Hampton Classic Horse Show Renovating Grand Prix Field

             $1M Renovation to Continue the Classic’s Tradition of a Grass Grand Prix Field

The Hampton Classic Horse Show is renovating its famed Grand Prix field. The project will be complete and ready to welcome back the horse show’s top national and international competitors when the 44^th annual event returns to its phenomenal 60-acre showgrounds in Bridgehampton, NY, August 25-September 1, 2019.

“After much study and discussion, the decision was made to completely renovate our grass grand prix field,” said Lisa Deslauriers, chairman of the Hampton Classic Board of Directors. “As always, the safety and well-being of our horses and riders is of first and foremost concern and we are thrilled that we were able to come up with a plan to improve the footing while maintaining our tradition of a grass field.”

The close to $1 million renovation will use a similar structure as the Dublin Horse Show and Spruce Meadows. The protocol calls for a base of stabilization textile, perforated piping, a rock drainage layer, and an 8” topsoil/sand/fiber top layer. The sod will consist of a Kentucky Bluegrass/Tall Fescue blend. The installation will be completed by mid-November. In the Spring, the Classic will aerate and fertilize, as needed, to encourage the roots to grow down into the soil material. The field will also benefit from some of the capital improvements made in recent years, such as perimeter drainage, a new well, and a new irrigation system.

Hampton Classic Board President, Dennis Suskind commented, “I am excited at the prospect of having outstanding grass footing in our field, and I am confident this project will get us there.”

The project is being managed by Allen Rheinheimer, the show’s Equestrian Manager in concert with the Hampton Classic’s turf consultant, Steven McDonald. Founder of Turfgrass Disease Solutions, LLC, McDonald consults for more than 150 athletic fields, golf courses, and unique turfgrass systems each year. He received a B.S in Turfgrass Management from Delaware Valley College and a M.S. in Agronomy from University of Maryland, and is currently an instructor at Rutgers where he teaches Turf Management and Turfgrass Weed Science.

Work on the approximately 2-acre area is already underway, although the project has not yet been fully funded. The Hampton Classic, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has launched a capital campaign to raise $1 million as soon as possible. Tax-deductible contributions can be made at the Hampton Classic’s website, or by contacting the office directly.

The 2018 Hampton Classic hosted approximately 1,600 horses and riders of all ages and abilities who competed in more than 200 classes of hunter, jumper and equitation classes in their six beautifully manicured show rings. Riders from twelve nations – including Olympic and World Cup champions – competed at the world-class event, which culminated in a brilliant victory by McLain Ward in the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix CSI**** presented by Douglas Elliman.