Bridgehampton, NY — Samantha Schaefer, 18, of Westminster, MD, won the Sam Edelman Equitation Championship for the second consecutive year with a practically perfect final round riding Pioneer, owned by Heritage Farm, at the 36th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY, on Thursday.

Schaefer received a score of 98 out of 100 points in the final round and would have received a perfect score if it had not been for one minor mistake at the final fence according to Chrystine Tauber, one of the two judges for the class.

“We just felt that at the last fence that the horse got a little long,” said Tauber. “But Samantha rides with such feel, balance and rhythm and she had great form and style. That was really an exceptional ride. The top for or five riders were also outstanding and managed to put two rounds together that really showed that they belonged in the top group.”

Unlike previous years, both rounds of the Championship were held on the same day with the top 15 riders returning for the finals. The first round had a less than auspicious result due to problems at the water and the bank eliminating 16 of the 41 riders. They were no problem for Schaefer, however, who received the highest first round score of 95, edging out Chase Scott Boggio who received a first round score of 94.

“I have the best horse for this class he is unbelievable.” said Schaefer. “He really tries and he’s always there for you.”

Schaefer was the only rider in the top five who did not have any time faults in the final round, so she had no deductions to her score. Schaefer’s trainer, Andre Dignelli, advised her to keep an eye on the clock.

“I told her that it’s got to feel like a jump-off. It can’t feel smooth like an equitation round,” said Dignelli. “Don’t win by lucking out - win it! And I thought she did that.”

Amazingly Schaefer almost did not make it to the Classic. “We didn’t make the decision to come to the show until yesterday at 11:00 am,” said Schaefer. “Because of the storm the house had no power and Andre wasn’t sure we should come.”

Dignelli was satisfied with his decision, “Here we are and we are happy that we came.  We always make this class a priority because we think it is such a special class.”

Due to the Hurricane Irene the Local Rider classes were split up into two days with the first taking place on Wednesday, August 31 and the second half taking place on Saturday, September 3.

Winning the Local Hunter - Pro Division Champion was Practical Magic, owned by Samantha Rudin of New York, NY, and shown by Jagger Topping. Practical Magic finished first and second in each of the classes over fences in the Local Hunter - Pro Division. Sedgewick, owned by Lynn Rogers of Bayport, NY, and ridden by Patcrick Rice, won the under saddle class in the Local Hunter - Pro Division.

In the Local Hunter—Non-Pro Division the Champion was Man of the Hour, owned and shown by Alexis Asch of New York, NY. Man of the Hour won a class over fences as well as the under saddle class in the Local Hunter—Non-Pro Division. Carlos D, owned by Jenna Weinfurt of Bridgehampton, NY, and ridden by Lilly Hymowitz, also won a class over fences in the Local Hunter—Non-Pro Division.

One of the most prestigious horse shows in the nation, the Hampton Classic managed to keep almost its entire competition schedule, albeit compressed from eight days into five. The Classic runs through Sunday, September 4 when it culminates with the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier.

The Classic’s revised show schedule is available on line at the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com. The Classic is also providing frequent updates on its Facebook page.

For those who can’t make it to the show grounds, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.

Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is available on 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.