Local rider Katherine Strauss won the $25,000 Campbell Stables Show Jumping Derby defeating Cloe Hymowitz, of New York, NY, in a two-horse jump-off from a field of 24 entries at the 41st annual Hampton Classic Horse Show.
"It feels great, said the Southampton, NY, resident. "I have been working with my horse for a long time and it feels really great to have this result. I adjusted my approach to riding him and it's had a great outcome, so I'm really happy."
Strauss went first in the jump-off on Capacity, owned by Katherine Strauss, LLC, and was on track for a fast clear round, but had a rail at the last fence for a four fault score in a time of 36.150 seconds, opening the door for Hymowitz and Fineman, owned by Rose Hill Farm.
"I knew that Cloe was a very fast rider, we've both been showing at the Hampton Classic for a long time, so I knew she would be fast," said Strauss. "The beginning of the course had lots of galloping and my horse has a huge stride so that played to my advantage. I tried to put down as fast a round as I could. I had a little bad luck at the last jump."
Hymowitz had the benefit of going last and as a result of Strauss' less than perfect round, her plan was to go slow and clear. Her plan failed when she fell at the first part of the combination.
"It was my first time doing this class and I have been showing here since I was two years old, so it is intimidating," said Hymowitz. "After Katherine had the rail my plan was just to go smooth and neat and not too fast and then I think it just got to my head a little bit and unfortunately, I had a fall. My horse was amazing and tried to jump, but these things happen. You just have to learn from it and move on. I am very happy with my weekend. Even though I had a fall, it was still a positive experience for me."
Part of that positive experience included receiving the Two Trees Stables Perpetual Trophy. Hymowitz was named Amateur-Owner Jumper (High) Champion.
Strauss was the recipient of the Swan Creek Farms Perpetual Trophy as the Junior Jumper Champion by virtue of winning the $25,000 Campbell Stables Show Jumping Derby.
The Hampton Classic Horse Show runs through Sunday, September 4 at its pristine Bridgehampton, NY, venue. For this year's 41st annual edition, a fourth FEI class has been added to the schedule in addition to more than 200 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered at all levels, from leadline all the way up to grand prix. Classes are also featured for riders with disabilities.
Source: Press release from Hampton Classics / Photo (c) Shawn McMillen.