Chris Sorensen (second left) of Canada and Wriomf won the Equis Best Turned-Out Horse and Presenter Award at the Hampton Classic. (McMillen photo)
Canadian rider Chris Sorensen, with Wriomf, was named the winner of the first Equis Best Turned-Out Horse and Presenter Award given at the Hampton Classic.
Sorensen received his award from Irma Rubesa, general manager of Equis, during a ceremony on Friday at the 40th Annual Hampton Classic, just prior to the start of the first FEI-recognized competition, the $50,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier, Presented by Longines.
The FEI Ground Jury--Phil DeVita, Oliver Kennedy, Neil O'Connor, Jennifer Ross-Koning, Steve Sarafin and Yolanda Matallana Trivino-chose Sorensen as the winner.
"The jog is the official start of an FEI competition, and I would like to encourage the people in our sport to respect it more, to come to the jog looking like they are proud to be competing here," said Hirsch, who is also an FEI-licensed judge.
So since the beginning of 2015, he's been awarding an engraved silver plate and a product supplied by Kentucky Horsewear of Belgium to the best-presented pair at FEI-recognized competitions on the East Coast.
"We're using a carrot, not a stick, and I think it's working. Now we are seeing a feeling of competition," said Hirsch, who would like to see the show jumpers regard the jog as seriously as eventers do. "Now we're seeing presenters dressing up, not just coming in dirty jeans and a dirty sweatshirt. And the horses don't have shavings in their tails. They are braided and have hoof polish on. And they are standing and jogging correctly."
More About the Classic
The Hampton Classic, the prestigious culminating event of the Hamptons' famed summer season, runs August 23-30 in Bridgehampton, NY, hosting its 40th year of world-class equestrian competition. Many of the world's top jumper and hunter riders come from across the country and beyond to compete for their share of some of the richest prize money in the nation.
The Hampton Classic features six show rings, a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer's Market, all on its 60-acre show grounds. With its top competition and pristine setting, The Hampton Classic is not just a place to see, it's also a place to be seen. Just in the last two years, A-list celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Matt Lauer, Kelly Ripa, Julianne Moore, Sofia Vergara and Mary-Kate Olsen have been in attendance.
The Hampton Classic hosts more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered from leadline classes all the way up to the grand prix level. The Classic also has classes for riders with disabilities. The Classic culminates on Sunday, August 30, "Grand Prix Sunday," with an impressive schedule of classes including three finals - the $30,000 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $25,000 Campbell Stables Show Jumping Derby, and the $250,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix Presented by LONGINES - in the Grand Prix Ring, as well as the $10,000 Hermès Hunter Classic in the Anne Aspinall Ring.
Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is available at the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or by calling 631-537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.