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Garden Boutique at Hampton Classic Horse Show Offers Diverse Shopping Experience

August 26, 2025

Bridgehampton, NY-August 26, 2008-Whether you’re in the market for a $3 souvenir pen or a six-figure luxury vehicle, it can be found among the offerings at a unique collection of shops at the Hampton Classic Horse Show Boutique Garden. Anchored at each end of the show grounds, the extravaganza offers horse show attendees a wide array of items, as well as fun interactive shopping experiences.

The 33rd Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, continues through Sunday, August 31. The Classic hosts hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to Olympic veterans in the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix. Entered in the show are two Olympic riders who flew directly from the Olympic show jumping competition in Hong Kong: individual gold medalist Eric Lamaze of Canada and McLain Ward, a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team.

Among the approximately 50 vendors onsite are a number of international shops. Those who stroll through the shops adjacent to the Food Court are greeted by a handily clad Irishman standing smack in a trough of water-and yes, he really is wearing $439 leather boots. Despite all appearances, though, Danny Hulse has not taken leave of his senses. The head of U.S. operations for Dubarry Outdoor, an Ireland-based company, is demonstrating that the company’s popular Galway boot is waterproof and breathable.

While its performance strengths are a major draw for those who have to brave the elements to attend to horses, the Galway, an attractive leather Wellington-type boot, has also become a fashion statement with non-riders alike. “These are not just hardworking boots. They are elegant and very stylish,” said Hulse, who noted their popularity as streetwear, après ski attire, barnwear and a myriad of other uses.

If custom-made boots are more to your liking, Der-Dau has an amazing display available from $1,200 to $2,500 in nearly every type of leather imaginable: exotic skins such as alligator, python and ostrich, as well as the more traditional baby calf, French calf and Italian leather. Owner Jose Der says his number one seller is baby calf leather because it is very soft and easy to break in, a definite plus for riding boots. He also offers custom-made half-chaps for riders. Worn over paddock boots in lieu of tall boots, the half-chaps range from $550 to $1500.

Shoppers who tire from walking around the maze of shops may wish to try out the driver’s seat of a four-wheel-drive luxury SUV, courtesy of Land Rover of Southampton, or a Jaguar from Jaguar of Southampton, which are under the same tent. Prices for a Range Rover Sport model begin at $63,000.

A.J. Alfino, general sales manager, says Land Rover’s luxury sport utility vehicles are ideal for equestrians. “The beautiful thing about a vehicle like this is that you can pull your horse trailer with it during the day, unhitch it and go out to dinner in it. Its on-road and off-road rides are so exceptional that it really sets us apart.” (Of course, those who prefer to have two vehicles can use a Land Rover for hauling up to 7,500 pounds and switch to a Jag for two-footed outings.)

Another way to relax and shop on the horse show grounds is to visit bluhammock music and bluhorse apparel, sister companies that share a booth. The former is an independent record label based in New York City. Those who wish to hear some of the label’s artists can stretch out in one of the blue hammocks in front of the booth and listen on an MP3 player provided by bluhammock music. CDs are also available for purchase at $12.99.

Inside the bluhorse booth, shoppers will find equestrian-themed apparel including T-shirts, hoodies and jackets. T-shirts range from $39 to $89. Bluhorse clothing chief Bob Ryers said his attire is designed to fit equestrians, who typically have wide shoulders, muscled biceps and narrow waists. His hoodies have hoods large enough to fit over a riding helmet and double zippers made of brass for easy adjustment while atop a horse.

No one wants to leave a show like the Hampton Classic without a take-home memory of the event. The Hampton Classic Souvenir Shop is onsite with items for children, men, women, riders and nonriders alike, ranging from a less than $10 (pens and pins) to $110 (jackets). Shop manager Doe-Ann Powell said among the most popular items are Hampton Classic logo T-shirts ($25) and polo shirts ($50). Among the featured items this year are women’s sunhats with a brim, available in two styles and several fashion colors ($30-40).

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 Hamptons’ summer season. The Classic’s featured event, the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier, will be held on Sunday afternoon, August 31.

Upcoming highlights in the Hampton Classic’s Grand Prix Ring are the bluhammock music 1.45 meter Open Jumper class on Thursday; the $50,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday; Cablevision Kid’s Day on Saturday featuring the $30,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Challenge and the final phase of the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship.

Sunday 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. Both these classes take place in the morning prior to the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier.

This year the horse show has initiated the VOX Rider Challenge, sponsored by VOX Magazine, with $30,000 in prize money being awarded to the top four riders in the horse show’s Open Jumper division. Riders have the chance to compete all week in the open jumper classes, with the top finish in each class, regardless of mount, being counted towards their final point totals. The winners will be presented with their prize money on Sunday afternoon following be the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix.

Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have 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 $200,000 FTI Grand Prix will also air on Animal Planet on Saturday, October 4 at 3:00 pm (ET/PT).

The Classic is also receiving extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, a long-time sponsor and the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU is broadcasting updates daily throughout the Classic to go along with live programs from the Classic on Sunday, August 24 and Friday-Sunday, August 29-31. Friday’s live broadcast is anchored by WLIU’s midday host, Brian Cosgrove, while the weekend broadcasts are anchored by Bonnie Grice and Porter Bibb.

The 2009 Hampton Classic will be held one week earlier than usual. Rather than culminating on Labor Day week-end, the 34th annual Hampton Classic will open on Sunday, August 23 and conclude on Sunday, August 30. The Classic will return to its traditional dates in 2010.

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.

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