The 40th year of the Hampton Classic marked an exceptional year for the Longines partnership as the Official Timekeeper and Watch of the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY. Sharing similar values of the world-class equestrian event, Longines values tradition, performance and elegance. “As I walked into the VIP tent on the left stood Equito, the iconic blue and white Longines life size horse, which was placed perfectly amidst the showroom of Longines watches and decor,” said Ashley Cline of EquestrianStylist.com.
“Longines gets ‘it’. For the longest time, the [equestrian] sport needed a push in the right direction from a global branding perspective. It needed a timeless and elegant brand like Longines to create a lifestyle that surrounds and includes the riders. It’s wonderful to watch the sport grow in a direction of poise and class that will continue to flourish from here on out. Thanks to Longines, now I believe it will happen,” explained Cline. Longines’ passion for equestrian sport dates back to 1878, when it produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Seen on the racetracks as early as 1881 and extremely popular among jockeys and horse-lovers, this model enabled its user to time performances to the seconds. It was already being used by most sport judges in New York in 1886. In addition, the brand partnered for the first time with an international show jumping event in 1912. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrian sports includes besides show-jumping flat racing and endurance competitions.
“It’s the classiest showjumping event in the United States,” explains Cline. “The Hampton Classic is one horse show where people dress well in attendance on each day of the week and it’s really refreshing. It’s one horse show where people don’t stroll around in jeans and tee shirts.” Cline grew up riding and competing at numerous ‘AA rated’ United States Equestrian Federation horse shows around the country. In addition to riding hunter jumpers, she travels the country reporting on lifestyle and fashion at many other equestrian event disciplines like horse racing, polo, steeplechase, dressage, for EquestrianStylist.com. “The other thing I found fascinating was how many people who come out just to watch the sport. The sport of showjumping is finally drawing a huge crowd here in the United States.”
Riders gathered ringside while they wait for their turn to enter the magnificent grass arena. Not only do the riders enjoy the Hampton Classic, but the horses have a real treat to trot across soft lush grass in the show ring.
On Saturday 29, Paul O’shea won the Longines Cup on Skara Glen’s Dolphin. Hayley Barnhill and Molly Ashe-Cawley came in respectively in the second and third place. Most riders ‘missed’ the oxer around the short turn closest to the audience causing a deep distance and knocking a rail. After asking their strategies to the difficult over, Paul O’shea smiled and said, “luckily my horse went for it. I felt a little stuck in the turn, but my horse saved me a bit there.” These horses are intense athletes, just like their riders and giving them credit when necessary always speaks true to great riders.
Sunday the 30th marked an impressive win by young 23 year old Karen Polle and ‘With Wings’ for the $250,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix presented by Longines. Following the big class, the Longines Rider Challenge presentation ended the excitement of the week.
A piece of advice from Karen hit many hearts at the end of the day, “I always put my horse first, no matter what. Whether it’s meetings, appointments, or anything. The horse always comes first.” explained Karen Polle. She smiled with a huge grin on her face at the end of the course which carried on into the press conference. ” Polle has style, class, and elegance making a great roll model for young equestrians. The winner of the Longines Rider Challenge, rewarded to the rider who accumulated the most points in the Open Jumper classes during the Hampton Classic Horse Show’s week, was Shane Sweetnam.
About the watch
In addition to a large monetary prize, all of the above mentioned riders received the Conquest Classic Moonphase chronograph, with a diameter of 42mm, served as the Official Watch of this year’s show. The case is available in steel, in steel and rose gold cap or in 18 carat rose gold. The black or silvered dial is set with 9 applied indices coated with Super-LumiNova® and makes an elegantly contrasting background to the moonphase display. The date is indicated by a half-moon central hand. Water-resistant to 5 bar, these models display a transparent case back through which its scintillating movement can be observed.
More About Longines:
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 140 countries.
