Photo: Jon Kassel
Headlining Opening Day is the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge at 1:00 p.m. More than thirty top show jumping riders and horses are expected to compete in this popular speed jumping class. Last year, Hillary Dobbs won the class on Marengo for the second year in a row.
Before the opening ceremony at noon approximately 100 competitors as young as two years old, from the Long Island area, will participate in the popular leadline event in the horse show's Grand Prix ring.
Animal lovers won’t want to miss Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan, who will be in the Kids’ Area at the show to sign autographs and take photos on Opening Day from 10 to 12. Dr. Emily Weiss, the ASPCA’s Animal Behaviorist, will be at the ASPCA Patio to answer questions about animal behavior from 11 to 1. “Ask the Horse Vet” with Dr. Pamela Corey, of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement and Director of Equine Medicine, will also be at the ASPCA Patio. The ASPCA will also present a Parade of Adoptable Horses, with horses from a local rescue group.
For those of you who can’t make it to the show grounds, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, will broadcast up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.
Regular competition begins on Tuesday, August 31st, and concludes with the Grand Prix on September 5th.
Insider tip: Visit during the week. Things are quieter and you can stroll around the stables and grooming areas and the practice rings, and chat with the riders and handlers.