Press release from Hampton Classic Horse Show

Friday’s competition in the Hampton Classic Grand Prix Arena commenced in the morning with the $32,000 Wölffer Estate CSI2* Grand Prix Qualifier, which featured 31 entries representing ten countries. With the top two placings separated by just a hundredth of a second, Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) and Berdien (Bustique x Querlybet Hero) brought home the win in 38.46 seconds. 

The Hampton Classic, August 25-September 1, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. Rated USEF Premier-6 with designated FEI 5* and 2* show jumping classes, the Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

Course designer Nick Granat created a 16-effort, 1.45m track for the $32,000 Wölffer Estate CSI2* Grand Prix Qualifier, with only nine horse-and-rider combinations advancing to the jump-off. Ashe Cawley and Louisburg Farm’s 13-year-old Zangersheide mare narrowly claimed victory in 38.46 seconds; fellow American Vanessa Hood and K&T Geromino (Gamelus R x Cardento), a 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Take Two LLC, finished second with their faultless time of 38.47 seconds. 

“I thought I left a little room on course, actually,” Ashe Cawley said. “I knew I could be beaten, especially by Sydney (Shulman Desiderio) if she was clear. Her horse is so fast. I felt I was a little slow down the first line and tried to make it up across the middle to the liverpool. I took a little risk there, but I think that’s how I nipped by Vanessa with a very tiny hundredth of a second.”

Ireland’s Philip McGuane rounded out the podium with his 39.18-second time aboard Nayel Nassar and Evergate Stables LLC’s 14-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding Edgard De Prefontaine (Contact van de Heffinck x Orlando).