★ Hampton Classic Horse Show

01Waarom het relevant is

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.

02De week eromheen

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.

03Wanneer aan te komen

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.

04Waar te verblijven

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.

05Toegang en 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.

06Waar de sociale activiteit plaatsvindt

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.

07Hoe u er komt

08Praktische informatie

09Geschiedenis

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.

10Wie is er

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.