Bridgehampton, NY – August 30, 2004 — The 29th Hampton Classic got underway on Sunday, August 29, with Joe Fargis of Southampton, NY, claiming the first show jumping title up for grabs during the week-long event, the $20,000 David Yurman Time Challenge.

Twenty years after claiming Team and Individual Gold Medals at the 1984 Olympic Games, Fargis proved he still has the winning touch, earning $6,000 in prize money riding Diams III for owner Mary B. Schwab.

“You go in and you try your best, and my best just happened to be the best of the lot today,” noted Fargis, who has been riding Diams III, a 13-year-old mare, since she was imported from France four years ago. “We get along very well. She’s fragile, but when she’s good, she is great!”

A total of 42 starters took to the pristine grand prix field in an effort to post the fastest clear round over the course set by Bridgehampton’s own, course designer Conrad Homfeld. Fargis’ 1984 Olympic Gold Medal teammate, Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, finished as the runner-up. Riding Kenwi, Howard’s had laid down the challenge by posting a time of 60.17 seconds, but Fargis was just able to catch her, stopping the timers at 60.06 seconds.

Yet another Olympic veteran, 2000 Sydney team member Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI, placed third riding Milona after clocking in at 61.95 seconds.

Added to Opening Day in 2003 and sponsored by long-time Hampton Classic supporter and renowned jewelry designer, David Yurman, the $20,000 Time Challenge is an exciting and welcome addition to the Hampton Classic’s show jumping line-up.

The 29th annual Hampton Classic officially opened on Sunday, August 29, with the Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Day festivities. Equestrian competition started at 8:00 a.m. with action in the Grand Prix Ring beginning at noon with an exhibition of the Smithtown Hunt Club, a musical dressage performance, and the World of the Horse parade celebrating the wide variety of breeds that the horse world has to offer, before the $20,000 David Yurman Time Challenge got underway at 1 p.m.

Each year the Hampton Classic Horse Show attracts more than 50,000 spectators and celebrities to watch the country’s best horses and riders compete. One of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic boasts jam-packed social events and equestrian competitions from August 29 to September 5, culminating with the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix. Although there will be no competition on Monday, August 30, at the Hampton Classic, all of the boutiques will be open for shopping, and admission is free.

The rest of the week, admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 5, 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. Hampton Classic proceeds benefit Southampton Hospital.

For more information on Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Day and the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.