5 Can’t-Miss Things at the Hampton Classic – with Classic President Dennis Suskind

Dennis Suskind President, Hampton Classic   The Hampton Classic, one of the largest and most anticipated outdoor horse shows in the world, returns to Bridgehampton for the 44 th year at the end of August. Douglas Elliman will also returning to the grounds for the 23 rd year as an event sponsor. To find out what’s new at this year’s event, Elliman Insider caught up with Hampton Classic President Dennis Suskind to get his can’t miss picks for this year’s edition, which will be his 30th as President. The Cavalry “We’re a horse show first and foremost, and the horses here are exceptional. I never get tired of watching these equine athletes – the partnership between horse and rider is so special and one of the things I miss most about being a rider myself. It’s a team sport unlike any other.” – DS The Skill “This year there will be more than a dozen Olympians competing, training, and working as officials as well as countless future Olympians showing in all of our rings. I love that the Hamptons community gets to see the absolutely top of the sport, in person, every summer, and they’re able to follow the careers of the riders who win here. A great example is my good friend McLain Ward, who has won the Classic’s Grand Prix a record seven times and has been to the Olympics four times and has won two gold medals and one silver.” – DS The Styles “My first stop in the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden is always the Hampton Classic’s own souvenir shop. My closet, my kids’ closets, and my grandkids closets are all full of Hampton Classic T’s, polos, jackets, and caps. Next, I check out the more than 80 shops and I am always amazed at the huge variety of offerings. We have vendors selling apparel, jewelry, housewares, artwork, and equestrian products. I can’t think of any other event where Land Rovers and Yachts are impulse items, but at the Hampton Classic, luxury vehicles and boats are sold right from the grounds every year.” – DS The Nosh “I remember when the only food you could get at an event like ours was hot dogs and hamburgers. Not today! We have an amazing variety of International offerings available, from Magdelena’s Mexican to Saaz Indian to Pizza Luca. New this year are Hamptons Aristocrat and a gelato cart.” – DS The Course “One of the signatures of The Hampton Classic is our grass Grand Prix field – one of the grandest stages in show jumping. Many shows have changed their rings to all-weather footing, which requires minimal year-round maintenance and is impacted less by unpredictable weather. After last year’s show, more than $1M was spent to rebuild the field from the bottom up, digging down more than 6 feet, installing underlying drainage and a soilsandfiber base, and laying all new Kentucky Bluegrass sod. I’m excited to see the new field in action, with top level show jumping on exceptional grass footing.” – DS Find Your Home in The Hamptons