Candice King Reigns Supreme in $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix at the 29th Annual Hampton Classic.

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y. -- Candice King reigned supreme at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, winning the $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix on Friday, September 3, in Bridgehampton, NY.

From a starting field of 46 contenders, King was one of only four riders to master the challenging test set by course designer Conrad Homfeld of Bridgehampton, NY. King had the good fortune of being the final rider to challenge the shortened jump-off course, and was able to go clear in a time of 38.35 seconds to take over the lead from Sydney Olympian Laura Kraut, who had posted a time of 38.97 seconds as the first rider on course.

"I just tried to stick to my plan," explained King of her strategy riding Camillo V, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by the Camillo Group. "I competed with Laura all spring on the Super League Tour in Europe, and I know Laura is always fast with that horse even when she is not trying."

Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI, finished as the runner-up with Miss Independent, a seven-year-old grey mare owned by Pasmore Stables, while Schuyler Riley of Wellington, FL, also jumped clear, but exceeded the predetermined 44 second time allowed to incur one time fault riding Nottingham, a nine-year-old bay gelding owned by South Beach Stables.

Peter Pletcher of Magnolia, TX, was the only other rider to advance to the jump-off, but incurred eight faults riding Alex Dillard's Charmed to place fourth.

The $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix determines which 30 horses will contest Sunday's $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix. Competitors may only ride one horse in Sunday's main event, giving some of the riders, including King who also placed 18th riding Coco Cabana, the choice of which horse to ride. However, as the order of go is determined by their placing on Friday, choosing a different horse would mean that King would gave up the coveted position of being the last to go.

"I am going to see how they both feel and make my choice," said King, 34. "Even though Camillo won today, the class took a lot out of him. I would rather ride the one that is going to perform better, not which one is in the better position."

The $30,000 Adequan Grand Prix was also the opening event in the U.S. World Cup Eastern League, which determines the show jumping riders who will represent the United States at the 2005 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, NV, from April 20-24.

Each year the Hampton Classic Horse Show attracts more than 50,000 spectators and celebrities to watch the country's best horses and riders compete. Saturday is jam-packed with equestrian action including the $20,000 5-Year-Old and $30,000 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the seventh annual $10,000 Calving Klein Jeans Equitation Championship, the $15,000 WGHR Farm Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and the $25,000 Sally Hansen Grand Prix, as well as the Pony Hunter Classic.

One of the nation's premier show jumping competitions, the Hampton Classic boasts jam-packed social events and equestrian competitions from August 29 to September 5, culminating with Sunday's $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand Prix. With boutiques, on-site restaurants and a wide variety of displays and activities, there is fun for the whole family.

Admission is $10 per person or $20 per carload, with children under six admitted free. Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday, September 5, is $15 per person (in addition to regular admission) or $25 per person in the special Premium Seating center sections. Parking is free throughout the week. Hampton Classic proceeds benefit Southampton Hospital. For the first time, live coverage of the 2004 Hampton Classic Horse Show can be viewed on-line at www.wvvh.tv

For more information on the Hampton Classic, please visit www.hamptonclassic.com or call [phone].