Hampton. Each year, the sisters return to compete or spectate – reuniting with friends, competitors, neighbors, and family. 

Elizabeth Doud and Annabelle Doud

And this year is expected to be equally as enjoyable. “Exhibitors and spectators will enjoy the atmosphere at the Hampton Classic, which has a unique, celebratory feel. The crowds are large, even mid-week and at outer rings, and the onsite boutiques and food concessions offer a huge variety. And, most importantly, our competition rings offer world-class equestrian competition,” says Cohen.

 

From our equestrian family to all of those riding in the Hampton Classic this year – be safe, good luck, and congratulations! 

 

For more information on the history of the Hampton Classic and for ticket information, visit:  https://www.hamptonclassic.com/

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Hofstra Pro-Am Tennis & Pickleball Event in the Hamptons

August 29 @ 09:00 AM - August 29 @ 03:00 PM
Hampton Racquet - 172 Buckskill Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937
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The HUB Hosts Printemps’ First Hamptons Pop-Up Activation- Printemps × CocoRedoux Atelier 8/29-8/31

August 29 @ 11:00 AM - August 31 @ 06:00 PM
The HUB 2183 Montauk Hwy, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
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Jaws – 50th Anniversary

August 29 @ 01:30 PM - August 29 @ 10:00 PM
2 Brook Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
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Gene Casey at The Clubhouse

August 29 @ 06:00 PM - August 29 @ 09:00 PM
174 Daniels Hole Road, East Hampton, NY, 11937
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Hamptons Jazz Fest Presents JANE IRA BLOOM QUARTET

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Montenegro Amaro, in the Mix at Roberta’s Montauk

  • An inside look on the Hampton Classic
#hamptonclasic #horseshow
  • Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!⁠
⁠
⁠
📍 The Montauk General X Lands’ End⁠
🗓 Thurs, Aug 28 – Sun, Aug 31 | 10am–3pm⁠
📌 Montauk General Store at The Brunch Playhouse, 14 Amagansett Square⁠
🎁 Free limited-edition tote with orders over $100 (while supplies last)⁠
⁠
🐎 50th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show⁠
🗓 Thurs, Aug 28 – Sun, Aug 31 | 8am–5pm⁠
📌 240 Snake Hollow Rd, Bridgehampton⁠
⁠
🍇 Wölffer Estate Vineyard PPL All-Star 2025⁠
🗓 Sat, Aug 30⁠
📌 Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack⁠
🎾 World-class padel at the Hamptons’ most iconic vineyard⁠
⁠
😂 Zarna Garg at WHBPAC⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 8pm–9:30pm⁠
📌 76 Main St, Westhampton Beach⁠
⁠
🎶 Joe Delia & Friends at The Clubhouse Hamptons⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 6pm⁠
📌 174 Daniels Hole Rd, East Hampton⁠
⁠
🎧 Silent Disco Dance Party in the Garden⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 8pm⁠
📌 Guild Hall, East Hampton⁠
⁠
👗 Marfa & Friends Trunk Show⁠
🗓 Thurs, Aug 28 – Sat, Aug 30⁠
📌 Sag Harbor⁠
⁠
🎬 Jaws’ 50th Anniversary Screening at Sunset Theater⁠
🗓 Fri, Aug 29 – Mon, Sept 1⁠
📌 Water Mill⁠
⁠
👠 Hamptons Fashion Week⁠
🗓 Sat, Aug 30 | 2pm⁠
📌 Location TBA⁠
⁠
🎸 Dogpark at The Stephen Talkhouse⁠
🗓 Sat, Aug 30 | 8pm⁠
📌 Amagansett⁠
⁠
🍴 Stirring The Pot: Florence Fabricant & Pete Wells⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 11am–1pm⁠
📌 Guild Hall, East Hampton⁠
⁠
🌊 ANOTR at Surf Lodge⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 4pm⁠
📌 Montauk⁠
⁠
🎷 Garden Concert ft. Freddy DeBoe⁠
🗓 Sun, Aug 31 | 6pm⁠
📌 Canoe Place Inn, Hampton Bays⁠
⁠
🔗 Link in Bio⁠
⁠
#hamptons #wolffer #padel #landsend #montauk #fashion
  • Earlier this month, Shelter Island’s Rams Head Inn hosted a riveting Gilded Age Finale screening featuring lead actress Cynthia Nixon, award-winning costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone, and executive producer/director Michael Engler.⁠
⁠
📸:Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com⁠
⁠
Check out the full gallery at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#ramsheadinn #gildedage #shelterisland #cynthianixon #shelterislandny
  • Culinary and lifestyle icon Ina Garten will host an intimate tea and garden tour at her famed East Hampton residence on Wednesday, August 27th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. A limited number of guests will be invited to share tea with Ina and walk with her through her celebrated gardens and grounds.⁠
⁠
Known for her signature warmth and effortless approach to cooking and entertaining, Ina has earned a devoted following across generations. With her calm presence, foolproof recipes, and signature phrases like “store-bought is fine,” she takes the pressure off hosting, making room for only joy at the table.⁠
⁠
Read the full article at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#hamptons #inagarten #community #easthampton
  • The magic of The Soho Sessions returns to the Hamptons this summer, bringing a rare and intimate live performance to Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on Monday, August 25, 2025. This one-night-only event features Grammy Award-winning artist Maren Morris (with introduction by the actor Jason Biggs) and the genre-defying powerhouse Yola in a night of music with purpose and soul.⁠
⁠
It’s also a night for change. The event supports Music Will, the largest nonprofit music education program for schools in the U.S., which aims to reach 10 million students annually by 2030. It’s a cause that hits home for Morris: “I loved my choir and theatre classes in high school; they really shaped my theory and love for being creative in every medium,” she recalls. “It also teaches you how to be a team player and work together.”⁠
⁠
Read the full article at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#stephentalkhouse #talkhouse #amagansett #marenmorris #yola #concert #hamptons
  • @wagsandwalks @themontaukbeachhouse 

Puppies + Pilates + @montaukila = The Perfect Day

Check out our Events Calendar for more events! (link in bio)

#wagsandwalks #animaladoption #adoptdontshop❤️ #dog #montauk #montaukbeachhouse #montaukila #pilates
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