BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY (Aug. 29, 2001) - Canadian rider Eric Lamaze negotiated a tricky ending by course designer Conrad Homfeld to win the Manhattan Style $10,000 Open Jumper Class at the 26th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show Wednesday. The Canadian equestrian team rider took not only first place, but third and fifth as well - taking home $4,600 in prize money.

"It's often difficult to ride Conrad's courses," said Lamaze of Ontario. "The toughest line was a double with very short distances. Since this was a speed class, it was difficult to gather the horse for the last double. Your horse had to come back well to you to keep his jump to get across."

Ramiro Quintana of Southampton, NY, finished second aboard Lacost, who received $2,000 in prize money. In Open Jumper classes, winning is determined by the horse's completion of a course of jumps up to 5 feet in height, with as few penalties as possible. Speed also counts against the horse and rider.

Lamaze, who has competed in two World Cups, actually rode four horses in the Manhattan Style Open Jumper class. His first mount, a 9-year-old German warmblood named Gazetto, had a pole down on that last tricky combination, which kept the horse out of the ribbons. But that pulled pole helped Lamaze understand the course.

Lamaze's next ride was Rosina, a 9-year-old German mare, who took the lead. But then Lamaze beat himself and Rosina with his next mount, an 8-year-old Selle Francais named Ezior Danum. He took the class with his final mount, a 10-year-old German warmblood named Millcreek Raphael. Ezior received third place and the $1,000 prize money in the Manhattan Style class, while Rosina took fifth place and $600 in prize money. The Hampton Classic continues through Sunday, Sept. 2, which winds up with the exciting $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix Presented by David Yurman.

Other major highlights at this year's Hampton Classic include:

Thursday, Aug. 30

Seniors Day presented by 50 Plus Senior News

Friday, Aug. 31:

Celebrity Cruises' Fiesta Day presented by Avis;

$25,000 Adequan Fiesta Day Grand Prix Qualifier

Saturday, Sept. 1:

Cablevision's Kids Day;

$25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix;

Pony Jumpers

Sunday, Sept. 2:

$150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix presented by David Yurman

$50,000 AmeriChoice Eastern Finals of the Young Jumper Championships

$25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby

$100,000 New Things Grand Prix Bonus Challenge

Admission to The Hampton Classic is $5 per person, $15 per carload, and children under six are admitted free daily. On Friday and Saturday (August 31-September 1), children under 12 are admitted free, and seniors are admitted free Thursday, August 30. Reserved grandstand seats for Grand Prix Sunday, September 2 are an additional $15 per person. Parking is free during the event. The Hampton Classic Horse Show benefits the Southampton Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the United States Equestrian Team. Offering up the best in show jumping, there is no other competition that brings together the hunter-jumper circuit with thousands of spectators, extravagant social events, celebrities, shopping and fine dining in the Hamptons.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show benefits the Southampton Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the United States Equestrian Team. Offering up the best in show jumping, there is no other competition that brings together the hunter-jumper circuit with thousands of spectators, extravagant social events, celebrities, shopping and fine dining in the Hamptons. For more information on the Hampton Classic, be sure to visit the show's web site at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Email requests for information may be submitted to info@hamptonclassic.com.

Find daily results online at www.hamptonclassic.com.