As summer winds down up North, premier equestrian events across the East Coast are shifting gears—and locations. The Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, the Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut, and the Hamptons Polo in Bridgehampton are wrapping up their seasonal runs in the Northeast and preparing to head south to Florida for the winter circuit.
Each of these iconic institutions traditionally runs through the late summer or early fall in the Northeast before players, horses, and support crews migrate to warmer climates. For instance, Greenwich Polo Club’s season typically stretches from June through September. The Hampton Classic Winter-oriented jumpers likewise wrap up in early September. With the move to Florida imminent, the equestrian industry in the East is bracing for both the seasonal change in venue and the economic ripple effects.
The equestrian sector is far more than a niche sport—it’s a powerful economic engine. In New York State alone, the industry contributes around $7 billion annually and supports over 52,000 jobs. Nationally, the American Horse Council’s 2023 study places the total value of the U.S. horse industry at roughly $177 billion, with around 2.2 million jobs linked directly or indirectly. Meanwhile, the Hampton Classic estimates its event-week economic impact at about $95.2 million in the local community, according to its own calculation.
The migration south is more than just calendar logistics—it underscores the interconnectedness of East Coast equestrian hubs and sun-belt winter circuits. Greenwich players often begin their season in Florida (in Wellington and the surrounding region) before heading north for summer-turf events. As the season closes at these Northeastern venues, service industries in those communities—hotels, stabling, feed suppliers, farriers, vendors, restaurants—see a shift in demand. Conversely, Florida’s equestrian economy picks up the pace.
For the Northeast hosts, the departure signals a temporary slowdown: spectator attendance declines, vendor activity recedes, and ancillary spending drops until the next spring. For Florida, however, it means a surge—horses and teams arriving, local businesses gearing up to accommodate the influx, tournaments ramping up, and tourism‐driven hospitality gains.
Organizers at all three venues emphasize the importance of transition. The Hampton Classic, for example, has donated more than $2 million in support of local charities since 1977 and utilizes its event platform to anchor community commerce. Greenwich and Hamptons Polo similarly open their fields to global-level competition and seasonal high-goal play, drawing attention and out-of-state spending during their active months.
As this year’s summer season draws to an end, participants, sponsors, and spectators alike will follow the horses south—moving from the leafy green lawns of New York and Connecticut to the palm-lined paddocks of Florida. The transition isn’t just about warmer weather—it’s about sustaining a multibillion-dollar industry that spans states, seasons, and communities.