The Hampton Classic – while surviving its fair share of major weather events, a global pandemic and other challenges that come with time – has proven to be nothing short of a stable event.
This widely recognized and highly acclaimed horse show is celebrating its 50th year by sticking to tradition while reflecting on what it took to get here.
Horses in the Hamptons have been a thing for ages. The Hampton Classic spurred from the Southampton Horse Show and has since turned into a 65-acre six-show ring with over 75 high-end vendors and 200 hunter, jumper and equitation class competitors.
In its 50th year the Classic doles out over $1 million in prize money, hosts riders of all ages and abilities from leadline classes to grand prix show jumping including Olympians, World Cup and World Championship riders, coming before the eyes of attendees in the grandstand and three different VIP areas.
Shanette Barth Cohen, executive director of the event started in her role in 2006.
She had worked the previous season with former co-executive directors Tony Hitchcock and Jean Lindgren but grew up competing in and attending the event, holding a front row seat for its evolution.
“The word classic is in our name, so we try really hard to make sure our identity is consistent,” says Barth Cohen. “But we also don’t want to be left behind and be stale.”
In her time as executive director, the event has become a Federation Equestre Internationale Concours de Saut Internatinale 5* meaning it holds events of the highest difficulty, prize money and prestige.
The event took on this ranking in 2022, the same year that they installed all-weather footing for the grounds as opposed to the grass footing, which they renovated in 2019.
Unfortunately, after the grass renovation, the 2021 season called for speedy change up, where sand footing was put in after the start of the show, due to the footing lying dormant during the pandemic and not working out for competitors.
“The average athlete wants it to be all-weather because it’s a faster track than on grass where if it’s wet or if it’s deep there’s things you can’t control. All weather footing is a more predictable surface.”
With that, the event has attracted even more top riders who are more likely to bring top horses.
Barth Cohen has also seen the athleticism of the sport increase, with riders doing more work in the gym and off of the saddle, as well as enhancements in gear for safety and comfort.
The anniversary was celebrated with a reception at The Wine Stand at Wölffer Estate (3312 Montauk Hwy., Sagaponack) on Aug. 27.
Photo collections and timelines of the event’s history are on display around the grounds and rereleased merchandise is paying homage to the longstanding tradition.
Barth Cohen’s favorite part she says, “it’s sort of a big old family reunion.”
Stop by for the last and largest events of the week from Aug. 29 through 31 at 240 Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton. Find more information click here.
