Articles: Press Release

Contact:
Meg Schermerhorn, (508) 698-6810, meg@classic-communications.com

Bridgehampton, NY-August 23, 2009-Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, NJ, and Marengo returned to reclaim their title, winning a second consecutive $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge, the feature jumping competition on the Opening Day at the 34th Hampton Classic Horse Show.

One of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic continues through Sunday, August 30. The Classic hosts hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to Olympic veterans in the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix. Entered in th e show are all four members of the United States' 2004 Gold Medal Olympic team-Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Peter Wylde and Chris Kappler.

Dobbs, 21, a senior at Harvard University, won the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge with a time of 55.85 seconds. Second was Kirk Webby of New Zealand with Cosmopolite S (59.44), followed by Ramiro Quintana of Wellington, Fla., on Q's Charm, who placed third (59.92).

Dobbs was jubilant Sunday about the performance of her horses, which are owned by The Dobbs Group. She described Marengo, a Dutch warmblood gelding, as "an especially fast horse" whose forte is speed classes.

"If I ride Marengo correctly, we always have a shot [at winning]," she said. "I took some risks out there, but I know this horse. We think similarly--we both like to go fast."

Dobbs thanked her trainers, Missy Clark and John Brennan, for consistently finding her "wonderful horses that match me." She is particularly proud of another horse she rode in the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge: Udento VDL, a stunning grey Dutch warmblood stallion. The 8-year-old also looked to be in the ribbons in Sunday's Nicolock until late in the course, when he lightly rubbed a rail, which came down. Dobbs attributed it to rider error.

She is fresh off a sweep of major victories two weeks ago at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset with Marengo. Aboard Marengo, Dobbs won both the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix and the Open Welcome Stake. In the latter class, she also placed fifth and sixth aboard Marlo and Corlett, respectively.

Dobbs, who has competed in Europe for the U.S. Equestrian Federation, called the Hampton Classic "our [country's] version of the elite shows in Europe." She said course designer Conrad Homfeld's Nicolock course provided lots of options for riders and provided her with "a great start-off to the week."

In addition to the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge, Opening Day at the Hampton Classic included the third annual WLIU 88.3 FM National Anthem Singing Contest, which was emceed by the radio station's popular host, Bonnie Grice. High school senior Olivia Ashley Reed, 17, won the contest, which was broadcast live on WLIU. The resident of Sag Harbor and Freeport won in a live "sing-off" for the right to perform the national anthem in the Grand Prix ring prior to the $20,000 Nicolock Time Challenge.

In other Opening Day activities:

* This year's Old Field Trophy - Long Island Sportsmanship Award was presented to Alvin Topping by Elite Equine Shavings. Old Field Farm created the award two years ago to honor a Long Island horse person who has demonstrated excellence in sportsmanship. Topping owns Swan Creek Farm in Bridgehampton. He is on the board of directors of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association and is vice-chair of the Zone 2 committee.

* Robert Chaloner, President and CEO of Southampton Hospital, welcomed spectators to the Hampton Classic Horse Show. The hospital has been a community partner with the show since its inception more than 30 years ago and has been the recipient of more than $1 million in contributions from the show during that time.

* Exciting dog agility demonstrations by the ASPCA and SNAPDOGS, a Long Island-based K9 agility team, wowed spectators. The event included a Celebrity Canine Obstacle Course Half-Time Entertainment Show, which took place in the horse show's Grand Prix field. Celebrities who participated with their adopted or rescued dogs included actress Aida Turturro and her dog Buddy, actress Kristen Johnston with her dog, Pinky, as well as Jill Rappaport and her dog, Petey.

Opening Day featured hundreds of Long Island competitors and was highlighted by the popular Leadline competition in the Grand Prix ring, where 100 youngsters under the age of 8 held center stage in the morning before giving way to theOpening Day Ceremony at noon.

Both exhibitors and spectators alike are sure to be excited to see the $50,000 increase in prize money in this year's FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier. The $250,000 Grand Prix event serves as the horse show's feature attraction and takes place on Sunday, August 30.

Other upcoming highlights include:

• Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities Finals on Monday, August 24

• $10,000 Wolffer Estate Equitation Championship on Thursday, August 27 (Phase I) and Saturday, August 29 (Phase II)

• $15,000 Arcadia Aviation Speed Derby on Friday, August 28

• $50,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday, August 28

• $30,000 FENDI Cup on Saturday, August 29

• $25,000 Carolex Show Jumping Derby on Sunday, August 30

Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic will have ample opportunity to see it on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, will broadcast up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.

The Classic will also receive extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on Sunday, August 23 and Thursday-Sunday, August 27-30.

For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptoncl assic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501.c.3 charitable corporation.

Place Rider Horse Owner Hometown Time
1 HILLARY DOBBS MARENGO The Dobbs Group Sussex, NJ 55.580
2 KIRK WEBBY COSMOPOLITE S Peter Kraft, Tracy Howe & Kirk Webby New Zealand
59.440
3 RAMIRO QUINTANA Q'S CHARM Kathryn Quirk Wellington, FL 59.920
4 SHANE SWEETNAM UNA DONJA Spy Coast Farm LLC Wellington, FL 60.060
5 CASSANDRA HERMAN GALLOP DE BEAUMONT Cassandra Herman Westport, CT 61.610
6 MOLLY ASHE CAWLEY CABANZA Olivia Jack Fairfield, CT 61.890
7 VICTORIA BIRDSALL JERREMY Natalie Johnson Topsfield, MA 62.350
8 DARRAGH KENNY PALONA Olympic Dreams LLC Ireland 62.590
9 MARILYN R LITTLE - MEREDITH UPPSALA W Raylyn Farms Inc. Frederick, MD
62.600
10 BRIANNE GOUTAL MON GAMIN Cloverleaf Farm New York, NY 63.550
11 FEDERICO SZTYRLE ESPLANADE 7 Louisburg Farm Boston, MA 63.850
12 TRACEY WEINBERG CROMWELL Tracy Weinberg & The Weinberg Brokerage Group
Lovettsville, VA 63.960