Olympic Medalists to Compete at Hampton Classic Horse Show

Bridgehampton, NY-Newly crowned Olympic team Gold Medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, will make the Hampton Classic Horse Show his first stop when he returns to the U.S. from the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Hong Kong.

Eric Lamaze, a member of Canada's Silver Medal team, as well as team alternates Anne Kursinski of the U.S. and Jonathan Asslin of Canada, will also be among the world-class riders competing in this year's Hampton Classic when it returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 24-31.

"We are very excited to welcome McLain Ward and Eric Lamaze to the Hampton Classic and are honored that they are coming to our horse show directly from Hong Kong after their medal winning performances," said Hampton Classic executive director Shanette Barth Cohen.  "Hosting Olympic medalists is nothing new for the Hampton Classic but it is extra exciting this year given that our event is the first one to follow the Games."

The Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, hosts a full range of hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from young children in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to Olympic medalists.  Ward, and the other riders in the open jumper division, are expected to compete each day as they target the Classic's feature event, the $200,000 FTI Grand Prix and World Cup™ Qualifier on Sunday, August 31.

The U.S. won its second consecutive Olympic team gold medal in a tiebreaking jump-off with Canada.  Norway won the bronze.

After finishing the two-round team competition in a tie for first place with Canada, the U.S. got clear rounds from its first three riders in the jump-off.  One Canadian rider knocked down a rail, and since Canada had only three riders to the Americans' four, that clinched the gold for the U.S.  The U.S. also won team gold in 2004 in Athens; Ward was also a member of that team.

"We invite everyone to come out to the Hampton Classic to welcome our Olympians back home," said Cohen.  "We are planning a special ceremony to honor them prior to the FTI Grand Prix on Sunday, August 31 and we invite everyone to come be part of our Olympic moment in the Hamptons."

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.