The Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, has selected Michel Vaillancourt as its new Course Designer for Grand Prix ring classes.
Now in its 43rd year, the world-class show returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 26 – September 2, when it will again host the best horses and riders from across the nation and around the world, including Olympic veterans from several countries, who will be competing for some of the country’s richest prize money.
Shanette Barth Cohen, the horse show’s Executive Director, commented, “We are thrilled that Michel Vaillancourt will be joining us as Course Designer at the Hampton Classic this year. He is highly respected by the world’s top riders for building challenging and fair courses, and he brings a unique perspective as a former international competitor himself.”
Vaillancourt is an FEI Level 4 course designer who designs courses at top international competitions around the globe. Originally from Quebec, Canada, and now based in Aiken, SC, Vaillancourt was the Course Designer at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto where his courses received rave reviews from the competitors. He succeeds Alan Wade of Ireland who has stepped down to focus on his role as Course Designer for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ being held in Tryon, North Carolina shortly after the Hampton Classic. Continuing the Classic’s legacy of world-class course designers, Wade had followed Guilherme Jorge, Course Designer for the 2016 Olympic Games, and Conrad Homfeld, Course Designer for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.
Vaillancourt made history when, at just 22 years of age, he became the youngest rider, and first Canadian rider, to win an individual Olympic medal in show jumping when he won the individual Silver at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Vaillancourt was also part of the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games, bringing home team Bronze and Silver medals, respectively. He also helped Canada win team Gold at the 1980 Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. In 2009, Vaillancourt was inducted into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame and he was honored as the 2016 Jump Canada Official of the Year.
One of the largest outdoor horse shows in the U.S., the world-class Hampton Classic is a premier destination for many of the world’s best show jumping riders vying for top prize money and titles. The show features six show rings, a high-end Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options, all on its 60-acre spectacular show grounds. The show hosts more than 200 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered ranging from leadline classes all the way up to the grand prix show jumping. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
As a culminating summer event on the famed Long Island social scene, the Classic is renowned as a celebrity hot-spot, as many A-listers including Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Jerry Seinfeld, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Sofia Vergara, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Julianne Moore and Michael Bloomberg have been spotted on the sidelines watching the thrilling competition.
For more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.
More from Horse Sport:
