Bridgehampton, NY—August 30, 2004—After celebrating the Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Day on Sunday, August 29, the 29th annual Hampton Classic is looking forward to the exciting equestrian competition and social activities still to come in the week ahead.

One of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic will feature the country’s biggest names competing for big prize money, including one half of the Silver Medal Team at the 2004 Olympic Games – Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, and McLain Ward of Brewster, NY.

The week of competition builds up to the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix, a member event of the King Shavings United States Grand Prix League, held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 5, where Ward comes in as the defending champion. In addition to defending his title, Ward will attempt to set a record by becoming the first rider in Hampton Classic history to win the marquee event for a fourth time. Other feature show jumping events on Sunday, September 5, include the $30,000 7-Year-Old Young Horse Jumper Championship Finals, followed by the $25,000 Calvin Klein Jeans Show Jumping Derby.

Throughout the week, there will be no lack of thrilling equestrian competition. Tuesday features the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic and the BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search, Wednesday brings the opening rounds of competition in the 5 and 6-Year-Old East Coast Young Jumper Championships which are continued on Thursday, along with the $5,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Low Classic and the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Hunter Classic. Equitation classes featured include the National PHA Equitation and the U.S. Equestrian Federation Hunter Seat Medal.

Friday spotlights lots of qualifying action in the Grand Prix Ring as the morning’ s Show Jumping Derby Welcome Stake acts as a qualifier for Sunday’s $25,000 Calvin Klein Jeans Show Jumping Derby while the $30,000 Adequan® Grand Prix Qualifier will determine the top thirty horse-rider combinations who advance to Sunday’s $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix. Other highlights include the Washington International Equitation Jumper phase, the U.S. Equestrian Pony Medal, and the NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay.

The air will be buzzing with weekend excitement as Saturday brings the $20,000 5-Year-Old and $30,000 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix, the $15,000 WGHR Farm Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, the seventh annual $10,000 Calving Klein Jeans Equitation Championship, and the Pony Hunter Classic.

Cablevision’s Kids Day/Dia de Los Ninos, Presented by HOY
In addition to the equestrian competition, the Hampton Classic features fun for the whole family. Saturday, September 4, is the eighth annual Cablevision’s Kids Day/Dia de Los Ninos, Presented by Hoy. At the World of the Horse™ Exhibition Tent and Show Yard located behind the main grandstands, children can gather around Alcazar the Magician to witness his sleight of hand. The Great Rubini will create balloon animals and paint children’s faces. Children can learn a few tricks themselves as the National Circus Project teaches juggling, plate spinning and stilt walking. There will be free pony rides for children under 12.

Several Hispanic acts will perform on stage as part of the Classic’s ongoing salute to the growing Latin American population on Long Island. The bilingual booklet Careers in the Horse Industry/Carreras en la Industria Equina and a bilingual horse coloring book — The World of the Horse/El Mundo del Caballo — will be distributed free to young people attending the Classic. A special award will be given to an individual of Hispanic descent who has made a significant contribution to the horse industry. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

Shopping and On-Site Dining
Shopping and dining is also a sport at the Hampton Classic with numerous on-site public restaurants and shops in Stable Row and the Boutique Garden including the popular Hampton Classic stand offering its much-coveted merchandise such as souvenir t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, mugs and other ‘Classic’ memorabilia. There are also numerous on-site restaurants and food stands sure to whet the appetite.

Admission and General Information
Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 5 is $15 per person (in addition to regular admission) or $25 per person in the special Premium Seating center sections. Parking is free throughout the week. The Hampton Classic is a benefit event for Southampton Hospital.

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