Bridgehampton, N.Y.-Chloe Hase, 17, a senior at Southampton High School, and Sue Marder-O'Connor, 65, a teacher at the nearby Springs School, finished in a tie for the South Fork Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the Grand Local Hunter Champion at the 40th annual Hampton Classic.

 

         Hase rode Brando, 18, to the Local Junior Hunter, Sec. B, title on her way to the grand championship. Marder-O'Connor rode Tour Guide, 18,to the L.I. Pulse Local Amateur-Owner Championship on her way to the grand championship.

 

        "We've grown so much in the last few years, and we've become so in sync with each other. It was an amazing experience for both of us. One of the best experiences we've ever had," said Hase.

"The show is really special because it's close to home, but it's a huge show that people come from all over the world to show in."

 

         "This show is really everything to us," said Marder-O'Connor, whose brother owns and runs Marder's Landscaping, which has handled the trees and other plantings on the show grounds since the show's inception. "So we're here 24/7. We define our lives by this show, so this is huge. It made my year."

 

         Marder-O'Connor has owned Tour Guide for about four years, and she considers the veteran gelding semi-retired. He spends the summers in the Hamptons and the rest of the year at Marder-O'Connor's sister's equine-retirement farm in Virginia. When Tour Guide is in town, he resides at the Wolffer Estate, a vineyard and stable that is a show sponsor.

 

         While Tour Guide is wintering in Virginia, Marder-O'Connor half-leases a horse at Wolffer Estate to ride on the weekends. Then, in June, sister Nancy Danfield brings Tour Guide north to train horse and rider for the Hampton Classic. "It's a real family affair," she said.

 

         In 2013 they won the Local Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship, and in 2014 they won the Local Hunter Classic. They'll be competing in the Adult Hunter division on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

        "I'm kind of a lifetime student of riding. Anything I can do-I practice continually," Marder-O'Connor said.

 

        Hase has been a student with trainers Mandy and Jagger Topping since she was 8. She bought Brando five years ago, when they were both 12, and "we've grown up a lot in the last five years. Now we can read each other's minds."

 

        Hase started showing in local day at the Hampton Classic shortly after she began training with the Toppings, but this was her first championship.

 

        "This really symbolizes the hard work we've done together as a team--it was like a dream to me. It's a great way to end the summer," said Hase.

 

        The other Local Day Hunter Champions were:

Junior Hunter, Sec. A: Al Pacino I, ridden by Olivia Kramer

Local Hunter (Pro), Sec. A: Quartermaster, ridden by Lainie Wimberly

Local Hunter (Pro), Sec. B: Rockford, ridden by Holly Orlando

Local Hunter (Non-Pro): Hands Down, ridden by James Henderson

Leadline: Agatha Lignelli

 

        The Hampton Classic, the prestigious culminating event of the Hamptons' famed summer season, runs August 23-30 in Bridgehampton, NY, hosting its 40th year of world-class equestrian competition. Many of the world's top jumper and hunter riders come from across the country and beyond to compete for their share of some of the richest prize money in the nation.

        The Hampton Classic features six show rings, a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer's Market, all on its 60-acre show grounds. With its top competition and pristine setting, The Hampton Classic is not just a place to see, it's also a place to be seen. Just in the last two years, A-list celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Matt Lauer, Kelly Ripa, Julianne Moore, Sofia Vergara and Mary-Kate Olsen have been in attendance.

        The Hampton Classic hosts more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered from leadline classes all the way up to the grand prix level. The Classic also has classes for riders with disabilities. The Classic culminates on Sunday, August 30, "Grand Prix Sunday," with an impressive schedule of classes including three finals - the $30,000 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $25,000 Campbell Stables Show Jumping Derby, and the $250,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix Presented by LONGINES - in the Grand Prix Ring, as well as the $10,000 Hermès Hunter Classic in the Anne Aspinall Ring.

        For those who can't make it to the show grounds, complimentary live webcasts of all Grand Prix ring classes are shown on the Hampton Classic website, produced by ShowNet and courtesy of LONGINES, the official timekeeper of the Hampton Classic. They are also shown on the USEF Network. In addition, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen on line at www.wvvh.tv.  Most of the Classic's other classes are also available on ShowNet.biz.  

         Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is available at the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com  or by calling 631-537-3177

  
Sue Marder-O'Connor (right) and Tour Guide were Co-Grand Local Hunter Champions at the 40th Annual Hampton Classic.
(McMillan photo)