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Last September, immediately following the 2018 Hampton Classic, the Classic’s Board of Directors approved a $1 million renovation of the Classic’s famed Grand Prix field.Work began almost immediately and the project will be complete and ready to welcome back the horse show’s top national and international competitors when the 44th 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 last fall 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 was 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. Seeing the new field is very exciting and we look forward to an outstanding Hampton Classic this August!”
The project has been managed from the start 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.
“I really am thrilled with how well everything has fallen into place,” said Rheinheimer. “I commend the board for recognizing that we were beyond a band-aid approach and that a complete renovation was needed. We dug down more than six feet and built a whole new ring from the bottom up. I think that exhibitors will be thrilled with what they see this summer.”
The new field features a base of stabilization textile, perforated piping, a rock drainage layer, and an 8” topsoil/sand/fiber top layer. Installation of the Kentucky Bluegrass sod was completed last week. The field will also continue to 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 has gotten us there.”
While work on the approximately 2.5-acre arena is complete, the project has not yet been fully funded. The Hampton Classic, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, launched a capital campaign to raise $1 million, and is already 2/3 of the way to that goal. Tax-deductible contributions can be made at the Hampton Classic’s website, or by contacting the office directly. Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is available at the Hampton Classic website or by calling 631-537-3177.
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 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. This year the 44th Hampton Classic Horse Show runs from August 25th to September 1st, 2019.
Set amidst the splendor of The Hamptons on Long Island’s famed Atlantic coast, very near some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, the Hampton Classic is the culminating event of The Hamptons’ famed summer season. Considered the event ‘to see and be seen,’ A-list celebrities, business leaders, and socialites are spotted among the approximately 50,000 attendees every year – including Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Sofia Vergara, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Julianne Moore and Michael Bloomberg.
The Hampton Classic showcases more than 1,600 horses competing in 200 hunter, jumper and equitation classes in six show rings. The schedule features competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities, ranging from children’s leadline classes all the way up to the grand prix show jumping with Olympic veterans that come from all across the U.S. and abroad. The Classic, which also hosts classes for riders with disabilities, offers five FEI classes, culminating with the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix CSI4* Presented by Douglas Elliman on Sunday, September 1st. hamptonclassic.com
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