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Hampton Classic Horse Show Set to Return This Summer

Thu, 03/11/2021 - 09:46
Georgina Bloomberg competing at the 2018 Hampton Classic
Durell Godfrey

As of now, the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton is on for the summer. 

"Well, of course we don't exactly know what it will look like this year, but we have been developing plans to handle most any type of situation," said Marty Bauman, the show's communications director, who was quite certain that "the horse situation" allowed for social distancing. 

Horse shows got suspended last March, he said, but some started up again in July under strict protocols and have shown ways to make it work. There's the usual — distancing and masks — as well as, in particular, "keeping under control how many horses are in the warm-up area at the same time and when they leave the barn," Mr. Bauman said.

Prepandemic, it would be a couple of people with a horse at once — a rider and a groom — and horses would be closer together than six feet.

Mr. Bauman hopes for "more people protocol" and said whatever capacity and procedures are the norm come summer will be what the Hampton Classic will work with in submitting a plan for local and state government approval. 

The Classic is part of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, which has yet to allow spectators at horse shows. Mr. Bauman said his team anticipates that will change but cannot do anything without the federation's approval.

"Right now, our plans are all systems go, but we recognize that anything could still change. But the feeling is hopefully things will change for the better."

 


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