Hampton Classic Horse Show Welcomes Longines as New Partner
Famed Watchmaker Signs Long-Lasting Agreement
Bridgehampton, NY—July 29, 2013—The Hampton Classic Horse Show is excited to welcome Longines as a major partner. The Classic returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 25 – September 1, for its 38th year of world-class equestrian competition, shopping and entertainment.
The Hampton Classic features more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages. In addition to its Grand Prix and open jumper classes featuring Olympic medalists and other Grand Prix veterans, the Classic features a wide range of jumper, hunter, equitation, short stirrup and leadline classes, as well as competitions for riders with disabilities. The highlight is the $250,000 FTI Consulting Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier on Sunday, September 1 which serves as a qualifying competition for the 2014 Longines FEI World Cup Final in Lyon, France next April.
Longines, which has signed a long-lasting partnership agreement with the Classic, is assuming title partnership of the Classic’s Saturday afternoon Grand Prix, the $40,000 Longines Cup, and presenting partnership of Friday afternoon’s $50,000 Spy Coast Farm/Young Horse Show Series Grand Prix Qualifier.
With the new support from Longines, the Longines Cup is now an FEI-recognized class. This means that, with Friday’s $50,000 Spy Coast Farm/Young Horse Show Series Grand Prix Qualifier Presented by Longines, Saturday’s $40,000 Longines Cup and Sunday’s $250,000 FTI Consulting Grand Prix and FEI World Cup™ Qualifier, the Classic now offers an FEI-recognized Grand Prix on three consecutive days!
As an added bonus, Longines’ partnership also includes the initiation of the new Longines Rider Challenge that will award $30,000 to the rider who accumulates the most points in the horse show’s Open Jumper division.
“We are so excited to welcome Longines to the Hampton Classic’s family of sponsors,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, the horse show’s Executive Director. “Through its commitments to the FEI and other major entities like the Global Champions Tour, Longines has established itself as one of the world’s biggest supporters of equestrian sports and we are thrilled that they have chosen to include the Hampton Classic in this elite group.”
The Hampton Classic features 6 show rings, a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options, all on its 60-acre show grounds. The Classic's world-class equestrian competition attracts many of the nation's top professional and amateur riders, and its Hamptons charm and schedule of family attractions make it the perfect destination for anybody looking to add some style to their summer.
Mr. Walter von Känel, President of Longines, said: “Longines is very proud to be the Official Watch and the Official Timekeeper of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Longines and the Hampton Classic Horse Show share a very strong tradition and values such as performance and elegance.”
Earlier this year, Longines began a major partnership with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) that involves a number of major rights packages, including the FEI World Rider Rankings for Jumping, known today as the Longines Rankings, and official timekeeper of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ and of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018 and 2022. Additionally, Longines is the title partner of the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping and of the FEI World Endurance Championships in 2016 and 2020. Longines will also support an FEI television magazine program.
A key element of its partnership with the FEI is a significant investment by Longines in the development, together with the FEI, of cutting-edge timekeeping and data-handling services, including the related technology, specifically for equestrian sport. The development of these services will be for multimedia applications use, giant screens, scoreboards, and for broadcasters as part of the presentation of FEI events around the world. Consistent with this, Longines will be the Official Timekeeper and will be provide timing services for the Hampton Classic.
Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is available at the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or by calling 631-537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.
About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier (SUI) since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations.
Longines has established a network of links with the world of sport timekeeping which has enabled it to offer its skilled services to various prestigious sports during the 20th century. Today, it follows its vocation in the field of sports timing, namely in gymnastics, archery, alpine skiing, equestrian sports and at the French Open at Roland-Garros.
Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a horse and jockey engraved on the watch face. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with equestrian sports. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for an international show jumping competition. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes Jumping, Endurance and Flat Racing.
Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. The brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.
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