Bluman Reclaims the Title in the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix
Nassar Wins the $78,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix
Only two horse-and-rider combinations made it to the jump-off of the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix on Sunday: 2018 World Equestrian Games Team Gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and two-time Olympic veteran Daniel Bluman (ISR).
In the end, only Bluman finished on a double-clear score, claiming the Hampton Classic Grand Prix title for the second time aboard his 2022 FEI World Championship and 2023 FEI World Cup Finals mount, Ladriano Z. Bluman is now one of four riders to have won the Grand Prix on three occasions, having topped the field in 2017 with Ladriano Z and 2021 with Gemma W.
One of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, the annual Hampton Classic features competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
Prior to the Grand Prix, World #5 ranked show jumper McLain Ward (USA) presented the legendary 17-year-old Belgian mare HH Azur to the competition ring for the last time. Ward announced “Annie’s” retirement earlier this summer following an eight-year partnership that spanned 25 FEI Grand Prix wins at the 4* and 5* levels. Among her many accolades, Annie helped Ward secure the Team Silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, Gold at the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, and Team Silver at the 2017 FEI Nations Cup Final.
“She always had a real regal way about her, which is why I call her the queen,” Ward said. “I’ve been lucky enough to have some great top horses. She’s in the top two or three at the very least; one could even argue that she’s the best. I’m very privileged to have gotten this time with her.”
Immediately after Ward, Annie, and their friends and family retired from the ring, the first of 40 starters representing 12 countries challenged Alan Wade’s $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix course. The highly technical track featured 17 jumping efforts set at 1.60m, and spectators watched with bated breath as the first 30 riders racked up faults around the ring.
Sternlicht was the first to successfully complete the task aboard Starlight Farms 1 LLC’s 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Faquitol-S. Bluman wasn’t far behind with the 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding he co-owns with Blue Star Investments and Over The Top Stables LLC, guaranteeing the crowd a jump-off.
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