DAN'S PAPERS ARTICLE:

“The Ride For Hope” Equestrian AIDS Foundation Benefit

Retiring Executive Directors Tony Hitchcock and Jean Lindgren will be honored for their three decades of leadership and dedication to the Hampton Classic Horse Show at a special benefit for «The Ride for Hope» and Equestrian Aids Foundation.

Melissa Cohn and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Puris will host the «cabaret» benefit, August 31 at the Bridgehampton Racquet & Surf Club.

Acclaimed Broadway star Deborah Cox will be the featured performer on the «cabaret stage» for the evening benefit. Ms. Cox, who is best known for her outstanding performance in the musical hit «Aida,» will present a program ranging from well-known

Broadway show tunes to her inimitable stylized versions of jazz and blues standards. SHOW CIRCUIT MAGAZINE has arranged for Ms. Cox to make this special appearance as part of «The Ride for Hope» tribute to Hitchcock and Lindgren.

«The Ride for Hope is very pleased to host this special evening as part of the Hampton Classic's 30 th anniversary,» said R. Scot Evans, vice president of the Equestrian AIDS Foundation and producer of the benefit evening. «Without a doubt these are two of the most important people in our equestrian family. For the past 30 years, they have nurtured and managed the Classic, and have created what is truly the “Crown Jewel” of the American show jumping circuit.»

«While Jean and I didn't really want any farewell parties, we are happy to participate in this one because it is a benefit for such an important cause,» Hitchcock said. «We don't for one second think that the Hampton Classic could have become what it is today without the contributions of dozens if not hundreds of people and it will be nice to take one night during the craziness of the Classic to say thank you to all our friends.»

When the Hampton Classic started in 1976 Hitchcock and Lindgren were hired to oversee the catering. Eventually they assumed the roles of Executive Directors and since then, that small horse show at Dune Alpin Farm in East Hampton has grown into one of the largest Hunter/Jumper horse shows in the United States. Now located in Bridgehampton, the show annually attracts over 1400 competitors and 50,000 spectators including VIPS and celebrities from the worlds of the arts, entertainment and business. Today, the Classic is widely regarded as a major highlight, «a must» of the summer social and sporting season in the Hamptons. As Tony Hitchcock is fond of saying, «……it's the perfect end to the perfect summer in the Hamptons! »

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«On behalf of “The Ride for Hope”™ and The Equestrian AIDS Foundation I want to especially thank Melissa Cohn and Mary and Martin Puris for chairing this celebration for our beloved Tony and Jean,» stated R Scot Evans. «A very special ‘thank you' to Ms. Karin Reid Offield for her generous support and to our guest performer Deborah Cox, her stylist Wayne Scot Lukas and Show Circuit Magazine, many thanks for being a part of this evening. This event would not have been possible without our friends Christopher Robbins and Ken Wolfe of Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs at the Bridgehampton Racquet & Surf Club, Bill Bohn of BG Graphics, Michael Cinque and Amagansett Wine & Spirits, as well as Hamptons Magazine & Finlandia Vodka, Southampton Limousine and all of our major donors for helping us create an evening that will truly be a worthy tribute to these two very special people.»

To order tickets for the August 31 celebration honoring Tony Hitchcock and Jean Lindgren, complete details are available at www.equestrianaidsfoundation.org/events.html or call 800-792-6068. Orders can be faxed to 631 537 5443