Horsesdaily News: Finals Set for Calvin Klein Equitation Championship At the 30th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

Finals Set for Calvin Klein Equitation Championship At the 30th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

Bridgehampton, NY-September 1, 2005-Ten of the nation's best equitation riders advanced to the second and final round of the Calvin Klein Equitation Championship at the 30th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. The original field of 40 Juniors and Young Riders comprised riders who had qualified for the championship through top placings in 2004 equitation finals, 2005 USEF Talent Search classes or the USEF Medal class at this year 's Hampton Classic.

They each rode over Conrad Homfeld's 13-jump course that included one double combination, one triple and the Hampton Classic's famed water jump. Riders received numerical scores from judges Sue Ashe and Philip J. DeVita, Jr. with one point deducted from the subjective score for each jumping and/or time fault.

"This really is a phenomenal class," said DeVita. "It requires the effective riding style that we seek in equitation with some of the decision making abilities needed to jump Grand Prix courses. I think this class really stands out as a great test for our upcoming riders." Taking the top ten places and advancing to the final round were:

1. Maria Schaub of Holmdel, NJ
2. Sloane Coles of The Plains, VA
3. Clementine Goutal of New York, NY
4. Jessica Speiser of Wellington, FL
5. Tracey Mack of Noank, CT
6. Nikko Ritter of Geneva, FL
7. Jack Towell of Camden, SC
8. Chelsea Moss of Medford, NJ
9. Whitney Weeks of Wellington, FL
10. Agatha D'Ambra of Rexford, NY

In the final round, the ten riders will ride in inverse order of standing and they will carry their scores forward from round one. "We really saw some very good riding today," said Ashe. "Conrad Holmfeld is an absolute genius. He set a technical course that was a true test of riders' abilities and he separated the best from the rest of the pack. The top riders really rose to the occasion. I think the final will be a real treat to watch."

The Hampton Classic, one of the nation's premier show jumping competitions featuring the sport's biggest names competing for more than $450,000 prize money, continues through Sunday, September 4. Upcoming highlights include the $30,000 Sotheby's International Realty World Cup Qualifier and the Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby Qualifier on Friday and Cablevision's Kids Day/Dia de los Ninos, presented by Hickey Freeman, featuring the $25,000 Fendi Cup and the final round of the Calvin Klein Equitation Championship on Saturday. The following day, Grand Prix Sunday, features the $100,000 Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby. Grand Prix Sunday also features a dressage demonstration by six-time Olympic dressage rider Robert Dover, the most accomplished dressage rider in U.S. history!

Awards presentations take place on Sunday, including a gold and silver David Yurman belt buckle and a jeroboam of Louis Roederer Champagne to be awarded to the Grand Prix winner.

Hampton Classic admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six admitted free. 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. The Hampton Classic is a benefit event for Southampton Hospital.

Some Hampton Classic classes can be seen live 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.