Recap: The 2024 Hampton Classic Horse Show

The 49th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show concluded Sunday, September 1, with the Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix, where Rene Dittmer of Germany raced to victory with one of only two double-clear rounds. He and Corsica X stopped the clock in 37.55 seconds to close their summer on a high, earning the winner’s share of the $400,000 purse.

“It’s just unbelievable to come here and win again,” said Dittmer, who won the $39,000 Flecha Azul 5* Speed Stake in 2023. “It really means a lot to me to win in front of this amazing crowd. My horse was unbelievable this week; she jumped five clear rounds and didn’t have a rail down all week. I’m really grateful that Mark Miness trusts me with this horse. I’m super happy and still can’t quite believe that this win happened in such a prestigious event.

The Hampton Classic is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. Rated USEF Premier-6 with designated FEI 5* and 2* show jumping classes, the Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

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.

FEI competition began Thursday, August 29, with the $10,000 Citarella Open Jumper CSI2* and $32,000 CSI5* Two-Phase and continued throughout the weekend with eight 2*/5* classes featuring courses designed by Nick Granat. FEI competition also included Friday’s $32,000 Wölffer Estate 2* Jumper Classic and $70,000 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier, Saturday’s $32,000 Open Speed Class CSI2* and $70,000 CSI5* Winning Round. The Classic culminated with the $75,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix and the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix on Sunday, September 1.

Other competition highlights included the $30,000 Open Jumper Challenge, $10,000 Stomp Capital 1.40m Open Jumper, $10,000 Lugano Diamonds Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake, $10,000 Hermès Equitation Championship, $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic, $25,000 Agneta & Brownlee Currey High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, and the new $50,000 Kristen Baran Hunt Team Stake.

On Monday, August 26, Gotham Enterprises sponsored Animal Adoption Day on the grounds. Adoptable horses were presented by the EQUUS Foundation, and multiple animal rescues from the Long Island area were there with dogs and cats up for adoption.