BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY— August 27, 2002 — A large field of show jumping competitors took to the grand prix field in the $5,000 David Yurman Open Jumper competition, but it was Candice King who was crowned the winner at the 2002 Hampton Classic Horse Show.

Of the 69 horses that contested the competition, King of Wellington, FL, was able to post a clear round in the fastest time, 68.47 seconds, with Espadon.

“I went in to try to get a piece of the competition, but also to keep him confident,” said King of the 10-year-old selle francais gelding that was purchased in Belgium this past January. “He’s a special horse, he is like my best friend.”

King used the $5,000 David Yurman Open Jumper competition to determine if she will compete in Friday’s $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix, and Espandon certainly proved he is up to the challenge.

Double Olympic gold medallist Joe Fargis of Middleburg, VA, finished the day as runner-up, clocking in with a time of 69.31 seconds riding Diams III. Local rider Laura Bowery, 33, of Bridgehampton, NY, was third with Gandini Sky Boy, a 12-year-old Hannoverian gelding owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dimenna.

Olympic silver medallist Peter Leone of Franklin Lakes, NJ, was fourth riding Rastella while New York’s Sheila Burke rounded out the top five with her seasoned partner, Jamison. The only other rider to post a clear round was Argentina’s Federico Sztyrle who now makes his home in Bridgehampton, NY.

The Hampton Classic is one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions. Many of the world’s best equestrians are competing for more than $250,000 in prize money during the Classic, which benefits the Southampton Hospital. Each day of the show is devoted to special events and social activities, culminating with the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix on Sunday, September 1.

Other featured show jumping events during the Hampton Classic include the $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix, the $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix, the $50,000 Eastern Finals of the Young Jumper Championships, and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby for riders under the age of 21.

In addition to the competition, spectators will be treated to a variety of other exciting exhibits including the Boutiques Garden’s numerous vendor booths, Stable Row’s 20 booths, three on-site public restaurants, and an Exhibition Horse/Children’s area open throughout the week.

The Hampton Classic continues through Sunday, September 1. Admission is $5 per person or $15 per carload per day, 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) or $25 per person for premium front-row seating. Parking throughout the show is free.

For more information and full competition results, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call 631-537-3177.