Press release from Hampton Classic Horse Show

Americans swept the podium in Friday’s $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier presented by Longines at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, which saw only six clear rounds from a field of 45 entries representing 14 nations. Of the three riders who returned over the shortened jump-off track, Jimmy Torano led the way with his winning time of 41.99 seconds aboard Chewbacca HCC.

The Hampton Classic, August 27-September 3, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.

Spectators glimpsed an impressive field of entries aiming for Sunday’s $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix as they competed over Friday’s 16-effort, 1.60m course designed by Alan Wade for the $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier presented by Longines. Torano ultimately claimed top honors with the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Isalou Inc. and Jet Equestrian Group LLC, tripping the timers in 41.99 seconds, a blazing 3.8 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Brianne Goutal-Marteau (USA). 

“With Carly (Anthony) going first and having a rail down, Brianne played it very safe, which opened the door for me,” Torano said. “Going last put me in the driver’s seat. I was very quick through the first part of the course and felt like I’d done enough, then really took it easy going over the last two jumps.

“My horse has a big scope,” he added. “He’s very careful and has a lot of ability. The rollback to the Hermès oxer (in the first round) was difficult for sure – it wasn’t a wide jump, but I think a lot of people may have underestimated it and touched the back rail. Going so late in the order, I overrode it a little, and my horse just jumped fantastic. I feel great going into Sunday’s Grand Prix. This horse won the Thursday qualifier and Sunday grand prix back-to-back at Lake Placid, and it would be great to do that again here.” 

Goutal-Marteau posted the only other double-clear time in 45.79 seconds to earn second aboard S&L Marlon VD Heffinck, S&L Farms’ 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion. Jump-off pathfinder Carly Anthony (USA) finished third with Portfolio Horses LLC’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Heavenly W on a four-fault score.

Three horse-and-rider combinations went clear over the initial course but elected not to return for the jump-off: Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Ladriano Z (0/70.51), Devin Ryan (USA) and Eddie Blue (0/71.08), and Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve(0/71.87).

Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) and Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) maintain first and second place in the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge with 215 points and 206 points, respectively. Anthony has moved into third with 170 points. The Challenge, which awards $30,000 and a Longines watch to the rider accumulating the most points in the week’s Open Jumper classes, will be awarded Sunday following the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix.