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Hampton Classic to Host Finals for the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities on Monday, August 25

August 13, 2025

Bridgehampton, NY—August 13, 2008—Equestrians who compete in the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities (LIHSSRD) once again have the opportunity to compete at The Hampton Classic Horse Show on Monday, August 25.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, returns to Bridgehampton August 24 – 31. The Classic hosts exciting hunter/jumper competition from junior levels up to the pinnacle of the sport, grand prix show jumping, culminating with the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier on Sunday afternoon, August 31 at 2:00 pm.
The LIHSSRD made its debut at the Hampton Classic in 2006. The show series, created by HorseAbility, was founded to provide riders with disabilities the same competitive experience that other equestrians enjoy.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the LIHSSRD championships to the Hampton Classic,” said Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Barth Cohen. “It is wonderful to see these riders compete and we urge everybody to come out and support them on Monday, August 25.”

The LIHSSRD competition at the Hampton Classic is the culmination of the organization’s eight-show series that took place at various horse shows on Long Island in the spring and summer of 2008. Thirty-five riders competed in the series with the hopes of qualifying for the Finals, but only the top 10 in the “With Aids” Division and top 9 in the “Independent” Division qualified to ride at the Hampton Classic Finals. Riders compete in classes such as walk, walk/trot, walk/trot/figure 8 and walk/trot/canter and are awarded points according to USEF rules for equitation classes.

Last year, Tara Smilowitz was Champion in the Equitation “Independent” Division and Kelsey Renz was Reserve Champion. In the “With Aids” Division, April Kloepfer won the Championship and Victoria Natale was Reserve Champion. These four riders have been invited back to the Finals to present this year’s champions with their awards.

HorseAbility was founded in 1993 by Kathleen (Katie) Kilcommons McGowan when she lent her horse to a friend and physical therapist who used therapeutic riding as a method of treatment for a child with cerebral palsy. When Ms. McGowan saw the child’s physical and emotional connection with the animal and subsequent acceleration in his treatment, she knew she had found her calling. Combining her education, love of children, and long-standing relationship with horses, she founded HorseAbility.
Since then, the organization has become a New York Not-for-Profit Corporation and is one of only two “premier centers” on Long Island as accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Its mission is to offer a wide range of horse-related programs to those with special needs in order to promote their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

“We are thrilled to be returning to the Hampton Classic Horse Shows for the LIHSSRD Finals this year,” said McGowan. “Our riders are more excited than ever, and we are looking forward to a great day of competition!”

This was the biggest season for LIHSSRD thus far, with riders from 5 different barns from all over Long Island participating. Host shows this season were Thomas School (Melville, NY), Salt River (Center Moriches, NY) and Glen Head (Muttontown, NY).

The Hampton Classic’s equestrian competition begins on Sunday, August 24 and continues through Sunday, August 31, with hunter, jumper and equitation competition daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The show also features more than 70 boutiques, an international food court, pony rides, a petting zoo, special attractions, and much more. The show ends on Sunday, August 31, with the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix and World Cup™ Qualifer.

More information on HorseAbility and the LIHSSRD can be found at http://www.horseability.org, by emailing [email protected] or calling (631) 367-1646.

Written by Classic Communications · Filed Under Hampton Classic, Press Releases 
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