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Sopranos Actress and her Adopted Dog in Starring Role for ASPCA at Hampton Classic Horse Show

August 27, 2025

Bridgehampton, NY-August 27, 2008-Award-winning actress Aida Turturro-better known as “Janice” on the HBO television series “The Sopranos”-lit up the stage at the Hampton Classic Horse Show with her adopted 2-year-old Labrador retriever. Buddy performed obedience skills for his owner and learned new tricks under the guidance of an animal behaviorist for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a Hampton Classic sponsor.

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.

Turturro, who recently received rave reviews in her role as Momma in the Broadway production, “Chicago,” said she donated her time to the ASPCA booth at the horse show because she is an animal lover. “I just can’t say enough about the joy of animal adoption and having an animal in your life,” she said in an interview after Buddy’s performance. “He’s my life,” she said, looking down at the black lab.

Buddy had been among a litter of 11 pups that needed adoption when he found his home with Turturro two years ago. She recalled feeling nervous about choosing a puppy from the litter. “How can you look at all those sweet faces and pick one over another?” she asked. Luckily for her, Buddy made it easy. “He came bounding up to me,” she said. “He chose me.”

Since then the two have been inseparable. Turturro spends time with the dog every day, often taking him on outings that include walks, dog park trips and swims. After her appearance at the horse show, Turturro look at Buddy and asked, “Want to go to the beach?” The dog alerted to the last word, prompting a laugh from his owner. “I know, a silly question to ask a lab, right? All they want to do is swim!” And off they went.

Other celebrity appearances at the horse show on behalf of the ASPCA continue Friday, August 29, with sessions by Annemarie Lucas, star of Animal Planet’s hit television series “Animal Precinct.”

Also on Friday, ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres and Humane Law Enforcement Assistant Director Joseph Pentangelo will present the ASPCA Maclay trophy to the winner of the ASPCA Maclay class, who will then qualify for the Maclay regionals. The Maclay Championship is the largest junior equestrian competition of the year and spotlights riders younger than 18. They are tested on their ability to navigate a course of jumps while being judged on their form, style and handling of their mount.

The Maclay Championship began in 1933, when then ASPCA board member and horseman, Alfred B. Maclay, wanted to reward and encourage excellence and compassion in junior riders. Many Maclay winners have gone on to become Olympic competitors.

In an interview, Sayres said the ASPCA was “thrilled to be a part of the 2008 Hampton Classic,” which he called “one of the finest horse competitions in the country.” As it does at the elite Westminster Dog Show, his organization chose to have a presence at the Hampton Classic because, as he said with a smile, “We have a captive and a common audience.” Sayres added: “There are a lot of professionals in the equestrian and horse show world who have a great interest in our mission and who care about horses that are less fortunate than those here on the Hampton Classic grounds.”

Sayres emphasized his organization’s commitment to promoting the well-being of horses, which includes developing of a horse rescue fund. “Most [horse] sanctuaries are so small that they can’t do effective fundraising, so we give away $400,000 to $500,000 a year to them,” he said. The largest recipient, which he praised as a “model” for the horse rescue industry, is Return to Freedom, a Lompoc, Calif., sanctuary that rescues wild horses.

Numerous ASPCA activities are planned at the Hampton Classic throughout the week and weekend. Horse show attendees can tour the first-ever custom-made animal crime scene investigation unit. The ASPCA’s CSI Unit has been on the scene at numerous high-profile animal cruelty cases, and evidence gathered through it has helped law enforcement officials convict animal abusers. In addition, animal behaviorists and educators will be on hand to answer questions about animal care and protection.

On Sunday, August 31, the concluding day of the Hampton Classic, a raffle will be held to raise funds for the ASPCA. Throughout the week tickets will be available for $20 for a chance to win a custom-made piece of stained glass art valued at $1,500, with proceeds to benefit the ASPCA.

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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