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Hunter Champions Set the Pace at 33rd Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

August 29, 2025

Bridgehampton, NY-August 29, 2008-The hunter classes at the Hampton Classic Horse Show are far from a cakewalk, but for Scott Stewart of Flemington, N.J. and Wellington, Fla., several of them were a Castlewalk. His mount by that name clinched the First-Year Green Hunter Champion title, followed closely by Sportin’ Life, a horse he owns and competes as Reserve Champion. Another of his horses, Ovation, was Second Year Green Hunter Champion.

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.

“Castlewalk has been really consistent,” said Stewart as he watched another of the multitude of horses he trains on course in Friday’s $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Show Jumping Derby Welcome Stake. The horse has won the championship in every competition at which he has shown this year, including taking the reserve championship at the prestigious Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania. Purchased a year ago in Europe, the 7-year-old German warmblood, said Stewart, is “a great jumper, very laid-back and brave in the field.”

Last year at the Hampton Classic, Stewart won the First-Year Green Hunter Championship with Ovation. Like Castlewalk, Ovation has won the championship at every competition in which he has competed this year. A German warmblood, Ovation packs a big punch in a small package. Standing just 15.3 hands, the bay gelding has an elegant physique that enables him to sail across a hunter course.

Sportin’ Life, a 6-year-old Bavarian warmblood, has been with Stewart since he was purchased at the age of two.

Two other competitors who cleaned up in this year’s Hampton Classic hunter ring are Ken Berkeley of Flemington and Wellington, and Patricia Griffiths of White Plains, N.Y. Berkeley took the grand conformation championship aboard Sambolina, with Stewart as reserve champion on West Point. Stewart also took the reserve in Regular Conformation Hunter.

Griffiths swept her division at this year’s Hampton Classic, winning the championship in Regular Working Hunter aboard Vida Blue and taking reserve with North Country. She was also reserve in Junior Jumper aboard Chloe.

Vida Blue is a recent addition to Heritage Farm, where Griffiths is a trainer. “We just got her in April from California,” she said of the 10-year-old gray warmblood mare. Griffiths described Vida Blue as a “special horse” that is “perfect to ride because she’s so easy on herself.”

“She just goes out there and does her job,” said Griffith. “She’s the epitome of what a hunter should be. We’re fortunate to have her.”

Griffiths said she was delighted with her placings and those of her students at the Hampton Classic. Her students fared impressively as well, winning several pony classes on Friday and taking the top five places in one.

Ribbons aside, Griffiths was clearly enjoying her time at the Hampton Classic. “I’ve been coming here forever. I love this show,” she said, while acknowledging the seriousness of the competition. “Riding against Scott [Stewart] is always a challenge. He’s one of the most accomplished riders on the circuit. Any time he’s in a class and you win, it’s special,” she said.

With more than $500,000 in prize money, 50,000 spectators and nearly 1,800 horses, the Hampton Classic is not only a sporting event of major proportions and one of the most noteworthy social events of the Hamptons’ summer season. Upcoming highlights in the Hampton Classic’s Grand Prix Ring include: Cablevision Kid’s Day, featuring the $30,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Challenge, and the final phase of the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship, both on Saturday.

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, which will be held Sunday afternoon.

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, Marty Bauman, USA 
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