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Hillary Dobbs Becomes Youngest Rider to Win $200,000 FTI Grand Prix at Hampton Classic Horse Show

August 31, 2025

Hillary Dobbs and Corlett, winners of the $200,000 FTI Grand PrixBridgehampton, NY-August 31, 2008-Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, NJ and Corlett were turbo-charged in a timed jump-off, zooming across the field to win the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix on Sunday’s closing event of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Dobbs, 20, became the youngest rider in the 33-year history of the show to win the class, finishing in 41.13 seconds aboard Corlett with a clear round. Two other young equestriennes also went clear: Brianne Goutal, 19, of New York City, who placed second with Onira (42.83), and Kirsten Coe, 27, of Katonah, N.Y., who was third aboard Starlight (43.99).

One of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, the eight-day Hampton Classic concluded with Sunday’s $200,000 FTI Grand Prix. The Classic hosted hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to Olympic veterans. Show entries included McLain Ward, a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at this year’s Olympic show jumping competition in Hong Kong.

The highlight of the horse show, the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix saw 34 of the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations vying for top honors. Out of the starting field, only five riders went fault-free in the first round over the Conrad Homfeld-designed course to advance to the jump-off.

While she awaited her turn in the jump-off, Dobbs relaxed in the riders’ tent with her trainer, Missy Clark. They watched a few riders go but didn’t talk shop. When it was time for her to get ready, Dobbs stood, finished the bottle of water she was drinking, and casually walked out to get back on her mount.

“I heard everyone saying Brianne had gone really fast, so I knew I had to go for it,” said Dobbs. “I had to catch a right angle off [the Wolffer Estate] oxer. It was a risky turn at a risky angle, but with Brianne’s time, I had to take a chance.

“I owe this win completely to Corlett,” said Dobbs of the 11-year-old Sasha (a type of German warmblood) mare. “She is a remarkable horse.”

Dobbs, a junior at Harvard University, and Goutal, a sophomore at Brown University, both have another major horse show before starting their September studies. Coe, a professional horsewoman, resumes her work on the circuit.

Coe said she was pleased with the performance of her horse, a 9-year-old Dutch warmblood. She said she “knew Hillary would be fastest if she left all the jumps up.”

Goutal was also aboard a Dutch warmblood, hers 10 years old. She said she was grateful for the opportunity the Hampton Classic gives developing riders “to compete against the big guns in this sport.”

For the three young women to have swept the ribbons in the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix was an unprecedented event at the Hampton Classic. The world-class competition has traditionally been dominated by older veterans of show jumping, many of them men. McLain Ward, who has won the competition’s grand prix three times, was 22 the first time he won to hold the record as the youngest winner before Dobbs.

Dobbs is only the second competitor to have won both Friday’s qualifying class for Sunday’s Grand Prix and the Grand Prix itself. Joe Fargis turned the trick in 2005.

Following the Grand Prix, FTI Chairman Dennis Shaughnessy, noted: “We are clearly looking at the new generation of [international] riders.”

Despite their tender years, Dobbs and Goutal are extremely accomplished horsewomen. At the 2005 CN North American Young Riders Championships, Goutal won double gold in the Young Riders division and Dobbs did the same in the Junior division.

Dobbs’ win in the Grand Prix, combined with her other wins in the open jumper division during the week, earned her top honors in the Vox Rider Challenge, a new award sponsored by VOX Magazine. Todd Minikus of Wellington, Fla., was second, Louis Jacobs of East Aurora, N.Y., third, and Goutal fourth. The Vox Rider Challenge offered $30,000 in prize money to the top four riders in the horse show’s Open Jumper division.

After Sunday’s Grand Prix, the Hampton Classic awarded several additional championship awards, including the International Open Jumper Championship. Dobbs received a David Yurman Thoroughbred Collection wristwatch and a bottle of Champagne Louis Roederer. McLain Ward received the Antares Style of Riding Award. Earlier in the week, Dobbs was awarded the show’s National Open Jumper Championship.

Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic had opportunities to view it on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcast daily live segments during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv. The $200,000 FTI Grand Prix will air on Animal Planet on Saturday, October 4 at 3:00 pm (ET/PT).

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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