Bridgehampton, NY—August 30, 2005—Three-time Olympic medalist Joe Fargis of Southampton, NY rode Diams III to victory in the Land Rover Speed Test at the 30th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show.

Riding 21st out of 26 in the 1.40-meter class, Fargis earned the win by completing the 13-jump, one-round course fault-free in 48.36 seconds. Norman Dello Joio of Wellington, FL, the 1992 Olympic Bronze medalist who had taken an early lead in the class by finishing clean in 50.41 seconds on Malcolm, placed second. Third went to Robin Sweely of Madison, VA, who finished clean in 51.76 seconds on Carlow Clover. Sweely had ridden first in the class where the fastest clean round would win and then she watched as all but two failed to catch her.

“What can you say? The horse did her job,” said Fargis of his mount who won the Hampton Classic’s David Yurman Time Challenge at the same height a year ago. “Going late in the class helped as I knew just what we were shooting for. I actually took the same route as Norman but I had a faster horse so I was fortunate enough to get the win. I have to say that it was a great way to end the day.”

One of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic features the sport’s biggest names competing for big prize money. Other competition highlights of this year’s horse show include the $30,000 Sotheby ’s International Realty World Cup Qualifier and the Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby Qualifier on Friday and Cablevision’s Kids Day/Dia de los Ninos, presented by Hickey Freeman, featuring the $25,000 Fendi Cup on Saturday. The following day, Grand Prix Sunday, features the $100,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby. Grand Prix Sunday also features a dressage demonstration by six-time Olympic dressage rider Robert Dover, the most accomplished dressage rider in U.S. history!

Awards presentations take place on Sunday, including a gold and silver David Yurman belt buckle and a jeroboam of Louis Roederer Champagne to be awarded to the Grand Prix winner.

Hampton Classic admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 4 is $15 per person (in addition to regular admission) or $25 per person in the special Premium Seating center sections. Parking is free throughout the week. The Hampton Classic is a benefit event for Southampton Hospital.

Some Hampton Classic classes can be seen live online at www.wvvh.tv. For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.