Krista Freundlich Wins Hampton Classic Derby Welcome Stake at the 2002 Hampton Classic Horse Show

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY— August 30, 2002 — Krista Freundlich of Locust, NJ, rode away the winner of the $7,500 Hampton Classic Derby Welcome Stake at the 27th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY.

Open to Junior riders age 18 and under and Amateur-Owner riders, Junior competitor Freundlich topped the field of 42 horse-and-rider combinations. Spectators waited until almost the very end to get their winner when Freundlich and her horse, Laurin, posted a clear round and crossed the finish line in a time of 72.56 seconds.

Freundlich, who trains with Frank Madden in Colts Neck, NJ, recently competed at the 2002 North American Young Riders’ Championships in Old Mill Creek, IL, with much success.

Second place went to Andrew Ramsay of Oakland, CA, and Lisa, who clocked in at 74.17 seconds while New York’s Kristy McCormack placed third with Marga. McCormack’s original time of 72.30 seconds would have won the class, but a rail down at the eighth fence cost her a five-second time penalty.

The $7,5000 Hampton Classic Derby Welcome Stake acts as a qualifier for Sunday’s $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby. The top thirty riders advance to the Derby, where they will ride in the reverse order of their placing in the Stake, giving the advantage on Sunday to Freundlich.

The $1,000 Groom’s class offered fun as opposed to serious competition. Unique to the Hampton Classic, the class gives the hard-working individuals who care for the horses full-time outside the ring an opportunity to compete while being cheered on by their employers, friends and fellow grooms.

Martin Ochoa was the big winner, collecting $300 in prize money for his performance aboard the 10-year-old Aspen, owned by Stephanie Riggio, who had won a class at the Hampton Classic with Aspen earlier in the day.

Grooms are judged in two phases, firstly on the presentation of their horses and knowledge of their care. Grooms then mount their horses and walk and trot and are also allowed to canter for bonus points.

“The best part was the canter!” said Ochoa, a native of Mexico who has worked for Meadowview Stables in the Hamptons for three and a half years. “I get to ride him about once a month. And I can jump him, too!”

Jesus Valdivia, who placed second with Pine Hollow Stables’ Ciao, had braided his horse’s mane with the colors of green, white and red to celebrate his Mexican heritage. Third place went to Victor Briseno and Aguila, a horse who normally shows in the grand prix ring with owner Jimmy Torano.

The Hampton Classic is one of the nation’s premier show jumping competitions. Many of the world’s best equestrians are competing for more than $250,000 in prize money during the Classic, which benefits the Southampton Hospital. Each day of the show is devoted to special events and social activities, culminating with the $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix on Sunday, September 1.

Other featured show jumping events during the Hampton Classic include the $15,000 W.G.H.R. Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix, the $50,000 Eastern Finals of the Young Jumper Championships, and the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby for riders under the age of 21.

In addition to the competition, spectators will be treated to a variety of other exciting exhibits including the Boutique Garden’s numerous vendor booths, Stable Row’s 20 booths, three on-site public restaurants, and an Exhibition Horse/Children’s area open throughout the week.

The Hampton Classic continues through Sunday, September 1. Admission is $5 per person or $15 per carload per day, with children under 6 admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 1, is $15 per person (in addition to $5/person or $15/carload admission) or $25 per person for premium front-row seating. Parking throughout the show is free.

For more information, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call 631-537-3177.

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