August 31, 2006

Anne Kursinski Tops $7,500 Land Rover Open Jumping Class At 31st Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

Bridgehampton, NY—August 30, 2006— It was once again a battle of Olympians in the $7,500 Land Rover Open Jumper 1.45 meter class at the 31st Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show as the top three finishers came home within two-tenths of a second of each other in the day’s only event held in the Grand Prix ring.

Capturing the top spot was Anne Kursinski of Frenchtown, NJ, winner of team Silver Medals from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. Kursinski, reserve champion in last year’s $100,000 Prudential Grand Prix, had the fastest of the twelve clear rounds riding Roxana, owned by Scott Hakim, finishing in a time of 55.46 seconds.

Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ, winner of team Gold and individual Silver Medals at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, just missed Kursinski’s time and took second place. Kappler was aboard VDL Maseratie, owned by Juan Pablo and VDL Stud, and finished in a time of 55.52 seconds. Kappler is having a good week so far, also winning the $5,000 Jaguar 1.35m Open Jumper Class at the Classic on Tuesday.

Third went to Lauren Hough of Wellington, FL, on Rodos, owned by Victoria D’Agostino who was clear in 55.65 seconds. Hough was a member of the 2000 US Olympic Show Jumping team in Sydney Australia.

SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR THURSDAY

The weather has dictated a few more schedule changes for Thursday at the Classic:

• Class # 207, the 1.40 meter Open Jumper and Class #208, the 1.45 meter Open Jumper are combined and will now be held in the Grand Prix ring at 10:30 am. The prize money will also be combined.
• Class #211 Amateur-Owner Jumper 1.40 meter, will now be held in Jumper Ring #2.
• Class #256, the FTI Consulting East Coast YJC Round 1,7, & 8 Year-Olds, will now be held in Jumper Ring #2

The Hampton Classic runs through Sunday, September 3. Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under 6 admitted free. Seniors are admitted free through Thursday, and children under 12 are free on Cablevision’s Kids Day on Saturday. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 3 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.

Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity to enjoy the show on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, is broadcasting up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.

Additionally, WCBS-TV/CBS 2 New York, the official New York television station of the Hampton Classic, will broadcast a special one-hour program of Hampton Classic highlights on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. The special will feature action from the frontlines, behind the scenes, and colorful social events connected with the Classic.

The Classic is also receiving extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, the official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3.