Bridgehampton, NY - September 1, 2004 - Following the opening round of competition in the $30,000 Greenbrier Sporting Club Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper Championships, After Dark and Patricia Griffith of White Plains, NY, are on course to claim their second consecutive Young Jumper Championship title at the 29th Hampton Classic Horse Show running August 29 through September 5 in Bridgehampton, NY.

The winners of last year's Six-Year-Old Young Jumper Championships Eastern League Finals, at the Hampton Classic, Griffith, After Dark's owner and rider, took the first step to repeating victory by winning the opening round of competition in the Seven-Year-Old Division.

Twenty horse-rider combinations contested the Seven-Year-Old Division, jumping a technical course set by Jose Gamarra of Bolivia, that included a triple combination and a liverpool - a challenging obstacle with water set underneath the poles. As the second to last rider on course, Griffith had her work cut out for her, jumping a fault-free round and clocking in at 67.40 seconds to overtake the lead and claim victory.

After Dark, who is better known as 'Luke' around the barn, is a Dutch Warmblood gelding by the popular sire, Darco. Griffith's victory in 2003 was made even more impressive by the fact that the horse had been imported to the United States in May, giving the pair only a few months to get to know each other. Griffith purchased After Dark through Dutch horsemen Emile and Paul Hendrix and has been looking for another horse with the same temperament and talent ever since.

"I keep calling them, asking them if they have found anything!" laughed Griffith, who is a trainer at Andre and Michael Dignelli's Heritage Farm in Katonah, NY. "Since finding After Dark, we've bought five or six other horses from the Hendrix brothers for our clients, and they've all been great. It has been hard for me to find another one like him, but I have been looking and looking!"

As for After Dark's personality, Griffith says, "He has tons of personality. If he was a person, he would kick back, have a few beers and watch the football game. He loves any type of food, everything from peppermints to bagels. He is always looking for treats, and expects to be fed as his reward when he comes out of the ring."

Earlier this season, Griffith and After Dark won two Seven-Year-Old classes in Wellington, FL, and have also been among the top finishers when contesting classes with fences set at a height of 1.35m.

"I have to keep reminding myself not to push him because he is a horse that can do it all," notes Griffith. "Even though everything is easy for him, I try not to get too excited and jump him too high, too quickly."

Spectators will have a chance to witness After Dark's talent first-hand when he contests the second and final round of the $30,000 Greenbrier Sporting Club Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper Championships in the Grand Prix Ring on Sunday, September 5, at 8 a.m. After the Hampton Classic, After Dark will earn a well-deserved break, returning to the competition ring next winter in Wellington, FL.

Each year the Hampton Classic Horse Show attracts more than 50,000 spectators and celebrities to watch the country's best horses and riders compete. One of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic boasts jam-packed social events and equestrian competitions from August 29 to September 5, culminating with the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix. With boutiques, on-site restaurants and a wide variety of displays and activities, there is fun for the whole family.

Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 5, 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. Hampton Classic proceeds benefit Southampton Hospital.

For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.