The Irish flag flew once again the Hampton Classic for Shane Sweetnam, after he won Saturday’s $70,000 LONGINES Cup with Indra van de Oude Heihoef, owned by the Blue Buckle Group. It was also two years in a row for Sweetnam, as he won this class in 2017 with another of his top mounts, Main Road.

Following two rounds of competition Saturday at the Hampton Classic, Mimi Gochman of Palm Beach, FLA came out on top in the $10,000 Equitation Championship presented by Palm Beach International Academy.

Kids’ Day presented by News 12 returned to the Hampton Classic Saturday, featuring special activities to educate, entertain and delight kids of all ages. Always one of the most popular days for families at the Classic, children under 12 from Long Island and all around the New York metropolitan area enjoyed free admission, free lunch boxes from News 12, complimentary pony rides, animals, games, music, MAGIC and educational exhibits. 

Sweetnam’s Win Earns Approximately $10,000 for the Group for the East End, through the Hampton Classic’s Jump for Charity Program

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam had the luxury of having two horses in the jump-off in Friday’s $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix-Qualifier CSI4*, presented by Longines. Sweetnam took full advantage of having a second opportunity to ride the course, putting into place changes that would ultimately help him win the class.

Activity in the jumper rings picked up speed Friday morning at the Hampton Classic, with qualifying classes taking place for those hoping to move forward to the weekend’s finals, and championships being awarded in divisions having taken place throughout the week.

It was Ladies First in Thursday’s $40,000 SOVARO® FEI Speed Stake presented by Lisa & Mario Deslauriers and Lynn Tarnopol, as two-time US Olympic medalist Leslie Burr-Howard and mare Donna Speciale blazed to the top of the class at the 43rd Hampton Classic.

The Hampton Classic represents the culmination of the outdoor season for many show hunters in America. Top hunters are crowned and now begin their preparations for the indoor fall events.

With the opening of the FEI division Wednesday at the Hampton Classic, it became very obvious, very quickly that every clean round would be earned and not given. 

Rachel McMullen wins the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search at her First Hampton Classic

If riders could create a theme song for Tuesday morning’s Open Jumper classes, it would be something like “keep away from fence 10-A.”

Animal Adoption Day celebrated its eighth year at the Hampton Classic Monday, with rescue dogs, cats and horses from a variety of animal rescues and shelters on Long Island and beyond on hand.