Black Label, ridden by Patricia Griffith, won the $50,000 Clear Channel Hunter Derby, presented by Meadow View Farm, at the Hampton Classic (ESI Photography)
Black Label scored a total of 179 points over the two rounds to defeat Carrico (Callie Seaman, 171) and Pioneer (Victoria Colvin, 165). Some 30 horses started in the first round, with the top 12 returning for the second round.
The 39th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show runs Aug. 24-31, in Bridgehampton, NY. The Hampton Classic features world-class equestrian competition, with more than 100 classes of competition, including jumper, hunter, equitation, short stirrup and leadline classes, as well as competitions for riders with disabilities.
"I've always loved riding in this field, so this is really special to me," said Griffith, of White Plains, NY. "I always say this is my favorite show-it's really a showplace event. It's the show I look forward to every year. I've been coming here since I was 10, and I'm 37 now."
Griffith was riding Black Label for owner Maxwell Levy, who bought him in July. Griffith said they bought Black Label for Levy to show in the adult amateur hunter division, but that she began showing the former jumper in the bigger division to give him hunter experience. She had previously ridden him to second place in a hunter derby and had won a championship.
Levy just began his first year of study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and is planning to show Black Label this weekend at the Hampton Classic.
"I know Max was sitting by his computer watching the class, and it's fun for him to watch me ride him and then to ride him himself," said Griffith.
Griffith and Black Label grabbed the lead in the first round, scoring 93 points, over a galloping course that utilized the entire Grand Prix Ring and included four optional fences set at 4'3".
"In the first round, I thought I could have had him a nickel's worth quieter, but he jumped great over this fantastic course," said Griffith. "And in the second round I just tried not to make a mistake," she added with a smile.
Griffith also rode Coco, owned by Further Lane Farm, to fifth in the $50,000 Clear Channel Hunter Derby. She said that riding Coco before Black Label gave her a slight advantage in the second round, because "the turns were much harder than they appeared. I don't think [Black Label] would have had a problem with them anyway, but it didn't hurt to know what to expect."