Hampton Classic Won't Start Until Wednesday

After announcing Thursday that Sunday's planned in light of , Hampton Classic organizers now say the 36th annual equestrian event won't get its start until Wednesday.

The delay is due to the need to take down all the tents and horse stalls, and then reconstruct them after the storm passes, organizers said. "All competition originally scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, and some of the competitions originally scheduled for Sunday’s opening day, will be rescheduled for later in the week."

Horses will be allowed onto the grounds on Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton starting Tuesday at noon; vendors and boutiques may begin setting up then.

"Our conversations with the National Weather Service and the town of Southampton's head of emergency management have made it clear to us that we need to be prepared for hurricane force winds," said Shanette Barth Cohen, executive director of the Hampton Classic. "On a positive note, the weather forecast for the rest of the week looks beautiful."

The ASPCA Adoption Day, which was scheduled for Monday, will not be held. Instead, the Hampton Classic and ASPCA are working on developing a virtual adoption day on the event's website.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show will run through Sept. 4, and will culminate with the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix.