74
SIDELINESMAGAZINE | September 2026
Familiar Places, Familiar Faces
The Hampton Classic With
Dennis Suskind and Emily Aspinall
HORSE SHOW
The Hampton Classic Horse Show has been a fixture on
the East End of Long Island for more than five decades,
growing from a local horse show into one of the country’s
premier hunter/jumper competitions. Known for attracting
many of the sport’s top athletes to Bridgehampton, New
York, each summer, the Hampton Classic has become
one of the most anticipated stops on the show calendar,
blending elite competition with a community tradition that
continues to draw generations of exhibitors, volunteers
and spectators back year after year.
Behind that tradition are the people whose dedication
has helped shape the event over the years, including
Dennis Suskind and Emily Aspinall—both of whom are
passing the torch this year. Dennis, who got involved
with horses because he and his wife were looking for
something to do with their son and began taking lessons
with Alvin and Patsy Topping, has served as president
since 1991. Emily, who rode as a kid and then got back into
horses through her sister as an adult, has been involved
with the show since 1978, including serving on the board
of directors and as vice president.
Through their leadership, commitment and countless
hours behind the scenes, both have helped ensure the
Hampton Classic continues to thrive while preserving the
character and sense of community that have made it a
beloved fixture in the equestrian world.
How did you become involved
with the Hampton Classic?
Dennis: I was competing at the Classic, and
something happened—I can’t remember just
what—that bothered me. I went into the horse
show office and mentioned it to Tony Hitchcock,
who was the executive director at the time. I had
never met Tony, but I told him I was bothered
about something and knew it wasn’t the right time
to take up his time with a complaint. I said I’d
come back after the show to discuss it. I came back
and met with him and a friend of mine, Dianna
Brennan, who was on the board at the time.
Dianna said, “If you think you can do it better, then
join the board.” So, I did. That was in 1987.
Emily: My sister was already involved. A friend
and I made some souvenirs for the horse show
for the first time in 1978, some T-shirts and stuff.
That was the first thing I did for the horse show.
My role developed from there—I was asked to be
on the board, and I just helped here and there.
Then the person who was in charge of trophies
and ribbons wanted to retire, so I took that over
as a volunteer at first. That’s how I got into more
of the nitty-gritty of the horse show. Then Tony
Hitchcock asked me if I would come on and take
over the finances because he knew I had the skills
required to do that from running a tack shop.
What do you like most about your
role with the Hampton Classic?
Dennis: I love that the Classic combines a truly
community event with world-class competition.
I’m very proud of many things we’ve accomplished,
but probably most of all that we started the
riding-with-disabilities program in 2006.
Emily: It’s hard because it’s so time-focused: It’s
very quiet for most of the year, and then all of
a sudden it’s like you’re in a hurricane. So that’s
difficult, but I like the people I work with. The
same people have been there for a long time, so
you form a team, and I get a kick out of pulling
off what’s a very complicated and difficult
event—hopefully without any catastrophe.
What are a few of the biggest changes
in the Classic since you started?
Dennis: Among many, the biggest changes are
those that impact safety for horses and riders.
We now have free-span tenting for our stabling
areas, riders must wear helmets at all times,
we’ve upgraded our footing, and we continue
to make changes, big and small, every year. Our
aim is always to be better and better, and it’s
something that I believe we have continually
succeeded in doing.
Emily: It was quite local when I first got
involved. There were local barns and local
people more involved. Now it’s much more
national, and even international, than it was
when I started, with people from all over the
country and all over the world.
Hampton Classic Vice President Emily
Aspinall and President Dennis Suskind have
both been with the show for decades.
Photo by Pennington