Bridgehampton, NY-September 2, 2005-Joe Fargis of Southampton, NY won the $30,000 Sotheby's International Realty World Cup Qualifier at the 30th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show with a double clear performance riding Edgar 12, owned by Mary B. Schwab and OEJI Farm. Nine riders in a field of 54 made it to the jump off in the class determining which 30 horses qualify for Sunday's main event, the $100,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix.

Fargis and Edgar 12 were the first to go and the strategy for the pair was simple; they had none. "There was no game plan," said the 1984 Olympic double Gold Medalist. "I just took a shot and went with it. My strategy was to do the best I could with all that I have learned over the years." They went clean in 45.18 seconds and it was then a waiting game to see if it would hold up. Fargis took nothing for granted. "It's against my nature," said Fargis. "I thought I would be ninth."

The last pair to go looked like they would unseat the leaders. Anne Kursinski of Frenchtown, NJ and Roxanna were racing their way to the top, but just missed with a faultless round, and a slightly slower time of 45.54. The Sotheby's Grand Prix held added significance in that it also served as the first event to qualify U.S. riders for the 2006 FEI World Cup Final in Malaysia.

One of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic features the sport's biggest names competing for more than $450,000 prize money. On Saturday, it is Cablevision's Kids Day/Dia de los Ninos, presented by Hickey Freeman, at the Classic with the $25,000 Fendi Cup as the featured event. The best is saved for last with Grand Prix Sunday, featuring 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!

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.

Hampton Classic 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.

Some Hampton Classic classes can be seen live online at www.wvvh.tv. For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.