“This is the tenth year that we have hosted these workshops and they continue to provide new and returning sponsors with an assortment of ideas on how to best utilize their relationship with the Hampton Classic,” Hitchcock said.

The workshop began with, “A Year in Transition,” an introduction to the Hampton Classic’s new leadership as Tony and Jean move on and the Classic’s second Executive Director, Shanette Barth, takes over. After 30 years of leadership, Tony and Jean’s retirement takes effect April 1, 2006. Hitchcock and Lindgren noted that they will work closely with Barth over the next 10 months to ensure an orderly transition.

Present at the Workshop were representatives of many of the Hampton Classic’s sponsors, including new sponsors Prudential Douglas Elliman, Hickey Freeman, and Fendi as well as returning sponsors such as Calvin Klein, Manhattan Mortgage, Sentient Jet, Sotheby’s International Realty, and David Yurman.

The Keynote Address was given by Diane Muller of IEG Sponsorship Services. Ms. Muller gave a presentation entitled, “Ten Break-Through Ideas To Ensure Sponsorship Success.” Some of the ideas in Muller’s presentation included sponsorship activation by cross-promoting, rewarding customers, and integrating products. Many sponsors plan to take advantage of these ideas by giving product as special awards at the Hampton Classic (Antarés Sellier-France Saddle for the Style of Riding Award, a gold and silver David Yurman belt buckle and a jeroboam of Louis Roederer Champagne to be awarded to the Grand Prix winner.)

Muller went on to explain that, “Customers want to see things that speak to them and are something they can relate to.” She added that it was time to stop selling but rather engage, entertain and involve the consumer.

Among the speakers at this year’s sponsor workshop were representatives Kirsten La Motte and Kelly Lunch of Sentient Jet, a sponsor returning for its second year at the Hampton Classic sponsor. La Motte and Lynch looked back at their experience in 2004 and ahead to 2005, noting that this year they will create a hands-on display that will better showcase their service and attract prospective customers. In doing so, Sentient is utilizing one of the IEG Sponsorship ideas mentioned by Diane Muller--rewarding customers. They’re doing that by initiating a program where people can contact them to have Sentient Jet fly them to and from the Hampton Classic.

Michael Howell, Hampton Classic Horse Show Director of Marketing, provided sponsors with an overview of various opportunities available to them, including ancillary promotional options such as advertising on the event’s telecasts, and on live local radio broadcasts. The opportunity to network with other sponsors, meet with Classic officials, and hear from outside speakers has combined to make the annual workshop extremely popular with the sponsors who attend each year.

Major corporate sponsors for 2005 include American Express, Antares Sellier-France, Barbour by Peter Elliott, Bridgehampton National Bank, Cablevision Systems, Champagne Louis Roederer, Charles Owen UK, Continental Advisory Services, The Corcoran Group, Dan’s Papers, Der Dau Custom Boots and Shoes, EquiFit, FENDI, GGET LLC, Global Horse Transport, Goldman Sachs, Hampton Luxury Liner, Hamptons Magazine, Hickey Freeman, Jaguar, Calvin Klein, Land Rover, LeSportsac, Loaves & Fishes/Viking Range Co., Manhattan Mortgage, Midwest Industrial Supply, Newsday, Not Traditional Media, Peerless Importers, Peter Elliot, Polo Roller, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Prudential Financial, Purina Mills, R-Squared, Allan M. Schneider Associates, Sentient Jet, Show Circuit Magazine, Snapple, Sotheby’s International Realty, Taylor Harris Insurance, Tavern on the Green, Triple Crown Custom, The Wall Street Journal, Walpole Woodworkers, WCBS-TV2, Wild Horse Winery, Wolffer’s Estate Vineyards & Stables, WVVH-TV, Young Jumper Championships, and David Yurman.

Admission and General Information

The Hampton Classic runs from Sunday, August 28 through Sunday, September 4 with a break in competition on Monday, August 29. Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under 6 admitted free. Seniors are free Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 12 and under kids are free on Saturday. 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.In addition to great equestrian competition taking place each day simultaneously in five rings, spectators at the Hampton Classic Horse Show will be treated to a variety of other exciting exhibits, including the Boutique Garden’s 40 vendor booths, Stable Row’s 20 booths, three on-site public restaurants, and a children’s open throughout the week.