The Hampton Classic Horse Show has been a fixture on the East End of Long Island for more than five decades, growing from a local horse show into one of the country's premier hunter/jumper competitions. Known for attracting many of the sport's top athletes to Bridgehampton, New York, each summer, the Hampton Classic has become one of the most anticipated stops on the show calendar, blending elite competition with a community tradition that continues to draw generations of exhibitors, volunteers and spectators back year after year.
Behind that tradition are the people whose dedication has helped shape the event over the years, including Dennis Suskind and Emily Aspinall—both of whom are passing the torch this year. Dennis, who got involved with horses because he and his wife were looking for something to do with their son and began taking lessons with Alvin and Patsy Topping, has served as president since 1991. Emily, who rode as a kid and then got back into horses through her sister as an adult, has been involved with the show since 1978, including serving on the board of directors and as vice president.
Through their leadership, commitment and countless hours behind the scenes, both have helped ensure the Hampton Classic continues to thrive while preserving the character and sense of community that have made it a beloved fixture in the equestrian world.
Dennis: I was competing at the Classic, and something happened—I can’t remember just what—that bothered me. I went into the horse show office and mentioned it to Tony Hitchcock, who was the executive director at the time. I had never met Tony, but I told him I was bothered about something and knew it wasn’t the right time to take up his time with a complaint. I said I’d come back after the show to discuss it. I came back and met with him and a friend of mine, Dianna Brennan, who was on the board at the time. Dianna said, “If you think you can do it better, then join the board.” So, I did. That was in 1987.
Emily: My sister was already involved. A friend and I made some souvenirs for the horse show for the first time in 1978, some T-shirts and stuff. That was the first thing I did for the horse show. My role developed from there—I was asked to be on the board, and I just helped here and there. Then the person who was in charge of trophies and ribbons wanted to retire, so I took that over as a volunteer at first. That's how I got into more of the nitty-gritty of the horse show. Then Tony Hitchcock asked me if I would come on and take over the finances because he knew I had the skills required to do that from running a tack shop.
Dennis: I love that the Classic combines a truly community event with world-class competition. I’m very proud of many things we’ve accomplished, but probably most of all that we started the riding-with-disabilities program in 2006.
Emily: It's hard because it's so time-focused: It's very quiet for most of the year, and then all of a sudden it's like you're in a hurricane. So that's difficult, but I like the people I work with. The same people have been there for a long time, so you form a team, and I get a kick out of pulling off what's a very complicated and difficult event—hopefully without any catastrophe.
Dennis: Among many, the biggest changes are those that impact safety for horses and riders. We now have free-span tenting for our stabling areas, riders must wear helmets at all times, we've upgraded our footing, and we continue to make changes, big and small, every year. Our aim is always to be better and better, and it’s something that I believe we have continually succeeded in doing.
Emily: It was quite local when I first got involved. There were local barns and local people more involved. Now it's much more national, and even international, than it was when I started, with people from all over the country and all over the world.
Dennis: Good weather, and I’ve been spending a lot of energy making sure that'll be the case—ha! But seriously, every year I look forward to the "reunion" with exhibitors, table patrons, sponsors, officials and workers whom I don't typically see the rest of the year. Seeing so many good friends is probably what I enjoy most about being involved in the horse show.
Emily: Not having to work as hard! I've trained somebody to take over the finances, and she's been great. She's terrific. She doesn't need my help anymore. She sat with me for a year so she had a good, long runway to learn what was what, and she's taken over. I also just retired from doing the trophies, but my whole crew is coming back, and they know the ropes so I don't think there'll be any problem.
Dennis: Some of my favorite memories include watching my children and wife compete at the show. Also, surviving dismantling the show grounds and putting it back together in very little time because of hurricanes—twice!
Emily: It’s hard to say specifically, but there are many people I’m very fond of, both people who have come and gone and the staff who has stuck around for many, many years. It's a team, and I'll miss that aspect. I'll be there this year—I'm not doing anything, but I'll be there helping out where I can on a volunteer basis, and so will Dennis.
Emily: Well, I'm old, so I like to do “not much!” I have a dog, so I’ll go on walks, and I’ll probably volunteer someplace else—I don’t know where yet, I have several possibilities.
Dennis: I'm proud of my daughter, who has her own business, Silver Tide Stables. My favorite pony in her barn is Lolli Pop.
Emily: Being a part of that team and managing somehow to pull it off every year without anything that couldn't be managed. There's always a problem—you can't have an event like that without problems—but it's been a great team, and I've enjoyed being a part of it. I don't think I've made any catastrophic mistakes, so I'm proud of that. Somebody else might differ with me on that, but I don't think so! And I wish the new team all the luck.
PHOTOS
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Hampton Classic Vice President Emily Aspinall and President Dennis Suskind have both been with the show for decades.Photo by Pennington
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