Hampton Classic Expanding Environmental Efforts

Partnering with Green Is the New Blue to Help Reduce Carbon Hoofprint

From Marty Bauman

The Hampton Classic, one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious horse shows, returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 29-September 5 for the 45^th edition. The Classic has long been at the forefront of environmental responsibility with some of its previous efforts, such as purchasing equipment for its manure removal company to strain out inorganic materials discarded in manure bins so manure and shavings can be composted and added back into the soil at farms in the local area. Additionally, the trash removal company the Hampton Classic utilizes sends all trash to a sorting facility, ensuring recyclable items are recycled.

This year, the Classic is joining forces with Green Is the New Blue, a non-profit organization that strives to reduce the environmental impact of horse shows for a more sustainable sport, on a number of environmental initiatives including:

1. Green Is the New Blue’s Living Jump will be used in the Anne Aspinall Ring. The jump features vegetation native to Long Island’s East End. Following the horse show, the Living Jump’s flora will be planted on the Hampton Classic show grounds to support the local ecosystem.
2. The Classic is also introducing paperless ticketing for Grand Prix Sunday.
3. Green Is the New Blue is providing a muslin VIP pouch which will be utilized to hold the VIP pins for both Opening Day and week-long VIP table patrons, replacing plastic bags used previously. Green Is the New Blue is also providing the VIP wristbands for Grand Prix Sunday made out of fabric, thus reducing single use plastic.
4. Green Is the New Blue and the Hampton Classic are partnering for a sustainable shopping experience in Agneta Currey Boutique Garden. Green Is the New Blue is providing the Hampton Classic Souvenir Shop’s “shopper bag” which is given to any customer spending $250 or more and is also available for purchase.
5. Green Is the New Blue is bringing its initiative of a “Plastic-Free Ingate” to every competition arena by providing bamboo cups with “not a tree” written on them.
6. Green Is the New Blue is providing bilingual signage at the Classic’s Mane ‘n Tail spa stations to remind exhibitors and grooms to save water by turning off hoses when not in use.

“Green Is the New Blue has been a driving force in helping horse shows reduce their environmental impact,” said Shanette Barth Cohen, Hampton Classic Executive Director. “The Hampton Classic endorses their efforts and we are proud to join forces with them to help bring about a greener tomorrow for everyone!”

Further information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show is available at the Hampton Classic website: www.hamptonclassic.com.

More information on Green Is the New Blue, and on ways to help make horse shows more environmentally conscious and sustainable, is available at www.greenisthenewblue.org.