This year’s Hampton Classic brought a mix of all things East End. The week was filled with equestrians and horse enthusiasts, along with art, fashion, celebrities, palate-pleasing cuisine and children’s activities. There were vendors from nearby as well as those who’d traveled a good distance. They were there for the Classic, now in its 48th year and with roots that date back to the early 1900s.
Elegant dining tables, adorned with linens and flowers, lined a VIP tent for Hampton Classic corporate platinum sponsors, including the Bloomberg family, ConnectOne Bank, Longines, Douglas Elliman Real Estate and many more.
People were ready to build relationships and support community.
“It’s a great event for us because it involves a lot of local businesses and local charities,” said Kevin Santacroce, Long Island market president of ConnectOne, which had a VIP table. “It’s good exposure for the bank to be here.”
The event, which this year ran from Aug. 25 through Sept. 1, offered a feast for the senses. Designers had opportunity to showcase their latest lines. Onlookers could enjoy a glass of Summer in A Bottle from nearby Wölffer Estate Vineyard, all while enjoying the equestrian competition.
“The Hampton Classic is not only a world-renowned annual sporting event right here on Long Island, but also provides an economic jolt to small businesses in our local communities,” said Matt Cohen, president and CEO of Long Island Association, the region’s largest business organization.
The immediate economic impact of the Hampton Classic is approximated at $13.6 million. That figure, from the Hampton Classic, takes into consideration spending from both participants and spectators alike and covers such factors as tickets, parking, programs, vendor items, gas, lodging, restaurants, shopping and other expenditures.
Competitors hailed from across the United States, as well as Canada and abroad. It included “up-and-coming riders,” Olympic veterans and medalists along with World Cup and World Championship riders, organizers said.
Event highlights boast local flair, including the $10,000 Citarella 2* Open Jumper, $39,000 Wölffer Estate 2* Jumper Classic and the $78,000 Douglas Elliman 5* Grand Prix Qualifier. The grand finale of the week was the $425,000 Longines Hampton Classic Grand Prix.
Many of the sponsors have deep roots with the Hampton Classic. Consider, for example, Stony Brook Medicine, a healthcare system that continues to expand access to care throughout the North and South Forks.
Children’s Hospital at the kids’ tent
engaged families in fun activities. Photo by Alexis Rae Photo
As the event “continues to grow, we’re proud of our longstanding association with the Hampton Classic to bring together individuals, families and communities in a safe environment,” said Dr. Hal Paz, executive vice president for Health Sciences of Stony Brook University, and CEO of Stony Brook University Medicine.
“Since 2006, Stony Brook Medicine has been providing emergency services to ensure the well-being of Hampton Classic participants and attendees,” Paz said.
This year, Paz said, a child-life specialist from Stony Brook Children’s Hospital was in the kids’ tent “on opening day to engage families in fun activities. In addition, The Southampton Hospital Foundation, Inc. is grateful to be a beneficiary of the Hampton Classic for 50 years and appreciates all those who support this major event and its legacy.”
On grand opening day, ConnectOne had made a $4,000 donation to The Equus Foundation, which is dedicated to the housing and care of horses throughout the country.
The charity “protects the horses after they’re done with the prime of their career,” Santacroce said. Giving to the charity, which is supported by Hampton Classic, was a good fit for the bank. Frank Sorrentino, ConnectOne’s founder and chairman, who has a home in Sag Harbor, “is very committed to the community,” Santacroce said.
During the week, Santacroce and his team were at the VIP tent, “to entertain prospects and customers,” he said. “It’s a chance to spend three or four hours with someone. You get to learn a little bit about their business, their interests and ways that our bank can potentially help them.”
The bank’s participation was also focused on spreading the word about ConnectOne on Long Island, he said. The bank first opened on Long Island about four-and-a-half years ago in Melville, and has since opened a loan production office in East Hampton. “A lot of people don’t know about the bank – it’s really an opportunity” to build awareness, he said.
Also building awareness were vendors from surrounding communities as well as from Wellington, Florida, home to the Winter Equestrian Festival and ESP Annual Series. Callidae was there from Los Angeles, as was Eques Pante from Durango, Colorado.
And from Goucester, Massachusettes, representatives from Cometeer, were there to build buzz about its specialty coffee. Among the offerings were hot, iced and lattes. “We’re here to help expand our market to a new area,” said Will Florentino, a coffee sales associate for the company.
Besides Gloucester, the brand is in New York City and southern California, he said. Being on Long Island, “especially in the Hamptons, gives us access to a wonderful market.”
Cometeer associates spent the week serving up samples of its precision-brewed, flash-frozen brew, and to favorable reviews from people, including those who returned for seconds. The company works with specialty roasters, 12 in United States and one in London.
The company had rented a home for the week, and the experience was “good for bonding – it’s great for business,” Florentino said, adding that he appreciated the chance to work while also spending time in the Hamptons.
Santacroce was glad to share the Hampton Classic setting with his guests, while informing the region about the bank and its offerings.
“You have the traditional means of marketing,” he said. “But then there’s also that idea of providing an experience. This is an experience that people may or may not be able to take advantage of. They really enjoy it.”
c
Adina Genn
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