Bridgehampton, NY—August 31, 2006—Leslie Burr Howard of Westport, CT, captured the Ciesse Open Jumper 1.40 meter class on the first sunny day of the 31st Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. Howard rode Youp, owned by the S’Blieft Group, to a faultless performance in a time of 60.29 seconds.
Second went to Darragh Kerins of Wellington, FL, 2004 champion of the Hampton Classic’s $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix. Kerins rode Perquin, owned by Ralph and Holly Caristo, to a clear round in a time of 62.18 seconds. Darlene Sandlin of Canastota, NY, and Holiday, owned by Sandlin Equine, was third with a clean round in a time of 62.33.
Howard and Youp were the fastest of twenty clear rounds out of a massive starting field of 97 competitors. Many of the riders were getting their first ride in the Grand Prix ring after rain earlier in the week moved most classes out of the ring. Several just galloped around in order to give their horses a good look before the $50,000 Grey Goose Vodka FEI World Cup and Grand Prix Qualifier scheduled for Friday afternoon. The Qualifier sets the line-up for the Classic’s main event, the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, which takes place on Sunday afternoon.
The Hampton Classic runs through Sunday, September 3. Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under 6 admitted free, and children under 12 are free on Cablevision’s Kids Day on Saturday. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 3 is $15 per person (in addition to regular admission) or $25 per person in the special Premium Seating center sections. Parking is free throughout the week.
Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity to enjoy the show on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, is broadcasting up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.
Additionally, WCBS-TV/CBS 2 New York, the official New York television station of the Hampton Classic, will broadcast a special one-hour program of Hampton Classic highlights on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. The special will feature action from the frontlines, behind the scenes, and colorful social events connected with the Classic.
The Classic is also receiving extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3.
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