Edited Press Release

Bridgehampton, NY – August 30, 2023 – Six-time Brazilian Olympian Rodrigo Pessoa returned to the Hampton Classic Grand Prix Arena on Wednesday for another blue-ribbon finish in the $10,000 UBS Open Jumper. Piloting his winning mount from Tuesday’s featured class, Dhalida Diamant VD Krekebeke Z, he had the fastest double-clear time of 25.691 seconds.

The Hampton Classic, August 27-September 3, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

Thirty-four entries braved the rain to tackle Alan Wade’s 14-effort, 1.40m two-phase course in the $10,000 UBS Open Jumper. Although this was only Pessoa’s second time competing with Dhalida Diamant VD Krekebeke Z, he and Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC’s 9-year-old Zangersheide mare proved they are a pair to watch out for. 

“We are finding out that she is deceptively fast without looking to go crazy,” Pessoa said. “We’re still finding out more about each other and our new partnership. We’re really happy with her performance these last two days. She’s won enough for the week; she can go home!”

Pessoa also earned fourth place aboard Chili, Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC’s 11-year-old Westphalian mare, with a faultless time of 27 seconds flat. “She was well on target today,” he said. “She’s here for the 2* this week, so it was nice to get a round under her belt before that starts.”

Americans Charlise Casas and Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen rounded out the top three. Casas rode to second-place honors aboard Chaccolina D, Always Faithful Equine LLC’s 10-year-old Hanoverian mare, in a time of 26.122 seconds. Cruciotti Vanderveen took third with Far West De Hus, an 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Serenity Farm and Woodhaven Stables, for her time of 26.961 seconds. 

Pessoa maintains his lead in the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge with 170 points. Cruciotti Vanderveen has moved into second place with 115 points. Carly Anthony (USA) and Christian Coyle (IRL) remain tied for third with 100 points each. The Challenge, which awards $30,000 and a Longines watch to the rider accumulating the most points in the week’s Open Jumper classes, will be awarded Sunday following the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix.

For live show results, visit TheHamptonClassic.com.

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. Rated USEF ‘Premier-6’ for hunters and jumpers with designated FEI 2* and 5* 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.

The Hampton Classic’s FEI competition begins Thursday, August 31, with the $10,000 Citarella Open Jumper CSI2* and $39,000 Flecha Azul 5* Speed Stake and continues throughout the weekend with eight 2/5 classes featuring courses designed by Ireland’s Alan Wade. FEI competition also includes Friday’s $39,000 Wölffer Estate 2* Jumper Classic, $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier, Saturday’s $39,000 Open Speed Class CSI2, and the $78,000 The Agency 5 Speed Stake, and culminating with the $78,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix and $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix on Sunday, September 3.

Outside the show rings, families can enjoy unique shopping; hands-on activities, pony rides and petting zoo animals at the Kids Exhibition Tent; and many more fun activities during News 12 Long Island Kids Day (Saturday, September 2).

Daily admission to the Classic is $20 per carload. Admission is free on Monday; seniors and military are also admitted free on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Grandstand tickets for the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic Grand Prix on Sunday, September 3, are $55 per person for reserved bucket seating. Grandstand tickets are electronic only; E-Tickets are provided thanks to support from Green is the New Blue.

For those who can’t make it to the show grounds, complimentary live webcasts of all Grand Prix and Aspinall Ring competitions air on the Hampton Classic website. Produced by ClipMyHorse.TV, the Grand Prix Ring livestreams are sponsored by Longines and the Aspinall Ring livestreams are sponsored by ClipMyHorse.TV. 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 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. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.

Original press release courtesy of Classic Communications/The Hampton Classic