Hampton Classic Appoints Stephanie Lightner as Equestrian Manager

The Hampton Classic Horse Show has appointed longtime horse show manager and FEI official Stephanie Lightner as its new Equestrian Manager. Lightner succeeds Allen Rheinheimer, who has held the position since 2014.

The 47^th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 27-September 3, with a full schedule of world-class equestrian competition. Offering more than $1 million in prize money, the Classic is highlighted by the $410,000 Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix on Sunday, September 3.

Respected internationally as a horse show manager and official, Lightner has served in both those roles at FEI show jumping events across the U.S. and abroad. In 1993, she joined with Robert Ridland and helped build Showpark of San Diego and Blenheim EquiSports into major horse show management companies. Over the years, she has managed a full schedule of horse shows for Blenheim, which currently produces about 20 hunter-jumper horse shows per year including the acclaimed Las Vegas National Horse Show and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of USA that will debut in May 2023.

Lightner served as manager of the 2000 and 2004 USEF Olympic Selection Trials and 2002 World Equestrian Games (WEG) Selection Trials. She helped organize the 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas and served as manager of the Finals in 2015. Lightner is also manager of the National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky.

Lightner has served as an FEI steward at major events in the U.S. and abroad including the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) and Pan American Games in Guadalajara (MEX). She has served as Chairman of the USEF Competition Management Committee and is a member of the USHJA Competition Management Committee and World Championship Hunter Rider Task Force.

“Stephanie’s experience managing horse shows and working with event officials and the sport’s governing bodies is truly impressive,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, the Classic’s Executive Director. “With our new status as a Five Star, we are sure to benefit from Stephanie’s knowledge and experience, and it is very exciting to welcome her to our team.”

“In addition to welcoming Stephanie Lightner to the Hampton Classic, I want to express the Board’s thanks to Allen Rheinheimer for his years of service,” said Board President Dennis Suskind. “Allen played an integral role in improving the Hampton Classic and elevating it to a new status, and we are forever in his debt.”

Each year approximately 50,000 people come to watch the nation’s best equestrian athletes compete at the Hampton Classic. Rated USEF ‘Premier-6’ for hunters and jumpers with designated FEI 2* and 5* classes, the Hampton Classic features more than 200 competitions in six spectacular show rings, the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options, all on its world-class 60-acre show grounds.

For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com