1) Can the Hampton Classic get any bigger or better? What do you see for the future?
From a participation perspective, I’m not sure that the Hampton Classic can get much bigger than it currently is. We host approximately 1,600 horses over the course of the show, and we physically don’t have any more property to accommodate additional stabling tents. Our time schedule is very full as well, so I don’t expect we’ll be adding additional events either. When it comes to attendance, we could probably fit more people on the grounds during the middle of the week, when we’re not as busy. We’ve been working to enhance the mid-week events, and one way we’ve done that this year is through the addition of the $30,000 VOX Rider Challenge. The rider challenge is designed to reward open jumper riders that have had the best results over the course of the entire week. Riders receive points based on their best finish in each Open Jumper class, regardless of which horse they’re riding. The VOX Rider Challenge Standings will be posted daily. The hope is riders will be more aggressive in their efforts to win each time they go in the ring, making for a more exciting competition on all days and in all events, not just during the biggest classes. As we enhance the events and activities during the week, our attendance should grow mid-week as well.
Another way to be “bigger” is to reach people beyond our show grounds through media coverage of the show. We’re so excited that this year, Animal Planet will be broadcasting a one hour special of our Grand Prix at 3pm on October 4. The broadcast will be called the FTI Hampton Classic Grand Prix and is part of a 4-show series Animal Planet is airing this year.
Of course, we always aim to make things better each year. On the horse show side, we will continue to try to increase the prize money and offer additional awards, such as the rider challenge I just mentioned. And, this year, for example, the Grand Prix purse has increased by $50,000 and is now the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix & FEI World CupTM Qualifier. We’ve also eliminated the entry fee for Sunday’s event, which is a big improvement from the riders’ perspective, I’m sure. And, now, rather than having to be in the top 30 in Friday’s qualifying event, any horse/rider combination that completes the course on Friday is qualified to enter the Grand Prix, although it’s limited to one horse per rider.
Other improvements we’re hoping to continue to make into the future are those that enhance the experience for our spectators throughout the grounds and in our VIP tents. This year, we have installed Nicolock paving stones down the center aisle of the Grand Prix tent. Due to the big success of the 88.3 WLIU Radio National Anthem Singing Contest last year, we’re hosting it once again, and plan for it to become a fixture on our calendar each year. The finalists will compete on the morning of Opening Day, August 24, at the stage near our Exhibition Horse Tent. This “sing-off” will be aired live, and the winner will then sing the National Anthem that afternoon in the Grand Prix ring as part of Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Ceremonies.
We’ve added many new international food options in our boutique garden food court and a number of exciting new shops and boutiques. For the first time since they joined the show as a sponsor, FENDI will have a shop in the middle of the garden, giving access to all, and not just those with VIP tent access.
2) What was it like succeeding Tony and Jean, who had been there so long and were so identified with the Hampton Classic? How did you establish your individuality? Do you have fun with your job?
Tony and Jean did an amazing job building the Hampton Classic from a small country horse show to a world class equestrian and social event. My main goal, when I took over the 30-year-old competition in 2006, was to not mess up their fantastic event. Beyond that, my hope was to follow their tradition of making improvements each year. As you might remember, we had torrential rains virtually every day of the ’06 show. Immediately following the Classic that year, we invested in making significant upgrades to the stabling area by adding more than 20 dry-wells and raising the tent pads. Last year, we made significant investments in the Grand Prix ring footing as well, adding perimeter drainage and spot drains throughout the ring. Since the ’07 Classic, we’ve leveled the SW corner of the Grand Prix ring, upgraded the footing in Jumper Ring 2, and created an enhanced lunging area.
One of my proudest accomplishments, since taking the helm, is the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities Finals, which takes place on Monday. The day has become a major event for these special athletes, beginning with a breakfast where they receive participation ribbons from a Grand Prix rider, and culminating with the Finals in Jumper Ring 2. Last year, Peter Leone distributed ribbons and posed for photos at the breakfast and the year before, Joe Fargis did the honors.
Some other elements that I’m proud to have added include an additional vendor tent in the middle of the Boutique Garden and the National Anthem singing contest. I’m also pleased that the ASPCA now has a significant presence at the Hampton Classic and that our Exhibitor Party has become a major happening with the addition of JustWorld International’s Horseless Horse Show.
This horse show isn’t about me, it’s about the amazing horses and athletes that compete here each year. And, my goal isn’t really to establish myself as a personality at the show, but I do think that over time, the show’s characteristics will probably be impacted by the fact that I’m the Executive Director. My management style may be different from that of Tony and Jean, but my love of the Classic and my hope to put on the best event possible is the same. I do have fun with my job, even if it is stressful at times. I think our entire staff really loves this event, and I think that shows. It’s only through the work of an incredible team of people is this event able to take place and even improve year after year.
3) Did the current tough economy make a difference this year? Did you have a harder time with sponsorship?
Luckily, we’re on track with our sponsorship this year to meet our budget goals. I think this is due in large part to signing many of sponsors very early in the year before the full magnitude of the financial situation was apparent. But, I also believe that because our event is such a fantastic networking opportunity for building business to business relationships and a great way to reach a highly qualified audience, the Hampton Classic has remained a part of many corporate marketing plans, even given the challenging economy. We may see some patrons scale back on how lavishly they entertain at their VIP tables, but luckily, we haven’t really seen a major reduction in the number of table patrons and sponsors signing on to be a part of the Classic.
We don’t anticipate the strained economy will have a negative impact on the gate attendance either. We only charge $10 per person or $20 per car load, which makes our event truly accessible to everyone in the community.
4) How does an Olympic year affect the show?
The Olympics will conclude immediately before the start of this year’s Hampton Classic. We hope that the coverage of the sport just before the show will raise the excitement around Olympic level equestrian competition and drive people to the grounds, interested in seeing that type of competition in person. While none of the horses competing in the Olympics will return in time to join us in Bridgehampton, two of the riders competing in China (actually Hong Kong, where the Olympic Equestrian competitions will take place) are planning to compete at the Hampton Classic this year. McLain Ward, a member of the 2004 Gold Medal Olympic Team, and Anne Kursinski, the alternate this year and member of the 1988 and 1996 Silver Medal Teams are both scheduled to participate.