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Joe Fargis Wins Jaguar 1.45m Open Jumper Class at Hampton Classic Horse Show

August 27, 2025

Bridgehampton, NY-August 27, 2008-Olympian Joe Fargis of Middleburg, Virginia, cruised to a win aboard Kimber in the Jaguar 1.45m Open Jumper Class at the 33rd Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. He had the fastest clean round in the jump-off with 31.16 seconds.

One of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic 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. Show entries include two Olympic riders who flew in directly from the Olympic show jumping competition in Hong Kong: McLain Ward, a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, and individual gold medalist Eric Lamaze of Canada.

His win at the Hampton Classic clearly meant a lot to Fargis, who lived in Southampton for 15 years before relocating to Virginia in 2007. “I’ve been a part of this show for a long time. I just love it, always have,” said Fargis, who won the Hampton Classic Grand Prix in 1991 and 2005.

One of the most accomplished and respected riders in US show jumping history, Fargis was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame earlier this year. He is best known for his double gold medal performance at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Four years later, he picked up his third Olympic medal when he helped the U.S. win the team silver at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and also placed seventh individually.

Call him what you will based on his record-”Jumping Joe” or “the Legend,” as many do-but if you ask Fargis, he just calls himself lucky. When asked about his winning strategy on the 1.45m course at the Hampton Classic, he smiled and shook his head. “There is no strategy. I did the course in the fastest time because I gallop. That’s what most riders do. You just go out there, do the best you can and hope luck is with you.”

As far as fortune goes, Fargis feels he scored big-time when Kimber came into his life. “He’s 15 and I’m 60, so between the two of us we have about 300 years together,” he joked. “I’m so lucky to have this horse to ride. We’ve only been together for three months but we already have a wonderful partnership.”

The stunning 17-hand chestnut warmblood gelding also has a special place in the hearts of his owners, Dan and Carolyn Darby of The Plains, Va. They were on hand to witness Kimber’s win at the Hampton Classic, which took place on their wedding anniversary. The Darbys own the horse under Hidden Trail Farm, LLC.

Kimber’s time was followed by Ultimo Van Ter Moude (31.62), ridden by Todd Minikus of Wellington, Fla., and owned by Todd Minikus, Ltd. Third was Corlett (31.68), ridden by Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, N.J., and owned by The Dobbs Group. Dobbs placed third aboard the same horse earlier in the week in the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge, a class she won with another horse, Marengo.

After her fifth-place finish aboard Ronaldo in the Jaguar 1.45m Open Jumper Class, Marie Hecart of Ontario, Canada, maintained her lead in the Vox Rider Challenge, a new award sponsored by VOX Magazine, offering $30,000 in prize money 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.

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.

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 Marty Bauman · Filed Under Hampton Classic, Hunters & Jumpers, Marty Bauman, USA 
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