Marking the end of summer, the Hampton Classic Horse Show kicks off Sunday for a week of equestrian competitions, markets and fun for the whole family.
For those who are fans of the sport, you'll want to stay close to the rings. Top names in show jumping are expected to take the field, including Kent Farrington, who won the FTI Grand Prix last year on Voyeur, and Olympic Gold Medalists Joe Fargis, Beezie Madden and McLain Ward, who won the Classic a Grand Prix. a record six times. Madden is the FEI World Cup Champion.
For the full schedule, click here.
The Boutique Garden and Stable Row are filled with all kinds of shopping — 70 vendors to be exact. Alex and Ani, Der Dau, Hermès, Americana Manhasset, pucci Manuli and Wellington & Company Equestrian Antiques, to name just a few.
While shopping, you will surely work up an appetite and there is a food court to fill your stomach.
Opening Day activities include a book signing with Jayne M. Silberman, author of “In the Herd: A Photographic Journey with the Chincoteague Ponies and Assateague Horses” from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
You will notice that WPPB 88.3 FM is broadcasting live and Wölffer Estate will be hosting a sampling of their wines in the Lugano Diamonds VIP Lounge.
In the Kids Area, Long Island Livestock Co. he'll be there all week (except Monday) with llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats and Pansey the pig. Kids can also get some energy by playing table tennis. Opening day activities include Citarella cookie decorating.
General admission is $10 per person (children under 6 are free) or $20 per load. Seniors get in free from Tuesday to Thursday.
There is a break in the competition on Monday, but the venue will not be quiet and there is no entry fee.
The Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities, held at the Classic for the past eight years, takes place Monday with three divisions — one for riders who need the help of a leader, one for riders who need a spotter at the beginner independent level, and one for more advanced independent riders.
The fourth annual ASPCA Adoption Day also takes place Monday with local rescue groups including the Southampton Animal Shelter and the Hamptons Animal Rescue Fund. Jill Rappaport, award-winning animal advocate and NBC bestselling author, and ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal will host. There will be a live, interactive program featuring adoptable horses and horse rescue groups in the Anne Aspinall Ring from noon to 2 p.m.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, a carload can enter the grounds for free if it brings three or more items to donate to the Sag Harbor Food Pantry.
Tuesday's special activities include a reading with author John Kane at noon and a visit with the Wolf Conservation Center's Atka the wolf at 11 a.m.
Wednesday, Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center with read stories focusing on people from around the world throughout the day.
Delete Blood Cancer will be on hand to collect donor information for DBC's bone marrow registry on Thursday and Friday. The Hamptons Wildlife Rescue Center will display birds of prey in the Kids Area both days.
Stony Brook Children's Hospital will be on site Friday with fun and educational activities for kids, too.
Saturday is Best Day for Kids — so there's a plethora of activities focused on the young at heart. Plus, kids get in free on Saturday. Performances by the Pop-Ups Children's Band and the Grammy-nominated Bellini Family Circus are scheduled. There will also be face painting and airbrush tattooing, crafts with the Children's Museum of the East End, Amazing Zola and a presentation by the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons. Free pony rides are available for children under 12.
Artist JD Miller of Samuel Lynne Galleries, founder of the Reflectionist School, will demonstrate his painting techniques in the Lugano Diamonds VIP Lounge on Saturday.
The $250,000 FTI Consulting Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifiers are, of course, the focus of Sunday, September 1. It serves as a qualifying competition for the 2014 Longines FEI World Cup Final in Lyon, France next April.
Grand Prix reserved seating is $25 per person for grandstand stalls (plus admission) or $35 per person for premium center grandstand seating.
