4 Generations of Hamptons Horse Girls

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. 

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. 

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/