August 17, 2010--For the fourth consecutive year, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) will sponsor the 35th Hampton Classic Horse Show, held in Bridgehampton, N.Y., from Sunday, August 29 to Sunday, September 5.

On Monday, August 30, the ASPCA will host its first annual Adoption Day at the Classic focusing on the issue of homeless horses at risk. Four local animal shelters and four local horse rescue groups will have rescued animals available for adoption. Celebrity VIP Hosts for this event include Georgina Bloomberg, top rider and the ASPCA’s Equine Welfare Ambassador; and Jill Rappaport, “Today” show animal welfare correspondent and best-selling author. Top riders and medalists such as Brianne Goutal will also be stopping by to meet and ride a rescued horse. Dr. Emily Weiss, the ASPCA’s Animal Behaviorist, will present her interactive equine behavior workshop, “How to Think Like a Horse.” Other ASPCA resident experts, such as Dr. Pamela Corey, Director of Equine Veterinary Services, will be on hand to answer equine health and wellness questions, and Jacque Schultz, ASPCA Equine Grants Officer, will address how the ASPCA Equine Fund helps rescues and sanctuaries across the country sustain their lifesaving programs. In addition, there will be a special appearance by Warriors Way, a former racehorse who now enjoys a successful career as a winning show horse.

“We are proud to support the tradition of excellence in humane and responsible horsemanship,” said Valerie Angeli, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Equine Events. “The ASPCA has a deep-rooted commitment to promote equine welfare and rescue efforts since the mid-19th century, and this event gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these noble and hardworking animals together with the equestrian community.”

Other highlights during the week-long event include the presentation of the ASPCA Maclay Award with ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres and Humane Law Enforcement Assistant Director Joseph Pentangelo. 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 will make appearances at the “ASPCA Patio” located near VIP parking and across from the public grandstand of the Grand Prix Ring (please see schedule included below). For more information on the Hampton Classic, please visit www.aspca.org/horse or www.hamptonclassic.com.

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 riders, including Olympic, World Cup, and World Championship veterans.

Schedule of ASPCA Events/Expert Appearances at the 35th Hampton Classic Horse Show

Sunday, August 29:

· Between 12:00-1:00pm (Grand Prix Ring) - Parade of Adoptable Horses, featuring horses from a local rescue group.

· 11:00am-1:00pm (ASPCA Patio) - “Ask the Behaviorist” with Dr. Emily Weiss, ASPCA Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Dr. Weiss will answer questions on animal behavior.

· 11:00am-1:00pm (ASPCA Patio) - “Ask the Horse Vet” with Dr. Pamela Corey, ASPCA Director of Equine Veterinary Services. Dr. Corey will answer questions on equine health and wellness.

Monday, August 30:

· 1:00-4:00pm (Hunter Ring 1) - ASPCA Adoption Day with VIP Hosts, Jill Rappaport, Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal. Meet rescued horses available for adoption from four local rescue groups. Dogs and cats from four local animal shelters will also be present with adoptable animals. See top riders, Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal, take the rescued horses for a "test drive"

· 1:00-4:00pm (Hunter Ring 1) - “Ask the Horse Vet” with Dr. Pamela Corey, ASPCA Director of Equine Veterinary Services.

· 1:00-4:00pm (Hunter Ring 1) - Q&A session with Jacque Schultz, ASPCA Equine Grants Officer. Jacque will talk about the ASPCA Equine Fund and how it helps rescues and sanctuaries across the country.

· 3:00-4:00pm (Hunter Ring 1) - Dr. Emily Weiss, ASPCA Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, will present her interactive equine behavior workshop "How to Think Like a Horse - Harnessing the Power of Positive Reinforcement" with top riders Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal.

Tuesday, August 31:

Please check the schedule at the ASPCA Patio

Wednesday, September 1:

· 1:00-2:00pm and 3:00-4:00pm (ASPCA Patio)

Meet and Greet Top, World Class Rider and Silver Medalist, Peter Leone. Get autographed copies of his new equestrian DVD with part of the proceeds benefitting the ASPCA Equine Fund. Enjoy tunes by the band Aeroplanepageant (aeroplanepageant.com) who will play live near the ASPCA Patio during Peter Leone's visit.

Thursday, September 2:

· 11:00am-12:00pm (ASPCA Patio) - Meet and greet top rider and ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassador, Georgina Bloomberg. Georgina will talk about what people can do to help horses and all animals; she will participate in a live online chat with ASPCA supporters and horse lovers.

Friday, September 3:

· Late morning (Hunter Ring III) - Ed Sayres, ASPCA President and CEO, and Joe Pentangelo, Assistant Director of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement, will present the ASPCA Maclay Trophy.

Saturday, September 4:

Please check the schedule at the ASPCA Patio

Sunday, September 5:

· 2:00pm (Grand Prix Ring) - Jump for the ASPCA, top riders will have the opportunity to clear the ASPCA jump to raise funds to help horses at risk, sponsored by FTI.

Throughout the week at the ASPCA Patio:

· “Have Joe with Joe” meet and greet with Officer Joe Pentangelo, courtesy of Hampton Coffee Company. For a donation of $20 or more to the ASPCA Equine Fund, donors will receive an “Officer Joe” mug, a pound of Hampton Coffee, and a set of miniature handcuffs keychain.

· Lifesaving “ASPCA I Love Horses VIP Rider's Lapel Pins” will be available for purchase -- see top rider's wearing the new 2010 pin and get one at the ASPCA Patio and help save horses!

About the ASPCA®

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

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