IT’S 50 YEARS for the HAMPTON CLASSIC
On Sunday, August 24, the banners were in place, fences were up, the horses, even the minis, were groomed, hooves were polished and riders were polished as well and ready to go, even the ones who were 2 years old.
Those were the ones in the “Leadline” class, basically staying on the pony, sitting upright, while mommy, daddy, nana, or a friend leads it around the ring. There are ribbons. And Joe Fargis, the legendary Joe Fargis, is the judge.
If you are reading this, and don’t know who Joe Fargis is, why are you reading this?
The main reward of Leadline is that the kids are cute, their helmets are often too big, their riding costumes are mini-replicas of grown-up riding habits. Some of the kids have practiced their smiles. Others are struggling with them. The ponies have tight button braids. Everything is restrained, which is the opposite of actual childhood. Maybe that’s what the points are for.
So those moments when a little boy reaches down to pet his pony, or a mother and daughter beam at each other are special when caught by a camera. As is the sight of a tiny child leadlining her pony.
So, let’s just enjoy some of these photos, since we weren’t there on Sunday. Amid all this cuteness Joe Fargis was able to make distinctions. Here are his rankinga. Among the children between 2 and 4, he chose Peyton Fishlinger of Syosset, NY, as a winner in her class, riding Carousel’s First Steps.
Master Peyton Fishlinger on Carousel’s First Step (Kind Media)
The other first place finishers in the under 5 Leadline classes were Esmeralda Sanampudi of New York, NY, riding Sail Away; Zoe Bensimon of New York, NY, riding Batteries Not Include; and Paisley Ellerson of Flanders, NY, riding Oopsie-Daisy
In the 5- to 7-year-old classes, the first place finishers were Mackenzie Jane Mulligan of New York, NY, riding Magic Carousel; Carolyn Upward of Brookville, NY, riding Twilight’s Whisper; Sophia Wulf of Brooklyn, NY, riding Oohh Darla, and Eva Hyejung Frelinghuysen of Washington, DC, riding Sneek A Peek.
Miss Eva Frelinghuysen on Sneek a Peek (photo credit: Kind Media)
After this, let’s go on to some news about the $30,000 Wellington 1.4 meter Jumper Challenge. The winner was Brianne Goutal-Marteau, very much a local figure. WIth her husband, Romain Marteau, they have run Two Trees stable in Bridgehampton.
Not any more. Their recent real estate moves have seen them switch to buying a stable in New Jersey, which they are renovating. It is, Brianne Goutal says, only two hours from the Holland Tunnel. It is assumeed that the 115 acres in Bridgehampton will be developed.
The couple lives in Manhattan, and in the winter in Wellington, Florida.
Brianne Goutal riding in another jumping competition.
Only a week ago she retired a 19-year-old stallion, Nice de Prissey. which she called a “horse of a lifetime.” On Sunday, she rode another stallion, S & L Marlon Vd Heffinck, a chestnut Belgian warmblood she credited with having particularly long strides. Marlon Vd Heffinck, who was born in 2012, would seem to have some years ahead of him on the circuit. He is owned by S & L Farms of Wellington. This is their victory lap. See, this really is a gallop, when all four feet really are off the ground.
Hampton Classic takes place at 240 Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton. Admission is $25 a carload Tuesday through Thursday or free with the donation of three nonperishable food items for the Sag Harbor Food Pantry. There are discounts on Kids Day (Saturday) and Reserved seat tickets for the grandstand on Grand Prix Day (Sunday) are available for around $60. Make sure to buy a parking ticket ($25) online before arrival. — Linda Lee
