Bridgehampton, NY — Philip Richter of Bedford, NY, won the $25,000 Carolex Show Jumping Derby riding Ray Ray, owned by Coker Farm, Inc., at the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY, on Sunday.

“It’s the best win I’ve ever had in my life,” said Richter. “It’s so exciting!”

The top 30 horses from Friday’s $10,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Welcome Stake qualified for the Derby and Richter rode two out of the seven that made it into the jump-off.

His first mount was Glasgow, owned by Coker Farm, Inc. They had a little trouble going into the wall and managed to clear it, but dropped a rail at the fifth fence. His four fault score was still good enough to take over the lead with four left to jump.

“I should have just let him go to the jumps,” said Richter. “I don’t get in the jump-off that often and sometimes if you don’t ride a lot you have doubt.
I’m riding one of the greatest jumpers of all time and I should just let him go to the jumps.”

Richter had better luck with Ray Ray going clear in 37.346 seconds and held the top two spots until Jay Land of Alpharetta, GA, went on Nepal.
Land went clear in a time of 38.184, for second place.

Christina Kelly, the final rider in the jump-off was on the fast path to victory with Creata Van Ten Biesen, owned by Diamond Edge Farm, stopping the clock in 34.861 seconds, but had a rail for four faults, which left her in third.

“I had accepted the fact that the last horse in the jump-off was going to beat me because she made a turn from the first to the second fence that was just dynamite,” said Richter of Kelly. “She actually rubbed the jump with her shoulder around the turn. She was several seconds faster than me, she was just unlucky. This sport is just a lot of luck sometimes.”

The win in the Derby gave Richter and Ray Ray the Grand Championship award in the Amateur Owner Jumper 1.40m Division. Jay Land and Nepal were the Reserve Champions. Richter was also named Grand Champion of the Amateur Owner 130m Division with Firefly, owned by Coker Farm, Inc. Tracey Weinberg and Linda Z, owned by Weinberg and Joe Fargis, received the Reserved Championship award.

In the Brown Harris Stevens Young Jumper Championship Finals for 7 & 8-Year-Olds, Jeffery Welles of North Salem, NY, won riding Laracon, owned by Amanda Gunthel.

“He’s very brave and he’s very quick,” said Welles. “I knew if I could pull off another clear this morning, that he had a good shot because he is so quick on his feet and he’s super brave. He’s just a good guy.”

Chris Kappler of Flemington, NJ, was second with Royal Reflection, owned by Kathleen Kamine. Third went to Candice King and Skara Glen’s IF, owned by Skara Glen Stables.

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.

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