Bridgehampton, NY – September 1, 2023 – Americans swept the podium in Friday’s $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier presented by Longines at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, which saw only six clear rounds from a field of 45 entries representing 14 nations. Of the three riders who returned over the shortened jump-off track, Jimmy Torano led the way with his winning time of 41.99 seconds aboard Chewbacca HCC.

Photo:  Jimmy Torano and Chewbacca HCC won Friday’s $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5 2023 Grand Prix Qualifier presented by Longines (© KindMedia Photography)

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.

Spectators glimpsed an impressive field of entries aiming for Sunday’s $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix as they competed over Friday’s 16-effort, 1.60m course designed by Alan Wade for the $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier presented by Longines. Torano ultimately claimed top honors with the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Isalou Inc. and Jet Equestrian Group LLC, tripping the timers in 41.99 seconds, a blazing 3.8 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Brianne Goutal-Marteau (USA).

“With Carly (Anthony) going first and having a rail down, Brianne played it very safe, which opened the door for me,” Torano said. “Going last put me in the driver’s seat. I was very quick through the first part of the course and felt like I’d done enough, then really took it easy going over the last two jumps.

“My horse has a big scope,” he added. “He’s very careful and has a lot of ability. The rollback to the Hermès oxer (in the first round) was difficult for sure – it wasn’t a wide jump, but I think a lot of people may have underestimated it and touched the back rail. Going so late in the order, I overrode it a little, and my horse just jumped fantastic. I feel great going into Sunday’s Grand Prix. This horse won the Thursday qualifier and Sunday grand prix back-to-back at Lake Placid, and it would be great to do that again here.”

Goutal-Marteau posted the only other double-clear time in 45.79 seconds to earn second aboard S&L Marlon VD Heffinck, S&L Farms’ 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion. Jump-off pathfinder Carly Anthony (USA) finished third with Portfolio Horses LLC’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Heavenly W on a four-fault score.

Three horse-and-rider combinations went clear over the initial course but elected not to return for the jump-off: Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Ladriano Z (0/70.51), Devin Ryan (USA) and Eddie Blue (0/71.08), and Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve (0/71.87).

Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) maintain first and second place in the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge with 215 points and 206 points, respectively. Anthony has moved into third with 170 points. 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 began 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.