Bridgehampton, NY–May 22, 2002–The annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, returns to Bridgehampton, NY, for its 27th year. The show, which begins on Sunday, August 25, will conclude its weeklong schedule of competition, special events, and social activities with the excitement of the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, on Sunday, September 1, 2002. The Classic, which benefits the Southampton Hospital, hosts hunter/jumper competition from junior levels up to the pinnacle of the sport–grand prix show jumping.

As always at the Classic, many of the world's best equestrians will be competing, riding some of the finest horses in the nation. Expected to be at the 2002 Classic are members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Nona Garson, Margie Goldstein-Engle, Lauren Hough, and Laura Kraut, as well as Olympians Norman Dello Joio (1992), Anne Kursinski (1988, 1992 and 1996), Joe Fargis (1984), Leslie Burr Howard (1984 and 1996) and Peter Leone (1996).

The seven days of competition and special events of the 27th Annual Hampton Classic will begin Sunday, August 25, with The Manhattan Mortgage Company's Opening Day and The World Of The Horse', presented by Distinction Magazine & L.I. Parents and Children.

Opening day will pay tribute to the Sag Harbor Volunteer Fire Department celebrating its 200th anniversary. The Grand Prix ring festivities will include a parade of Icelandic, miniature, and Spanish Paso Fino horses as well as an exciting dog agility demonstration and competition.

Thursday, August 29, at the Hampton Classic is Seniors Day, presented by 50 Plus Senior News, the greater New York monthly devoted to the area's half-million senior residents. Senior Citizens will be admitted free to the Classic and can enter the Classic's free drawings for great prizes donated by Seniors Day sponsors and many of the Classic's other sponsors and boutique vendors.

Thursday will also feature a new event at the Classic: "An Evening of Shopping in the Boutique Garden," from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Guests will be invited to enjoy music and refreshments while browsing and shopping in the Classic's unique marketplace showcasing over fifty, shops, artists, and craftsmen.

Friday, August 30, is Fiesta Day presented by Avis. Once again The Hampton Classic will devote an entire day to the celebration of the culture and tradition of its Latino participants and the growing Hispanic community on Long Island. Following the success of last year's first Fiesta Day, the Classic has planned an even bigger and more colorful day celebrating the diverse cultures of the more than 23 Spanish-speaking countries around the world. The Hampton Classic's second annual Special Achievement Award will be given to a Hispanic individual who has made a significant contribution to the horse industry.

Friday's show jumping competition will be highlighted by the top riders of the sport, including Olympic medallists competing in the $30,000 Adequan Fiesta Day Grand Prix, a prelude to the Grand Prix Sunday's $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix.

Fiesta Day 2002 will also be a day filled with fabulous ethnic food, great music, free pony rides for kids, and special riding demonstrations paying tribute to the gaucho and charro traditions of South and Central America and Mexico. In addition, there will be a special bilingual "Careers in the Horse Industry" booklet developed especially for Fiesta Day.

Saturday, August 31, is Cablevision Kids Day when kids under 12 are admitted free. Kids Day competition is highlighted by the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix, the $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, as well as the $2,500 Children's Jumper Classic and the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic for junior riders under the age of 18.

There will be many equine exhibitions designed to educate and entertain at the World of the Horse' Exhibition Tent and Show Yard. Performers of The National Circus Project will be on hand to teach the basics of juggling, magic, and stilt walking; the Classic Kids-Teaching-Kids program will teach hands-on pony care. The Guide Dog Foundation and the dog agility trainers will be teaching kids pet care while the petting zoo offers kids the opportunity to learn about rescued farm animals, as well as llamas and alpacas. And there will be free pony rides courtesy of Del Labs (Sally Hansen).

Sunday, September 1, is Hampton Classic Grand Prix Sunday and will once again bring out sporting enthusiasts, celebrities, and dignitaries from around the country to participate in a day that is often called "the end of the summer season in the Hamptons!"

Competition on Grand Prix Sunday will include the $30,000 Young Jumper Championship Finals and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby for riders under the age of 21.

At 2:00 p.m., the thirty best riders will compete for the biggest prize of all at the Classic, the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, which is the first event determining which United States show jumping riders will qualify to ride in the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) Show Jumping World Cup Final in Las Vegas, NV in April 2003. The Prudential Financial Grand Prix is a member event of the King Shavings/U.S. Grand Prix League (USGPL).

In addition to the prize money, the winning Grand Prix rider receives a jeroboam of Champagne from Louis Roederer and a one-of-a-kind gold and silver championship belt buckle designed by the Classic's Official Jewelry Designer David Yurman.

Competition runs from Sunday, August 25 to Sunday, September 1, with a break in competition on Monday, August 26. Admission is $5 per person or $15 per carload, with children under 6 admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 1 is $15 per person (in addition to $5/person or $15/carload admission). Parking throughout the show is free.

In addition to the competition taking place each day simultaneously in five rings, spectators will be treated to a variety of other exciting exhibits, including the Boutique Garden's 36 vendor booths, Stable Row's 20 booths, three on-site public restaurants, and the kids area open throughout the week.

For more information on the Hampton Classic be sure to visit the website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call 631-537-3177. For further press information: Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810, classic.pr@verizon.net.