For Immediate Release

Contact: Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810, classic.pr@verizon.net
             Courtney Boova, (802) 362-9023

Kelly Adds Her Name to List of Champions at Vermont Summer Festival

East Dorset, VT—July 12, 2003— Fifteen-year-old, Carolyn Kelly of New York, New York, earned Champion honors in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Division at the Manchester Summer Festival, July 9-13, the first week of the Vermont Summer Festival, July 9-August 10, at the Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. Kelly rode her Kalimea to second, third, and fifth place finishes over the course of two days to earn the Championship. This win marks Kelly’s biggest win to date with the mare, who she imported from Germany only six months ago. “She’s really sweet, and she’s really quiet,” Kelly said of her mount. After the Manchester Classic, the pair will travel to Europe for three weeks to compete in the 1.35 Jumper Division at competitions in Holland and Germany. Not only did Kelly have success in the jumper ring at the Manchester Classic, but on July 11 she was awarded Reserve Champion honors in the Large Junior Hunter Division for riders fifteen years of age and younger behind Champion Nikko Ritter and Raldeka Z.

Kelly earned this tri-color ribbon aboard Kontikki. The chestnut, gelding, who was originally imported from Europe as a grand prix jumper for her trainer Ken Berkley, placed fourth in the 2002 $35,000 Vermont Grand Prix at the Vermont Summer Festival. “He does anything,” laughed Kelly. “He’s also very playful.”

Ashley Millspaugh of Caudia, NH aboard Smart Alec won the NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic, a highlighted event in the Grand Prix ring. Millspaugh was one of only four horse-and-rider combinations, out of a starting field of nineteen, to qualify to ride in the jump-off. David Nausch aboard Aragon finished in second place.

The Manchester Summer Festival also crowned adult hunter champions. Kym Smith of Southampton, NY rode her Enrique to Championship honors in the Adult Amateur Hunter Division for riders 18-35 years of age. Anne Braswell of Ocala, FL rode her Mistletoe to win the tri-color ribbon in the Adult Amateur Hunter Division for riders ages 36-45, and local rider Krietta Phillips of Waitsfield, VT piloted her Just Remarkable to win the Adult Amateur Hunter Division for riders ages 46 and over.

The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest “AA” rated hunter/jumper horse show. This year’s event includes five USET-recognized $35,000 Grand Prix to be held on the last day of each show and five $10,000 Mini Prix to be held on the Friday of each show. Each of the five weeks also features a $10,000 Show Jumping Hall Of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series which determines which junior and amateur/owner riders will qualify to ride at the 2003 National Horse Show.

                                                                Previous        ###      Next