[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12956]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE HAMPTON CLASSIC HORSE SHOW

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 23, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
staple of summer life on the East End of Long Island for nearly four 
decades--the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Taking place from August 28 to 
September 4, the Hampton Classic celebrates its 36th anniversary in 
2011 as one of the nation's premier hunter/jumper horse shows and Long 
Island's prime summer social event.
  The Hampton Classic traces its roots to the earliest years of the 
twentieth century, when local equestrian enthusiasts gathered in the 
fields overlooking Lake Agawam in Southampton for the inaugural ``Horse 
Show.'' The Horse Show quickly gathered a large following among the 
East End's residents through its tenure as the Hamptons' preeminent 
celebration. Eventually interrupted by World War II, the energy behind 
the Horse Show waned during the forties and fifties, and the exhibition 
ceased operations.
  In the late 1960s, momentum gathered for a revival of the Horse Show 
to fulfill the growing interest in one of the Hamptons' favorite 
pastimes. In the early years of the revitalized Southampton Horse Show, 
the social activities surrounding the event became as popular as the 
horse jumping itself. However, in 1976, Marie-Christophe de Menil 
proposed to expand the Southampton Horse Show from a local event to 
five-day ``A'' rated event that would draw top riders and horses from 
around the country. In 1977, the Hampton Classic formally incorporated 
the Southampton Horse Show. This merger resulted in the Hampton Classic 
as it has been commonly known ever since.
  The Hampton Classic is a boon to local charities and philanthropic 
organizations across Long Island, including the Southampton Hospital, 
ASPCA, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Sag Harbor Food Pantry, 
and Bridgehampton Fire Department to name just a few. Notably, the 
Hampton Classic also hosts the finals of the Long Island Horse Show 
Series for Riders with Disabilities.
  This year, the Hampton Classic will feature approximately 1,600 
horses from around the world and will award roughly $700,000 in prizes. 
Expecting close to 50,000 over the course of the Classic, the show will 
result in millions of dollars stimulating our local economy.
  While it takes scores of dedicated staff members and sponsors to 
organize an event of this magnitude, I would be remiss if I did not 
specifically point out the contributions of Betty Knight Scripps. I 
would like to thank Ms. Scripps for her continued support of not only 
the Hampton Classic, but also for the other numerous philanthropic 
endeavors in which she participates. As co-founder of the Edward W. and 
Betty Knight Scripps Foundation with her late husband, Edward, Ms. 
Scripps is exalted on Long Island for her support of groups such as the 
American Red Cross, the Mayo Clinic, and the Thomas Jefferson 
Foundation for nearly 30 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Hampton Classic for its contributions to 
eastern Long Island. I am proud to represent and recognize this 
celebrated institution in my district, and I wish good luck to all 
organizers, riders, spectators, and sponsors as they enjoy this 
wonderful event.