Extraordinary Athletes Take the Stage During Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities Finals

Multiple exceptional riders and their equally talented horses took the stage at the Hampton Classic Horse Show on Monday, putting their best feet (and hooves) forward for the 2025 Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities (LIHSSRD) Finals.

The series, which was established in 2005 by HorseAbility Inc. to provide riders with disabilities with opportunities to participate in USEF-rated hunter/jumper shows, also celebrated 20 years of exceptional competition this year.

All eyes were on the LIHSSRD athletes and their trusted mounts Monday morning as they vied for prestigious year-end awards in their respective divisions: Advanced Independent, Walk/Trot Independent and Walk/Trot with Aides. Afterward, they joined their families and volunteers for an awards ceremony and luncheon in one of the Classic’s VIP chalets. Helping to present the awards was three-time Olympic medalist and Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductee Joe Fargis.

“I’m flattered and honored to be here,” Fargis said. “I think it is so commendable that all these athletes come together at this special, special place. The riders all did a fantastic job, and of course, we can’t forget their outstanding horses.”

After winning a division championship at the LIHSSRD Finals in 2024, Kenzie Pu-Folkes of Great Neck returned to the Hampton Classic winner’s circle this year for top honors in the Advanced Independent division aboard HorseAbility Inc.’s Black Magic.

Securing victory in the Walk/Trot Independent division with HorseAbility Inc.’s Albert Einstein was Ellie Mahoney of Manhasset.

In the Walk/Trot with Aides division, Ava Barbera of Manhasset and Lisa Zimmerman’s Calgary brought home the championship.

“We are all so thrilled to have the series here at the Hampton Classic in their 20th year,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, the show’s executive director. “Hosting their finals is one of the things I’m most proud of in my tenure here. We love that we have a way for everyone to participate in this horse show. I want to give special thanks to the families, volunteers, and most importantly the horses for making it all possible.”

FEI competition begins on Thursday, August 28, with the $5,000 Citarella Open Jumper CSI2* and $32,000 CSI5* Two-Phase and continues throughout the weekend with seven 2*/5* classes. FEI competition also includes Friday’s $32,000 Wölffer Estate 2* Grand Prix Qualifier, $116,100 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier, Saturday’s $62,500 5* Winning Round, and culminates with the $70,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix and $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix on Sunday, August 31.

Other competition highlights include the $30,000 The Wellington Jumper Challenge, $10,000 Stomp Capital 1.40m Open Jumper, $40,000 CME Group 1.45m National Grand Prix, $10,000 Hunt & Go Stake presented by The Baran, $10,000 Hermès Equitation Championship, $25,000 Agneta & Brownlee Currey 1.45m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, and $30,000 Longines Rider Challenges, which are now being offered as two separate bonuses: $10,000 for the FEI 2* division and $20,000 for the FEI 5* division.

Outside of the show rings, families can enjoy unique shopping in the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden and on Stable Row; hands-on activities, pony rides and petting zoo animals at the Kids Exhibition Tent; and many more fun activities during Kids Day (Saturday, August 30).

Daily entry to the Hampton Classic is $25 per carload, which includes grandstand seating on all days except Grand Prix Sunday. Admission is free on Monday. Admission is also free on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for seniors, members of the military and those who bring three or more nonperishable food items for local food pantries.

Tickets for reserved grandstand seats for Grand Prix Sunday, August 31, are $55 per seat and are available on the Hampton Classic website. Tickets for the Classic’s new Judge’s Box Lounge, which offers an elevated experience for watching Grand Prix Ring competition on Thursday through Sunday, August 28–31, are also available. Lounge tickets are priced at $200 for Thursday, $300 for Friday or Saturday, and $600 for Grand Prix Sunday and are available on the Hampton Classic website.

For those who can’t make it to the showgrounds, complimentary live webcasts of all Grand Prix and Aspinall Ring competitions air on the Hampton Classic website. In addition, WVVH-TV, Hamptons Television, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at wvvh.tv.

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