ASPCA Hosts Adoption Event for Local Rescued Animals At 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

NEW YORK—For the fifth consecutive year, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) will sponsor the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, held in Bridgehampton, N.Y., from Sunday, August 28 to Sunday, September 4, 2011.

On Monday, August 29, the ASPCA will host its second Adoption Day at the Classic, made possible in part by Seraphim 12 Foundation, and will focus on the issue of homeless and at-risk horses, dogs and cats. Four local animal shelters and five local horse rescue groups will have animals on site. Celebrity hosts for this event include ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors and top international riders Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal, “Today” correspondent and best-selling author Jill Rappaport, and actress and ASPCA supporter Aida Turturro. Jacque Schultz, ASPCA equine grants officer, will address how the ASPCA Equine Fund helps rescues and sanctuaries across the country sustain their life-saving programs.

“While we are proud to celebrate the tradition of excellence in humane and responsible horsemanship during this world class horse show, we also are mindful of all the at-risk horses that are not so lucky,” said Valerie Angeli, senior director of equine and special projects for the ASPCA. “Having recently celebrated our 145th anniversary this spring, the ASPCA has had a deep-rooted commitment to promoting equine welfare and rescue efforts since the mid-19th century. Together with the equestrian community, this event gives us a wonderful opportunity to honor these noble and hardworking animals.”

Other highlights during the week-long event include the presentation of the ASPCA Maclay Award with ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Assistant Director Joseph Pentangelo, which takes place on Friday, September 2. The prestigious ASPCA Maclay Championship was established in 1933 by former ASPCA board member and horseman Alfred B. Maclay to encourage junior riders to excel in the art of responsible and humane horsemanship. It is the most coveted award in the U.S. for junior riders under 18 years of age.

Visiting animal-loving celebrities and top riders, including Ms. Bloomberg and Ms. Goutal, will make appearances throughout the week at the “ASPCA Patio” located near VIP parking and across from the public grandstand of the Grand Prix Ring (please see schedule included below).

“It’s an honor to be a voice for animals and serve as an equine welfare ambassador for the ASPCA,” said Ms. Bloomberg. “The ASPCA is an inspiration for so many in the fight against animal cruelty, and through my volunteer work, I am learning so much and realize that now more than ever, these animals need our help.”

The Hampton Classic is one of the country’s largest and most prestigious horse shows and draws many of the world’s top horses and champion riders. For more information on the Hampton Classic, please visit www.aspca.org/horse or www.hamptonclassic.com.

Schedule of ASPCA Events/Expert Appearances at the 36th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show

Sunday, August 28:

• 11-2 p.m. (ASPCA Patio) – Book signing and meet & greet with Elizabeth Letts, author of The Eighty Dollar Champion: A Horse, A Man, and the Dream That Inspired A Nation, and legendary rider and trainer Harry de Leyer. The Eighty Dollar Champion is the true story of a horse rescued from slaughter that became a legend.
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. (ASPCA Patio) – Meet ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal, who will be on hand to sign autographs and talk about their equestrian careers and how they team up with the ASPCA to help horses.

Monday, August 29:

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. – The ASPCA Patio will be open.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – The second ASPCA Adoption Day at the Hampton Classic will feature local dog, cat and horse rescue groups with animals up for adoption. The event will feature VIP hosts Jill Rappaport from “Today,” actress Aida Turturro, and Ms. Bloomberg and Ms. Goutal.
  • Participating dog and cat rescue groups include: Suffolk County SPCA, ARF of Southampton, The Little Shelter, and Southampton Animal Shelter.
  • Participating horse rescue groups include: Kaeli Kramer Foundation, Project Sage Horse Rescue, Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard and Horse Rescue, Rerun, Inc. Thoroughbred Rescue, and Seraphim 12 Foundation. Rescued and rehabilitated horses also will be on hand for demonstrations.
  • Training demonstrations also will take place. Adoptable dogs and cats will be available in the Kids/Exhibition area across from the ASPCA Patio, while adoptable horses will be available in Hunter Ring 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesday, August 30 and Wednesday, August 30:

• Please visit the ASPCA Patio for schedule information.

Thursday, September 1:

• 1:30-3:30 p.m. (ASPCA Chalet at the north side of the Grand Prix Arena) – The ASPCA will hold a ‘Champagne for Horses’ party and Equine Welfare Experts Discussion brought to you by NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Liveable and Safe Streets), Seraphim 12 Foundation and Louis Roederer Champagne. This event is by invitation only and space is limited. For information on how to obtain an invitation, please contact the ASPCA’s Valerie Angeli via email at [email protected].

Friday, September 2:

• 11 a.m. (Hunter Ring) – ASPCA Maclay Award Presentation with ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement assistant director Joseph Pentangelo.
• 12-3 p.m. (ASPCA Patio) – Learn more about Team ASPCA, the ASPCA's new endurance and fundraising program. Those interested can sign up and take part in a training session led by a professional trainer and Ms. Bloomberg, who will give the first 50 people to come by a free Team ASPCA T-shirt.

Saturday, September 3:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (ASPCA Patio) – Get the new ASPCA Benefit Set from Breyer with a rescued horse, dog and cat, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the ASPCA. Georgina Bloomberg will be on hand to autograph the Breyer Horses.

Sunday, September 4:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (ASPCA Patio) – Meet & greet with Officer Joseph Pentangelo, assistant director of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement, who will be on hand to answer questions about animal welfare and how to report animal cruelty and neglect.

Throughout the week:

• ‘ASPCA VIP Rider’ lapel pins and ‘Horses on Sticks’ will be available at the ASPCA Patio for a donation, with proceeds benefitting the ASPCA Equine Fund.

The ‘Jump for the ASPCA’ fundraiser, sponsored by FTI, will trigger a donation to the ASPCA each time a rider clears the ASPCA fence on the show grounds.