Bridgehampton, NY-August 31, 2007- Shane Sweetnam of County Cork, Ireland, prevailed in the $15,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate Open Jumper Speed Derby at the Hampton Classic Horse Show on Friday morning, riding Victor III, owned by Spy Coast Farm. They had the luck of the Irish on their side because although they had a rail down, they were still able to win in a time of 76.54 seconds.
Callan Solem of Colts Neck, NJ, tried twice to win, but had to settle for second and third riding two horses owned by Quiet Winter Farm. Warsaw was the runner-up in a time of 77.75 and Mianta was third in 78.53 seconds.
The 32nd Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, continues through Sunday, September 2. The Classic hosts hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to the Olympic veterans in the $150,000 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 summer. The Classic’s featured event, the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix, will be heldonSunday afternoon, September 2.
This is only the second time Sweetnam has competed at the Classic and the first time in the Grand Prix Ring. Normally he would be in Kentucky this time of year, but his owner Lisa Lourie of Setauket, NY, made a request.
“He did it as a favor to me,” said Lourie. “We live nearby and my daughter Julia is competing here so I really wanted to come. She is actually doing very well. Yesterday she was fourth in the Low Junior Jumper Classic. I love this show and to win here is very exciting!”
Although Sweetnam had a strategy, things did not quite go as planned. “My strategy was to go as fast as I could because to go slow and clean here gets nothing. So, I went as fast as I could and just tried to keep the rails up.”
As it turned out, they did not keep all the rails up and ended up with four faults. However, their time of 72.64 was fast enough to stay on top even after adding four penalty seconds for the knockdown.
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 in the morning prior to the $150,000 FTI Grand Prix.
Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample 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 Classic also receives extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, a long time sponsor and the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on Saturday-Sunday, September 1-2.
Live webcasts from the Hampton Classic Grand Prix ring and Hunter Ring I are available free of charge at www.equetriansport.tv
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.
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