May 25, 2006

Prudential Financial Returns as Title Sponsor of the $150,000 Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic Horse Show

New Sponsorships Announced for 2006 Hampton Classic, August 27 to September 3, 2006

“As the Hampton Classic embarks on its fourth decade, we are committed to building on the tradition of excellence established by Tony Hitchcock and Jean Lindgren,” Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Barth said of her predecessors who retired last year after 30 years with the Classic. “The Hampton Classic is the closing highlight of the Hamptons’ summer season and it will once again present a memorable week of outstanding equestrian competition featuring many Olympic and World Championship riders.

“We are pleased to welcome back Prudential Financial as sponsor of the Grand Prix, and also to announce that we have several new sponsors joining our ‘family of Hampton Classic supporters’ including Grey Goose Vodka, Hermès of Paris, DuBarry Shoes of Ireland, and Budget Rent A Car Systems, to name a few,” Ms. Barth noted. “In addition to our regular line-up of major show jumping events, we will host a special competition this year, the Finals of the Long Island Show Series for Riders with Disabilities (LISSRD), on Monday, August 28.

“We invite everyone to join us and see why so many people believe that the Hampton Classic is the perfect way to end their summer,” Ms. Barth concluded.

Grey Goose Vodka, Sotheby’s International Realty, Calvin Klein, Hermès of Paris and Wölffer Estate to Sponsor Major Competitions at 2006 Hampton Classic.

Sunday, August 27

The Hampton Classic $20,000 Time Challenge, a competition that debuted at the Classic in 2003, will once again be the featured show jumping event of The Manhattan Mortgage Company’s Opening Day. Opening Day Ceremonies presented in the Grand Prix Ring also feature exhibitions and other attractions.

Monday, August 28

While there is no major jumping competition in the Grand Prix Ring, the Finals of the Long Island Show Series for Riders with Disabilities will be the highlight of activities on Monday, August 28. Spectators are also invited to come and watch horses and riders in schooling sessions, and to shop in the Boutique Garden or visit the World of the Horse™ Exhibition Tent and Show Yard where children can pet a llama or miniature horse and visit the rescued farm animals housed there. There is no admission charge on Monday.

Tuesday, August 29

Tuesday’s events include Amateur-Owner, Junior, and Open Jumpers, and Green Working Hunters and Children's Hunters, as well as the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic and the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.

Wednesday, August 30

Round one of the 5- and 6-year-old East Coast Young Jumper Championships takes place on Wednesday, and competition continues in Amateur-Owner, Junior, and Open Jumper sections. Adult Amateur Hunter classes are also featured, as are Green and Regular Working Hunters.

Thursday, August 31

The week’s jumper competition continues with Round two of the East Coast Young Jumper Championships as well as Adult Amateur, Children’s, Amateur-Owner, and Open Jumpers. In addition, there are Regular and Adult Amateur Hunters and Junior Hunters. The $5000 Amateur-Owner Jumper (low) Classic, and the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Hunter Classic are also scheduled. Equitation classes feature the National PHA Equitation and the USEF Equestrian Medal.

Friday, September 1

Friday features a day of qualifying events in the Grand Prix Ring in which top show jumpers vie for slots in Sunday’s exciting Grand Prix Ring competitions. Starting at 8:30 a.m. is the $5,000 Show Jumping Derby, a qualifier for Sunday’s $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, followed by the $50,000 Grey Goose Vodka World Cup Qualifier to set the order for Sunday’s $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix. Other highlights include the Washington International Equitation Jumper phase, the USEF Pony Medal, and the NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay.

Saturday, September 2

On Saturday, Cablevision’s Kids Day features plenty of activities for children and parents. Cablevision’s Kids Day takes place at the World of the Horse™ Exhibition Tent and Show Yard located behind the main grandstands. Children under 12 are admitted free.

Children can gather around Alcazar the Magician to witness his sleight of hand. The Great Rubini will create balloon animals and paint children’s faces. Children can learn a few tricks themselves as the National Circus Project teaches juggling, plate spinning and stilt walking. There are free pony rides for children under age 12.

Featured events on Saturday include the eighth annual $10,000 Wölffer Estate Equitation Championship, $20,000 5-year-old and $30,000 6-year-old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $25,000 Sotheby’s International Realty Challenge Cup, the $15,000 WGHR Farm Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and the Pony Hunter Classic. The Jumper Ring also features the USEF Zone 2 Medal Championship and the Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur and Children’s Jumper Classics.

Sunday, September 3

Sunday’s festivities at the Hampton Classic begin at 8:00 am with the $30,000 7- & 8-year-old Young Jumper Championship Finals. The Young Jumper Finals will award a total of $80,000 in prize money in three divisions – 5-year-old, 6-year-old, and 7 & 8-year-old. These Finals will be followed by the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby, a member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. The hunter ring features the $10,000 Hermés Hunter Classic at 11:00 am. The Hampton Classic Horse Show’s grand finale — the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix – takes place at 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Prix Ring. The Grand Prix is a qualifying event helping to determine which U.S. riders will qualify to ride in the 2007 FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas next April.

Awards presentations take place on Sunday, including a jeroboam of Louis Roederer Champagne to be awarded to the Grand Prix winner. Additionally, Antarés Custom Saddles will present a saddle to the show jumping rider with the best “style of riding” as determined by the judges.

Shopping and Dining

In addition to great equestrian competition taking place in five rings each day, spectators at the Hampton Classic Horse Show will be treated to a variety of other exciting exhibits, including the Boutique Garden’s 50 vendor booths, Stable Row’s 20 booths, three on-site public restaurants, and a children’s area open throughout the week.

Admission and General Information

Competition runs from Sunday, August 27 through Sunday, September 3. Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under 6 admitted free. Admission is free for everyone on Monday, seniors are free on Thursday and kids are free 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.

For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177.