World’s top equestrians compete at Hampton Classic Horse Show

The iconic Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton opened Sunday.
The event has been going on for almost 50 years and it is the largest outdoor horse show in the U.S.
Top equestrians from around the world come to compete for more than $1 million in prize money.
Over 50,000 people came to watch the nation’s best equestrian athletes compete in different challenges.
The event kicked off with the Hampton Classic Leadline, where equestrians ages 2 to 7 years old rode horses as their parents or trainers led them. The event was judged by Olympic Gold medalist Joe Fargis.
Four-year-old Emma Lefcourt competed for the first time as her family proudly watched on.
“I've been riding for a really long time and to have my 4-year-old sister have her very first horse show at this humongous place is so amazing for me to watch,” Violet Lefcourt said.
The show is one of the biggest social events in the Hamptons, which also signals the grand finale of the summer season.
In addition to watching top equestrians, there was also plenty of shopping, international food to taste and activities for the whole family.
“We are an eight-day equestrian competition and each day we feature show jumping show…it's a spectacle really,” said Shanette Barth-Cohen, the executive director of the Hampton Classic. “We have Olympians here, we have riders as young as 2 years old, we have more than 80 shops.”
Daily admission was $20 per carload, with payment in cash only on Sunday.
Monday has free general admission since there will be no regular competition that day.
Seniors, veterans and current military members will have access to free admission to the competitions from Tuesday to Thursday.