The Hamptons

The Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, has selected Michel Vaillancourt as its new Course Designer for Grand Prix ring classes. Now in its 43rd year, the world-class show returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 26th to September 2nd, 2018 when it will again host the best horses and riders from across the nation and around the world, including Olympic veterans from several countries, who will be competing for some of the country’s richest prize money.

Shanette Barth Cohen, the horse show’s Executive Director, commented, “We are thrilled that Michel Vaillancourt will be joining us as Course Designer at the Hampton Classic this year. He is highly respected by the world’s top riders for building challenging and fair courses, and he brings a unique perspective as a former international competitor himself.”

Vaillancourt is an FEI Level 4 course designer who designs courses at top international competitions around the globe. Originally from Quebec, Canada, and now based in Aiken, SC, Vaillancourt was the Course Designer at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto where his courses received rave reviews from the competitors. He succeeds Alan Wade of Ireland who has stepped down to focus on his role as Course Designer for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ being held in Tryon, North Carolina shortly after the Hampton Classic. Continuing the Classic’s legacy of world-class course designers, Wade had followed Guilherme Jorge, Course Designer for the 2016 Olympic Games, and Conrad Homfeld, Course Designer for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Vaillancourt made history when, at just 22 years of age, he became the youngest rider, and first Canadian rider, to win an individual Olympic medal in show jumping when he won the individual Silver at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Vaillancourt was also part of the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games, bringing home team Bronze and Silver medals, respectively. He also helped Canada win team Gold at the 1980 Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. In 2009, Vaillancourt was inducted into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame and he was honored as the 2016 Jump Canada Official of the Year.

The Hampton Classic is a premier destination for the ‘who’s who’ in the horse show world, hosting a bevy of top names in the sport of international show jumping that compete for some of the richest prize money in the nation. The show hosts more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities and showcases the highest levels of equestrian show jumping competition in six show rings. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered at all levels, from leadline classes and all the way up to grand prix level. Classes are also featured for riders with disabilities.

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 also features luxurious shopping at more than 70 vendors at their Boutique Garden as well as a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer’s Market, all on its immaculate 60-acre show grounds.
hamptonclassic.com

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