Hurricane Irene postponed the start of this year’s 36th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, but by Sunday afternoon, the schedule resumed with guests gathering to view the Championship jumping event at the annual luncheon gala in the trackside tent.
As always there were notable people watching. Mayor Bloomberg and Diana Taylor are regular attendees, and this year we also saw Matt Lauer and Nina Griscom. Bill Cunningham was seen scouting notable dresses and photographing fancy hats. Many of the ladies were taking advantage of the last chance to wear white before Labor Day.
Every year hostesses and designers outdo themselves creating lovely table settings. This year Hamptons Cottages & Gardens judged and selected three winners. We chose from among the following displays:
Horse and Harness Themes
Harness, horses, and tack gear make logical themes. This year’s examples ranged from a giant horse head bust gracing East End Redi Mix, to galloping topiaries featured by Richard Schaeffer. The ASPCA orange-theme setting included a coffee table book on Wild Horses. Swan Creek’s design was based on a flowerpot jump, and Warren Stables decorated with riding crops and plates painted with tack and harness. Working with black and white and yellows, Bridgehampton Florist incorporated a horse-print fabric and gray plates picturing painted horses.
►click to view images of horse and harness themed tables
Floral
Some tables centered on gorgeous bouquets and unusual floral arrangements. The Wolffer Estate Vineyards’ was a mass of pink amaryllis, and Prudential’s three tables were a field of asters. Focused on monochrome hyacinth, the Bloomberg tables were a vision of “blue-berg.” David Youman featured bowls of giant succulents, a motif paired with black and white striped ribbon at our own Hamptons Cottages and Gardens station. Natural grasses which bobbed in the breeze blowing through the tent added beauty and motion to the tables of the Topping Riding Club.
►click to view images of floral themed tables
Commercial
Company themes and logos were logical starting points for tables sponsored by business firms. Louis Roederer featured bottles of It’s Pink champagne. Each guest at Pilatus Aircraft received a stuffed horse wearing a company T-shirt. Nespresso, with a coffee machine at each place setting received third prize status from the Cottages & Gardens judges.
►click to view images of commercial themed tables
Inventive and Lovely
Some designers eschewed obvious themes, simply making lovely statements. Blue and white pottery was a motif for Leats, who covered the table with a gorgeous mass of blossoms and crockery. Rockafellow/Lopez-Baldea used decorative tangines in a Moroccan themed table, and Rechler Equity’s setting was a mass of orange and pink flowers and candies. Southampton Hospital set a serene table in soothing green and white, while Patty Raynes’ guests dined with giant gingham checks and crudities.
►click to view images of inventive and lovely themed tables
The Judging
Hamptons Cottages Editor Kendell Cronstrom came early to survey the scene and manage judging. Besides Third Place to Nespresso, we awarded second place to the extravagant cheese and fruit exhibit with wire lanterns designed by Steven Gambrel for Firefly Farm. “Best of Show” winner was Marsia Holzer, with two tables featuring horse head figurines and an enthusiastic rider mounted on a rattan horse.
