★ Hampton Classic Horse Show

01Why it matters

The Hampton Classic is the last fixture of the Hamptons season and functions as its closing ceremony. In our reading its real distinction is holding two audiences at once — a serious eight-day horse show for competitors and a community event for eastern Long Island.

02The week around it

The last week of the Hamptons summer is the busiest of the year on the East End: Route 27 is at its worst and the restaurants are booked. The Classic sits inside that rather than causing it.

03When to arrive

Grand Prix Sunday is the day and the only one that needs planning; the weekdays are quiet, cheap and much the better way to watch the sport.

04Where to stay

Sag Harbor, ten minutes north, is the pleasant base — a walkable village with the best of the East End's restaurants. East Hampton and Amagansett hold most of the hotel stock.

05Access and hospitality

The organizer sells general admission by the day, reserved grandstand seating, and a VIP programme including table catering for boxes in the main tent; the sport is watchable from the rail on every day including Sunday.

06Where the social activity happens

The grandstand rail and the VIP tent on Grand Prix Sunday; the boutique garden, where much of the week is actually spent; and the schooling rings, open to walk.

07Getting there

08Practicalities

09History

The show began in 1971 as a one-day event run by the Topping Riding Club in Sagaponack, became a rated five-day show in 1976 at Dune Alpin Farm — the founding it dates itself from — and moved to Bridgehampton in 1982. Its 501(c)(3) structure is why it is treated locally as a civic institution.

10Who is there

North American show jumping — riders, owners, juniors and their families; the Hamptons summer community; local East End residents drawn by the boutique garden and the dog show; and day visitors from New York on the final Sunday.