Victoria’s Secrets: A Classic Week and More

As the media sponsor of the world class event, the Hampton Classic, one of the largest outdoor jumping horse shows in the United States, Dan’s Papers was given a table for 14 each day. It was held in Bridgehampton for a week from Aug. 29 to Sept. 5.

Lucky for me, for five gloriously sunny and warm summer days, I got to host a remarkable group of extraordinary people. Top equestrians from around the world compete for more than $800,000 in prize money.

The competitors are adults and children vying in more than 200 competitions. Remarkably, 1,500 gorgeous stately horses are entered in the four decade-long competition.

The setting is two arenas for the horse jumping surrounded by open air buildings overlooking the competition. My table was ringside in the Grand Prix Tent, which allowed me to see the graceful horses and riders jump just feet from my seat.

I’m proud to report my doctor, Perry Frankel, my late husband’s partner’s daughter Madison Frankel won a ribbon! Her proud mom Roseanne has traveled with her to competitions across the country.

But it’s not just the horses and the beautiful people attending. There is a shopping “mall” filled with 80 boutiques featuring items from around the world. I had so much fun “window” shopping in the small stalls and even found a woman whose shop I’d been to in my previous Classic visits. Once again I acquired one of her alpaca wool dresses made in Peru.

But back to my favorite sport at the Classic: People watching and celebrity sightings.

The best meeting of the week was speaking with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his partner Diana Taylor there to watch his daughter Georgina jump. There was also Woody Johnson, Donna Karan, Howard Lorber, Enzo Morabito, Brooke Shields, Robert Chaloner,Kevin O’Connor, Stuart Lubow, as well as North Fork leaders Jonathan Tibett, Vincent Guastamacchia, Stacey Soloviev and Joseph Petrocelli, along with other titans of industry and the entertainment world.

What a wonderful way to end my first summer as the co-owner — with my son Josh — of Dan’s Papers.