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Hampton Classic Horse Show 2026: Dates, Grand Prix and What to Know
The Hampton Classic returns to Bridgehampton Aug. 23-30 with eight days of world-class riding, more than $1 million in prize money, shopping, Kids Day, celebrity sightings and the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic Grand Prix.
For many in the Hamptons, summer doesn’t really end until the final horse clears the final jump at the Hampton Classic Horse Show.
The annual equestrian tradition returns to Bridgehampton Aug. 23-30, bringing some of the world’s top horses and riders — along with a sizable Hamptons crowd — to the 60-acre showgrounds on Snake Hollow Road for eight days of competition, shopping, family activities and one of the East End’s great people-watching scenes.
Now in its 51st year, the Hampton Classic features more than 200 competitions in six show rings, FEI 2* and 5* show jumping, USEF Premier hunter competition and more than $1 million in prize money. Approximately 50,000 spectators attend each year, according to organizers.
The Classic also has a longstanding connection to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, its official community partner. The relationship dates to 1977, and the Hampton Classic has contributed more than $2 million to the hospital over the years, while continuing to provide annual financial and in-kind support.
And while serious equestrian sport is at the center of it all, the Classic has long been much more than a horse show. The grounds become their own end-of-summer village, with more than 70 vendors in the Agneta Currey Boutique Garden, dining, children’s activities and a crowd that ranges from devoted horse people to families, fashion insiders and famous faces.
Photo by Angela LaGreca
In recent years, Robert Downey Jr., Jimmy Fallon, Robert De Niro, Mariska Hargitay, Bobby Flay, Sofia Vergara, Donna Karan, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Julianne Moore, Jane Seymour, Billy Joel, Brooke Shields and Bruce Springsteen have all been spotted at the Classic.
Here’s what to put on the calendar.
Sunday, Aug. 23: Opening Day and Local Day
Opening Sunday has a distinctly local flavor, with many competitions reserved for horses based on Long Island — earning it the longtime nickname Local Day.
One of the day’s most charming traditions is the Leadline, featuring children ages 2 to 7 aboard ponies and judged this year by three-time Olympic medalist Joe Fargis.
The competition gets considerably bigger with the $30,000 1.40m Jumper Challenge, which this year benefits the Kevin Babington Foundation, supporting show jumping athletes who have sustained spinal cord and related injuries.
Also on the schedule:
- $10,000 Marders Local Hunter Derby
- Long Island Sportsmanship Award
- Shinnecock Nation exhibition
- Cookie decorating with Citarella
Monday, Aug. 24: Riders With Disabilities Finals and Animal Adoption Day
Monday brings one of the Classic’s most meaningful traditions: the 20th anniversary of the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities Finals, presented by Dime Commercial Bank.
The series gives riders with disabilities the opportunity to compete in USEF-rated hunter/jumper shows and concludes with its year-end finals at the Hampton Classic.
Monday is also the annual Animal Adoption Day, when rescue organizations bring dogs, cats and other adoptable animals to the Kids Area from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Adoptable and rescued horses take over the Aspinall Ring from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Among the participating organizations are ARF Hamptons and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, along with numerous dog, cat and equine rescue groups.
Bonus: General admission is free Monday.
Tuesday, Aug. 25: Jumpers Take the Ring
The competition builds Tuesday with the $10,000 Stomp Capital 1.40m Open Jumper.
Tuesday through Thursday also come with an admission perk: seniors, veterans and current members of the military receive free admission. Visitors who bring three or more nonperishable food items for the Sag Harbor Food Pantry also receive free admission.
Wednesday, Aug. 26: National Grand Prix
Wednesday raises the stakes with the $40,000 1.45m National Grand Prix, as the Classic heads toward four days of major international competition.
Thursday, Aug. 27: FEI Competition Begins
This is when the international action kicks into gear.
FEI competition begins Thursday with the $5,000 Citarella Open Jumper CSI2* and $32,000 BrainJuice CSI5*, launching a weekend of seven 2* and 5* classes.
Also Thursday: the $10,000 Hunt & Go Stake presented by The Baran.
Courses for the FEI competition will be designed by Nick Granat of the United States and Anderson Lima of Brazil.
Friday, Aug. 28: Grand Prix Qualifiers
Friday is one of the week’s major competition days, with riders looking toward Sunday’s finale.
The schedule includes:
$32,000 Wölffer Estate 2 Grand Prix Qualifier*
$116,100 Douglas Elliman 5 Grand Prix Qualifier*
$10,000 Harrods Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake
The 5* qualifier is one of the biggest purses of the week before Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Saturday, Aug. 29: Kids Day and Five-Star Competition
Saturday mixes serious riding with one of the best days for families.
Kids Day brings additional children’s activities to the showgrounds, joining the Classic’s regular pony rides, petting zoo animals and hands-on activities.
In the ring, Saturday’s highlights include the $62,500 5 Winning Round* and $10,000 Hermès Equitation Championship.
And by Saturday, the people-watching tends to become a sport of its own.
Sunday, Aug. 30: Grand Prix Sunday
This is the finale — and one of the signature days of the Hamptons summer.
The morning begins with major Junior and Amateur competition, including the $30,000 Agneta & Brownlee Currey 1.45m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic and $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic.
Then come the two Grand Prix events:
10:30 a.m. — $70,000 Hampton Classic 2 Grand Prix*
2 p.m. — $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5 Grand Prix*
The 5* Grand Prix is the week’s marquee competition, bringing top riders and horses into the Grand Prix Ring as the VIP tents fill for the Classic’s biggest social afternoon.
The $30,000 Longines Rider Challenges will also be awarded Sunday, with a $10,000 bonus for the leading 2* rider and $20,000 for the leading 5* rider.
Reserved grandstand tickets are required to watch the two Grand Prix classes from the grandstands on Sunday.
Beyond the Horses
Even if you can’t tell a hunter from a jumper, there is plenty to do.
The Agneta Currey Boutique Garden and Stable Row turn the Classic into a serious shopping destination, with more than 70 vendors, while food, children’s activities, pony rides and the petting zoo make it easy to spend several hours — or the better part of a day — on the grounds.
And then there is the crowd.
The Hampton Classic has always occupied its own particular place on the East End calendar: part elite equestrian competition, part family tradition, part shopping destination and part Hamptons social scene.
By Grand Prix Sunday, the riding is world-class, the VIP tents are packed and summer is unmistakably nearing the finish line.
Hampton Classic Horse Show 2026: What to Know
When: Sunday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 30
Where: Hampton Classic Horse Show, 240 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton
Gates: Open at 8 a.m. daily
General admission: $25 per carload for parking; Monday admission is free. Special free-admission offers are available Tuesday through Thursday for seniors, veterans, active military members and visitors bringing qualifying food-pantry donations.
Grand Prix Sunday: Sunday, Aug. 30; reserved grandstand tickets are required for the 10:30 a.m. 2* Grand Prix and 2 p.m. $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix.
More information and tickets: Hampton Classic Horse Show hamptonclassic.com
