-full video w pics and more via: www.YouTube.com/@TalkingHorses/videos
The 2024 Hampton Classic Grand Prix was anticipated to be one of the most thrilling show jumping competitions of the year. Fresh off multiple international Olympic riders having challenged each other in Paris, they are now facing off once again in another significant contest. Eight Olympic riders were in Bridgehampton, Long Island, New York in pursuit of the high honors of winning the prestigious 5 star Grand Prix, sponsored by Longines with total purse money of $400,000 dollars.
40 Riders competed in the first Grand Prix round, with 8 riders progressing to the second- round jump-off, after having had faultless rides. Only the first and second place riders in round 2 were faultless. The final placement was 1st going to Rene Dittmer of Germany aboard his horse Corsica X. He was half a second faster than the second place USA finisher Mimi Gochman aboard her horse Inclen BH. Alex Matz, also a USA rider, finished 3rd with 4 faults riding his horse Ikigai. The remaining order of the Grand Prix finish was Shane Sweetnam 4th, Nayel Nassar 5th, McLain Ward 6th, Darragh Kenny 7th, Jordan Coyle 8th, Carly Anthony 9th, and Georgina Bloomberg 10th. There was a formal Awards presentation in the arena immediately after completion of the competition. And there was the ceremonial Winner’s Lap taken by Rene Dittmer aboard Corsica X. This was all followed by the traditional Press Conference after the Winner’s Lap.
Prior to the Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix, the Classic honored eight riders who represented their countries in this summer’s Paris Olympic Games as part of the Grand Prix opening ceremonies: Daniel Bluman (ISR), Mario Deslauriers (CAN), Thaisa Erwin (AUS), Kent Farrington (USA), Darragh Kenny (IRL). Nayel Nasser (EGY), Shane Sweetnam (IRL), and McLain Ward (USA).
Dittmer said, “My horse was unbelievable this week. She jumped five clear rounds and didn’t have a rail down all week. I tried to go faster without being too crazy. I knew Jordan (Coyle) and McLain (Ward) were coming after me, so I had to do what I could to make them chase the time. It worked because if McLain had gone clear, he would’ve been faster and won. Today went in my favor, and it really is just unbelievable.”
Enjoy. DrB aka HorseDoc(R)

The $1.25 Million Dollar Travers Stakes Festival at Saratoga Racetrack marks their lucrative mid-summer Derby. The weekend draws the countries’ best horses and showcases Saratoga’s most prestigious races. Many of the winners earn an automatic entry into the prominent Breeders’ Cup Races scheduled for the first weekend in November at California’s beautiful Del Mar Racetrack. We followed the 4 most likely finishers who did just that. We captured the race’s spectacular ending at the finish wire. First, however, we explored some of the sights and sounds of the historic Saratoga town and its track. That days weather, scenery and the competition was marvelous. The video version has many more visual moments that can’t be completely appreciated in the Podcast version. Great recap of the Travers' Raceday including local sights and sounds and surprise guest HOF 1978 Triple Crown Affirmed jockey Steve Cauthen. Visuals best appreciate on video. Full video listing via https://www.youtube.com/lihorsedoc/videos

Finish wire battle between Fierceness and Thorpedo Anna. Sierra Leone also in tight pursuit. Photo via
ACoglianese-NYRA(c)

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Dr. Gregory Beroza

HamptonClassic, #Horseshow, #GrandPrix, #Equestrian, #DanielBlumen, #AdreinneSternlicht, #KentFarrington, #MarioDeslauriers, #McLainWard, #KarlCook, #JessicaSpringsteen, #NayelNassar, #JoeFargis, #Longines, #HorseDoc, #TalkingHorses**