Photo Credit: KindMedia
The 49th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show concluded Sunday with the Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix, where Rene Dittmer of Germany raced to victory with one of only two double-clear rounds. He and Corsica X stopped the clock in 37.55 seconds to close their summer on a high, earning the winner’s share of the $400,000 purse.
The Hampton Classic is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. Rated USEF Premier-6 with designated FEI 5* and 2* show jumping classes, the Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
Prior to the Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix, the Hampton Classic honored eight riders who represented their countries in this summer’s Paris Olympic Games as part of the Grand Prix opening ceremonies: Daniel Bluman (ISR), Mario Deslauriers (CAN), Thaisa Erwin (AUS), Kent Farrington (USA), Darragh Kenny (IRL), Nayel Nassar (EGY), Shane Sweetnam (IRL), and McLain Ward (USA).
Forty entries representing eight countries then galloped around the technical 17-effort, 1.60m course set by Nick Granat for the Grand Prix, with eight riding clear into the jump-off. Final results came down to the wire with some faults scattered around the tiebreaker course, but Dittmer and the 11-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Glen Haven Farm and Sportpferde Dittmer GMBH left nothing on the table as they blazed through the timers in 37.55 seconds.
“It’s just unbelievable to come here and win again,” said Dittmer, who won the $39,000 Flecha Azul 5* Speed Stake in 2023. “It really means a lot to me to win in front of this amazing crowd. My horse was unbelievable this week; she jumped five clear rounds and didn’t have a rail down all week. I’m really grateful that Mark Miness trusts me with this horse. I’m super happy and still can’t quite believe that this win happened in such a prestigious event.
“I tried to go fast without being too crazy,” Dittmer added. “I knew Jordan (Coyle) and McLain (Ward) were coming after me, so I had to do what I could to make them chase the time. It worked out because if McLain had gone clear, he would’ve been faster and won. Today went in my favor, and it really is just unbelievable.”
Along with the winner’s share of the $400,000 purse, Dittmer received a Longines timepiece and bottles of wine from Wölffer Estate. Professional groom Lily Standbridge, who cares for Corsica X, received $500 from Aden Brook for her hard work keeping the horse ready to compete.
Americans Mimi Gochman and Alex Matz joined Dittmer on the podium, finishing in second and third place, respectively. Gochman celebrated her 20thbirthday with the only other double-clear round in the Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix, stopping the clock in 38.58 seconds aboard DG Sport Horse LLC’s 9-year-old gelding Inclen BH. Matz posted the fastest four-fault round in 39.09 seconds with Ikigai, 5 Star Partners’ 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion.
“I was really working on being consistent, clear and not too reckless in the jump-off,” Gochman said. “I was super happy with my horse today. He’s an incredibly scopey, careful horse. I tried very hard to present everything to go smoothly for him, and I couldn’t be happier with him.”
“I have an unbelievable horse,” Matz said. “Since I first got him, I’ve thought he is the best horse I’ve ever ridden. I’m so happy to have him with me at this level.”
