Hampton Classic Raises Opening Day Stakes For 2016 Competition

On Sunday, August 28th, the 41st annual Hampton Classic Horse Show is returning to Bridgehampton. This year the prestigious equestrian event will offer several new sensational Opening Day competitions, as well as a special Thoroughbred Incentive Bonus.

The Opening Day action in the Anne Aspinall Ring will feature the debut of the $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby. To be considered “local”, competing horses must be stabled on Long Island for at least 75 days since January 1st, 2016. The 2016 Classic will also include a new $30,000 Speed Challenge, an Open Jumper class, that will be held in the Grand Prix Ring at the end of the first day. Additionally, riders can compete for the Opening Day New York Racing Association (NYRA) Thoroughbred Incentive Bonus. NYRA will match all prize money won by American Thoroughbreds on Opening Day, including all Local Hunter divisions, the $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby and the $30,000 Speed Challenge. Riders must present their Jockey Club certificate, Letter of identification, Lip Tattoo or TIP card to enter, and winners will need to complete a Thoroughbred Incentive Bonus Form in the Hampton Classic Show Office and mail it to NYRA to receive their bonus check.

“We are very excited about this year’s additional classes on Opening Day and are thrilled that NYRA is offering a Thoroughbred Incentive Bonus,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, the horse show’s Executive Director. “What a fantastic way to reward and help promote this multi-talented breed.” NYRA is offering the new bonus to help raise awareness for the Thoroughbred breed in the show ring. “I had an off the track Thoroughbred and know first-hand what special horses they can be,” Barth Cohen added.

The Hampton Classic is one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the United States. The world-renown event highlights the top levels of equestrian show jumping competition in a world-class setting, presenting nearly 200 classes throughout the week for horses and riders of all ages and abilities, including Olympic veterans, in six show rings. Each year the competition brings out several notable names, and has been attended by Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Matt Lauer, Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Sofia Vergara, Mary-Kate Olsen, Julianne Moore and Michael Bloomberg.

The 41st annual Hampton Classic Horse Show will be held Sunday, August 28th through Sunday, September 4th.

For more information, visit www.hamptonclassic.com.