Bridgehampton, NY-August 30, 2007-Lauren Hough of Wellington, Florida captured her first win of the 32nd annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in the bluhammock music Open Jumper 1.45 meter Speed Class on Thursday. Hough, a member of the 2000 Olympic Show Jumping team, had two entries in the class, both owned by Laura Mateo, and the young 8-year-old Quick Study got the job done with a clean round in a time of 76.57 seconds. Hough’s other mount Casadora was sixth.
The 32nd Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, continues through Sunday, September 2. The Classic hosts hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to the Olympic veterans in the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix.
With more than $500,000 in prize money, 50,000 spectators and 1,500 horses, the Hampton Classic is not only a sporting event of major proportions, but also one of the most noteworthy social events of the summer. The Classic’s featured event, the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix, will be heldonSunday afternoon, September 2.
“It was a nice open course which really suited my horse,” Hough said of the Conrad Homfeld designed plan. “I wasn’t going to go for it because I wanted to save him for the Sotheby’s International Realty Challenge on Saturday. He really had a good start and I felt we were going as fast as we needed to go. I thought he went well. It’s always nice to win. ”
Carolyn Kelly, winner of $10,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Classic at last year’s Hampton Classic, almost won her first Open Class. Riding Rulanda, owned by LuLu Equestrian Enterprises, Kelly almost had the class won until Hough beat her time of 77.85 seconds. Lady in Blue and Norman Dello Joio were third with 79.12.
The Hampton Classic continues through Sunday which is highlighted by the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, a member of event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, and the $10,000 Hermès Hunter Classic in the morning and the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix that begins at 2:00.
Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity to see it 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.
The Classic also receives extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, a long time sponsor and 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-Sunday, September 1-2.
For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501.c.3 charitable corporation.
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