Bridgehampton, NY-August 29, 2005-After celebrating Manhattan Mortgage Company's Opening Day on Sunday, August 28, the 30th annual Hampton Classic is looking forward to exciting equestrian competition and other activities yet to come in the week ahead.

One of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic features the sport's biggest names competing for big prize money. Among the competition highlights of this year's horse show are the $30,000 Sotheby's International Realty World Cup Qualifier and the Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby Qualifier on Friday, September 2 and Cablevision's Kids Day/Dia de los Ninos, presented by Hickey Freeman, and the $25,000 FENDI Cup on Saturday, September 3.

The following day, Grand Prix Sunday, September 4, features the $100,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby. Grand Prix Sunday also features a dressage demonstration by six-time Olympic dressage rider Robert Dover, the most accomplished dressage rider in U.S. history!

New for 2005, a Southampton Hospital "Clear Jump" Challenge has been created to permit spectators to pledge contributions directly to Southampton Hospital. Donors will pledge any amount they wish to be paid each time a horse and rider clear the new Southampton Hospital Jump during the Grand Prix. It is expected that between 30 and 40 horses could be clear over this jump so if an individual has pledged $100 per clear trip, then between $3,000 and $4,000 could be given by this donor to the Hospital. Southampton Hospital volunteers will be on hand all day to collect pledge cards in the VIP Tents and the main grandstands.

Awards presentations take place on Sunday, including a gold and silver David Yurman belt buckle and a jeroboam of Louis Roederer Champagne to be awarded to the Grand Prix winner.

Throughout the week, there's no lack of thrilling equestrian competition. Tuesday's events include Amateur-Owner, Junior, and Open Jumpers, and Green Working Hunters and Children's Hunters, as well as the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic and the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.

On Wednesday, August 31, Round One of the SHF Enterprises 5-year-old and Shamrock Ventures 6-year-old East Coast Young Jumper Championships take place and competition continues in Amateur-Owner, Junior, and Open Jumper sections. Adult Amateur and Hunter classes are also featured, as are the Green and Regular Working Hunters.

Thursday, jumper competition continues with Round Two of the East Coast Young Jumper Championships as well as Adult Amateur, Children's, Amateur-Owner, and Open Jumpers. In addition, there are Regular and Adult Amateur Hunters, and Junior Hunters. The first round of the $10,000 Calvin Klein Equitation Championship and the $2,500 Adult Amateur Hunter Classic are also scheduled. Equitation classes feature the National PHA Equitation and the USEF Equestrian Medal.

Friday features a day of qualifying events in the Grand Prix Ring in which top show jumpers vie for slots in Sunday's exciting Grand Prix Ring competitions. Starting at 8:00 a.m. is the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Show Jumping Derby Welcome Stake, a qualifier for Sunday's $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, followed by the $15,000 NTM Open Jumper Speed Derby and the $30,000 Sotheby's International Realty World Cup Qualifier that qualifies horses for the $100,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix on Sunday. This class also serves as a qualifying event helping to determine which U.S. riders will ride in the 2006 World Cup Final in Malaysia next April.

Saturday, Cablevision's Kids Day/Dia de los Ninos, presented by Hickey Freeman, features a broad array of activities for children and parents. Cablevision's Kids Day takes place at the World of the HorseT Exhibition Tent and Show Yard located behind the main grandstands. Children under 12 are admitted free. 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.

A special award will be given to an individual of Hispanic descent who has made a significant contribution to the horse industry. Featured events on Saturday include the $20,000 SHF Enterprises 5-year-old and $30,000 Shamrock Ventures 6-year-old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $25,000 Fendi Cup, the $15,000 WGHR Farm Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, the eighth annual $10,000 Calvin Klein Equitation Championship, and the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic. Jumper Ring 2 features the USEF Zone 2 Medal Championship and the Adult Amateur and Children's Jumper Classics.

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 is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 4 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.