Celebrating 51 years of world-class equestrian competition in Bridgehampton, NY, the Hampton Classic features FEI CSI5* and CSI2* show jumping and USEF Premier hunter competitions with more than $1 million in prize money, August 23-30.

Sweetnam was a full second faster than second-place finisher Nayel Nassar (EGY), crossing the timers in 42.88 seconds with his and Voquest LLC’s 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding for the win. Nassar’s time of 43.89 seconds aboard Crislin Van Den Bosrand Z (Carambole x Nabab de Reve), the 9-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Evergate Stables LLC with whom he took second in Thursday’s $32,000 BrainJuice CSI5* Two-Phase, ultimately held on for second place.

Third went to Mexico’s Tanimara Maria Macari Carrillo and Quenala T (Qualito I x Coronado I), Rupert Winkelmann’s 10-year-old Hanoverian mare. Although the pair were faster than Sweetnam and Coriaan over the initial course, they returned over the shortened track with a time of 44.93 seconds. 

“Coriaan naturally is a very fast horse,” Sweetnam said. “I’d seen Nayel go, and I knew I had to be at least that quick with a couple of fast riders coming after me; Jordan (Coyle) and Daniel (Bluman) still had to go as well. I knew I had to take every chance I could. I got a good rhythm at the start of the course, and I took every chance we had, and he really responded and stayed with me. It worked out well for us today. It was a bit of an awkward jump-off where the horses had to be sharp, looking for the next jump, so luckily for me, my horse was in that zone.

“Tomorrow, I’m jumping Pia Maria H (Kasanova de la Pomme x Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve), who’s been developing in Europe all summer,” he added. “She’s very talented – definitely talented enough to win the Grand Prix. Experienced enough to win it is another question, but we are not going to know unless we do it. I’m very hopeful.” 

After their winning performance in Friday’s $116,100 Douglas Elliman CSI5* Grand Prix Qualifier, World #12 McLain Ward (USA) and Robin Parsky’s 13-year-old Oldenburg mare First Lady (Don Diarado x Lordanos) returned for fourth place in Saturday’s competition (4/42.73). World #6 Daniel Bluman (ISR) rounded out the top five with Hummer Z (Harley VDL x Hemmingway), Abigail Wexner’s 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (4/43.43). 

Nassar maintains his lead in the $20,000 Longines Rider Challenge for the 5* division with 320 points. Ward has moved into second with 240 points. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) sits third with 194 points. The $30,000 Longines Rider Challenges will be awarded as two separate bonuses for the FEI 5* and 2* divisions following the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix and $70,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix on Sunday.

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