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Animal Planet Stars and Furry Friends Delight Children on Cablevision’s Kids Day at Hampton Classic Horse Show

August 30, 2025

Bridgehampton, NY-August 30, 2008-Kids got to meet and furry friends and learned how to care for an array of animals at the 33rd annual Hampton Classic Horse Show on Cablevision’s Kids Day. While the young audience roamed through a tent housing a menagerie from bunnies to llamas-and horses, of course-stars from Animal Planet’s popular television show “Animal Precinct” and ASPCA officers answered questions about how to help animals in need.

One of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic concludes 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.

While world-class equestrian competition took place elsewhere on the grounds, the horse show’s Cablevision’s Kids Day featured performances by the National Circus Project, along with Alan the Magician and Ruby the Face Painter.

A petting zoo included bunnies, chickens (which amused the children by trying to fly out of their pens), piglets, goats and llamas (which bore a sign explaining “llama etiquette” as “Please pet my back and neck, not my face”). Guide Dog Foundation puppies demonstrated how they help blind and disabled people.

Trick horses Cosmo (an Appaloosa), Huey (Quarter Horse) and Teade (Friesian) enchanted the crowd with their performances. When one horse seemed to be getting be an abundance of attention, the others whinnied loudly in protest, startling and amusing their newfound human friends.

A collection of miniature horses-so diminutive that they are often mistaken for ponies-captured the hearts of onlookers. Owned by Millstone Farm of Northport, N.Y., all the minis at Cablevision’s Kids Day were world champions or their offspring. Millstone owners Joan and Jennifer Van Deinse, a mother-daughter team who have been displaying their steeds at the Hampton Classic since 1990, gave children hands-on (and hooves-on) demonstrations of how to groom miniature horses and clean their feet.

Just as a miniature poodle is a small but full-grown dog, miniature horses are the equivalent in the equine world. “Minis require the same care as a full-size horse but are more economical to keep,” said Joan Van Deinse. She relayed that the tiny equines (which stand about 30 inches tall at the withers) were originally bred centuries ago by the royal families of Europe.

“We like to bring our minis to the Hampton Classic so the children have a horse they can interact safely with. We can teach them to do things with minis that they would find intimidating with a 1,000-pound horse,” said Jenifer Van Deinse.

While children fluffed and fawned over the minis, full-size equines carried their riders to wow the crowd in the horse show’s Grand Prix and other riding arenas. Saturday’s competition featured the $30,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Challenge and the final phase of the $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship, both held in the Grand Prix ring.

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.

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 but one of the most noteworthy social events of the Hamptons’ summer season.

Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have an 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 has broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic to go along with weekend live programs from the show. Friday’s live broadcasts were anchored by WLIU’s midday host, Brian Cosgrove, with the weekend broadcasts 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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