In the advanced independent division, Todd Pritscher, 30, of Yaphank, N.Y., riding Robin Hood, won the championship over Joe Penzel, 19, of Huntington, N.Y., riding Diamond.
In the beginner independent division, Tiffany Kahles, 18, of East Meadow, N.Y., riding Gryffindor, won the championship over Harley Powell, of East Orange, N.J., on Dippin’ Dots.
In the beginner with aides division, Allison Ekberg, 11, of Levittown, N.Y. , riding Remo, won the championship over Alexandria Economou, 21, of Melville, N.Y., riding Patra.
The Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities is the first of its kind for riders with special needs. It was founded in 2005 by Camp HorseAbility Inc. to provide competition for disabled riders at USEF-rated hunter/jumper shows. The classes are judged by USEF-rated judges.
“We are extremely appreciative of all that the Hampton Classic has done for these riders with disabilities,” said Katie McGowan, executive director of Camp HorseAbility Inc., and one of the founders of LIHSSRD.
McGowan thanked Shanette Cohen, the Hampton Classic executive director, “ for opening up the Hampton Classic show grounds and giving these riders a chance to compete at the same horse show as Olympic medalists. It means so much to them, and we than the Hampton Classic.”
LIHSSRD hosts seven shows each year, and the top 10 riders (based on points earned during the year) are invited at the Hampton Classic, which is the championship competition.
“This is the seventh year that these riders with disabilities have competed here, and it’s become one of our favorite days each year,” said Cohen. “All of these riders prove that hey are true champions, and we are privileged to host them here.”
Grand prix rider Shane Sweetnam, of Spy Coast Farm, presented ribbons to each rider commemorating their participation at the Hampton Classic. On Sunday, Swetnam won the show’s opening jumper class, the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge.
The 37th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show runs through Sunday, Sept. 2, and features world-class show jumping competition, as well as magnificent shopping and a variety of entertainment attractions. The Classic features six show rings with more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages. A wide range of jumper, hunter, equitation, short stirrup and leadline classes are all part of the Classic’s schedule, as well as competitions for riders with disabilities.
The highlight of the Hampton Classic is the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier on Sunday, September 2. The Grand Prix, open to horses that successfully complete Friday's $50,000 Spy Coast Farm/Young Horse Show Series Grand Prix Qualifier, features Olympians, World Champions and other show jumping veterans such as defending champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. This year, the Grand Prix is part of the new Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge which awards a $200,000 bonus should the same horse-and-rider combination win the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon, $250,000 FTI Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic, and $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix at the Alltech National Horse Show. Ward won the Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon on Antares F in May and now stands to win the $200,000 bonus should he ride Antares F to wins in the remaining two events in the Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge.
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 on line at www.wvvh.tv.
All classes held in the Grand Prix Ring will also be available live throughout the horse show on webcasts provided by ShowNet. Access to this pay-per-view stream may be found on the Hampton Classic website at www.HamptonClassic.com, or via ShowNet membership at www.ShowNet.biz. In addition, most of the Classic’s jumper and hunter classes from all other rings will also be available, many live, through ShowNet at www.ShowNet.biz.
USEF Network.com, Presented by SmartPak, will offer a free live webcast of the Classic’s featured event, the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier on Sunday, September 2 starting at 2:00 p.m. EDT. This free live webcasts is available at www.USEFNetwork.com.
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.