Hampton Classic Jumps Off Sunday in Bridgehampton

Marking the end of summer, the Hampton Classic Horse Show starts Sunday for a week's worth of equestrian competition, shopping, and fun for the entire family.

For those who are fans of the sport, you'll want to stick close to the rings. Top names in show jumping are expected to take to the field, including Kent Farrington, who won the FTI Grand Prix last year on Voyeur, and Olympic Gold Medalists Joe Fargis, Beezie Madden and McLain Ward, who has won the Classic’s featured Grand Prix a record six times. Madden is the reigning FEI World Cup Champion.

For a complete time schedule, click here.

The Boutique Garden and Stable Row are packed with all types of shopping — 70 vendors to be exact. Alex and Ani, Der Dau, Hermès, Americana Manhasset, pucci Manuli, and Wellington & Company Equestrian Antiques, just to name a few.

While shopping, you're sure to work of an appetite and there's a food court to satisfy your stomach.

Opening Day activities include a book signing with Jayne M. Silberman, author of "In the Herd: A Photographic Journey with the Chincoteague Ponies and Assateague Horses" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poceeds from the sale of the book benefiting the ASPCA Equine Fund.

You'll notice WPPB 88.3 FM broadcasting live, and Wölffer Estate will host a sampling of their wines in the Lugano Diamonds VIP Lounge.

Over at the Kids Area, the Long Island Livestock Co. will be there all week (except Monday) with llamas, alpaca, sheep, goats and Pansey the pig. Kids can also get some energy out playing ping pong. Opening Day activities include cookie decorating with Citarella.

General admission is $10 per person (kids under 6 are free) or $20 per carload. Seniors get in free Tuesday through Thursday.

There's a break in the competition on Monday, but the grounds will be far from quiet and there is no admission fee.

The Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities Championships, held at the Classic for the past eight year, takes place on Monday with three divisions — one for riders requiring the assistance of a leader, one for riders requiring a spotter at the beginner independent level, and one for more advanced independent riders.

The fourth annual ASPCA Adoption Day also takes place Monday featuring local rescue groups, such as the Southampton Animal Shelter and the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons. Jill Rappaport, NBC's award-winning animal advocate and bestselling author, and ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal will host. There will be a live, interactive program with adoptable horses and horse rescue groups in the Anne Aspinall Ring from noon to 2 p.m.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, a car-load of people can enter the grounds for free if they bring three or more items to donate to the Sag Harbor Food Pantry.

Tuesday's special activities include a reading with author John Caine at noon, and a visit with the Wolf Conservation Center's Atka the wolf at 11 a.m.

On Wednesday, the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center with read stories focused on people from around the world throughout the day.

Delete Blood Cancer will be on hand to collect donor information for DBC's bone marrow registry on Thursday and Friday. The Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons will present birds of prey in the Kids Area both days, as well.

Stony Brook Children's Hospital will be on-site Friday with entertaining and educational activities for children, too.

Saturday is Optimum Kids Day — so there's a whole host of activities focused on the young at heart. Plus, kids get in free on Saturday. Performances by the Grammy-nominated Children's band the Pop-Ups and Bellini Family Circus are scheduled. There will also be face painting and airbrush tattoos, crafts with the Children's Museum of the East End, the Amazing Zola, and a presentation from the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons. Free pony rides are available for children under 12.

Artist JD Miller of Samuel Lynne Galleries, founder of the Reflectionist School, will demonstrate his painting techniques in the Lugano Diamonds VIP Lounge on Saturday.

The $250,000 FTI Consulting Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier is, of course, the focus of Sunday, Sept. 1. It serves as a qualifying competition for the 2014 Longines FEI World Cup Final in Lyon, France next April.

Reserved seats for the Grand Prix are $25 per person for bench seats in the grandstands (in addition to admission) or $35 per person for premium center-section grandstand seating.