World No. 1 Kent Farrington Leads 50th Hampton Classic Field

World No. 1 Kent Farrington (USA) heads an impressive list of show jumping athletes entered to compete in the 50th Hampton Classic Horse Show. This year’s competition promises to be the best yet with 13 Olympians, top international stars from 22 countries and the three podium finishers from 2024 all ready to contest the courses designed by Nick Granat (USA).

Celebrating 50 years of world-class equestrian competition in 2025, the Hampton Classic Horse Show returns to Bridgehampton August 24-31, featuring FEI CSI5* and CSI2* show jumping and USEF Premier hunter competitions with more than $1 million in prize money. The highlight of the week is the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix, one of the world’s premier show jumping competitions.

Germany’s Rene Dittmer hopes to defend his 2024 Hampton Classic Grand Prix title against multiple Olympic veterans and fellow Grand Prix winners, including Farrington, who won the event in 2012 and 2013. Farrington has represented the U.S. at two Olympic Games and multiple championships with one Olympic medal (team Silver in 2016), one World Championship medal (team Bronze in 2014) and two Pan American Games medals (team Gold in 2011, team Bronze in 2015).

Among those joining Dittmer and Farrington at the Classic is six-time U.S. Olympian McLain Ward, who has won the Hampton Classic Grand Prix a record seven times and is currently ranked World #8. Ward is a top competitor on the international stage with five Olympic medals (team Gold in 2004 and 2008; team Silver in 2016, 2021 and 2024). He was also the Longines FEI World Cup champion in 2017 and claimed his second victory in the Hampton Classic’s Longines Rider Challenge last year.

Also looking to reclaim the Hampton Classic Grand Prix title is three-time Olympian Daniel Bluman of Israel, who is currently ranked No. 21 on the Longines FEI World Rider Rankings. He brought home his third Classic title in 2023 and became just the fourth rider to win the featured event at least three times.

Also returning to the Hampton Classic is four-time Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauriers, who won the Grand Prix in 2019. He will not make things easy for his fellow athletes, including his daughter Lucy Deslauriers, who placed second to him in 2019. Mario Deslauriers is a three-time WEG and two-time Pan American Games competitor and remains the youngest rider ever to win the FEI World Cup Final, a title he won in 1984 at age 18. Lucy helped the U.S. win a team Bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games.

Other entered riders include World No. 22 Shane Sweetnam, who represented Ireland in the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games and who has won the Hampton Classic’s Longines Rider Challenge three times; World No. 11 Darragh Kenny, Sweetnam’s teammate for the 2021 Olympic Games and winner of the 2023 Longines Rider Challenge at the Classic; 2021 Olympians Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Uma O’Neill (NZL); and 2024 Olympians Thaisa Erwin (AUS), Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Isabella Russekoff (ISR).

Other notable athletes looking to claim prestigious titles at the Hampton Classic this year include three-time Olympic veterans Beat Mändli (SUI) and Alberto Michan (ISR), World No. 29 Lillie Keenan (USA), 2015 Hampton Classic Grand Prix winner Karen Polle (JPN), and Dittmer’s fellow 2024 podium finishers: Americans Mimi Gochman and Alex Matz, who finished in second and third, respectively.

Each year, approximately 50,000 people — including many A-list celebrities — come to watch the nation’s best equestrian athletes compete at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Rated USEF ‘Premier-6’ for hunters and jumpers with designated FEI 2* and 5* jumping classes, the Hampton Classic features more than 200 competitions in six spectacular show rings, the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options, all on its world-class 60-acre showgrounds.

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).

Some VIP tables in the Grand Prix and USET Tents still remain for Opening Sunday, August 24, as well as for the rest of the week (Tuesday through Sunday). Those interested in purchasing a table should email sponsorship@hamptonclassic.com.

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-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.

Celebrating 50 years of equestrian tradition, the Hampton Classic is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows and features competitors at every level from young children to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities. Additionally, there will be an installation in the show’s souvenir shop to celebrate the Classic’s 50th edition.

Located near the Hamptons’ famous beaches, nightclubs, restaurants and boutiques, the Hampton Classic is a celebrity hotspot. Among those who have attended in recent years are many A-listers including Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Billy Joel, Jennifer Lopez, Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Fallon, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert Downey Jr., Mariska Hargitay, Bobby Flay, Brooke Shields, Kelly Ripa, Sofia Vergara, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Julianne Moore and Michael Bloomberg.

Following is an overview of the Classic’s schedule:

Sunday, August 24 — Local classes for Long Island competitors, including the $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby and the Atlantic Equine Local Junior Hunter division, highlight Opening Day. Also featured are Leadline classes, Opening Day Ceremonies with the presentation of the Long Island Sportsmanship Award, and the $30,000 The Wellington Jumper Challenge.

Monday, August 25 — The Finals of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities Presented by Dime Bank highlight the competition. Spectators are invited to shop in the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden. The Classic will host the 14th annual Animal Adoption Day presented by Georgina Bloomberg where adoptable cats and dogs will be in the Kids Area from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and adoptable horses presented by the EQUUS Foundation will be showcased in the Grand Prix Ring from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free on Monday.

Tuesday-Thursday, August 26-28 — A wide variety of jumper and hunter competitions will take place, as well as special family-oriented activities in the Kids Area. Admission is free on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for seniors, members of the military, and for those who bring three or more nonperishable food items for local food pantries.

Thursday-Sunday, August 28-31 — Her Royal Highness Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parma of The Netherlands will be at the Classic. She will present awards to winners of the $10,000 Hunt and Go Stake sponsored by The Baran on Thursday afternoon (class begins at 3:30 p.m.) and the $70,000 2* Grand Prix on Sunday (class begins at 10:30 a.m.).

Friday, August 29 — Friday features the $10,000 Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake and $32,000 Wölffer Estate 2* Open Jumper. The $116,100 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier will set the line-up for Sunday’s Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix. The schedule also includes a wide variety of other jumper and hunter competitions.

Saturday, August 30 — Kids Day will feature plenty of free activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Smaller children receive a free pony ride. The Grand Prix ring will host the $10,000 Hermès Equitation Championship. Several Hunter and jumper championship classes for Amateurs, Juniors and Ponies will round out the schedule.

Sunday, August 31 — Grand Prix Sunday features the $25,000 Agneta & Brownlee Currey Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, the $70,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix, and other competitions prior to the week’s feature, the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix. The VIP Tent is packed with a “who’s who” of Hamptons notables and other celebrities. Winners of the Hamptons Cottages & Gardens VIP Table Décor contest are announced.

Further information on the Hampton Classic is available on the Classic’s website at hamptonclassic.com or by calling 631-537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.