For Immediate Release

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

Phillips Wins $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix Presented by Hand Motors

Jonathan Phillips savoring his first $35,000 Grand Prix win on board Prins.

East Dorset, VT—July 20, 2003— Jonathan Phillips of Potomac, MD rode Prins, owned by Jonathan and Jeffrey Phillips, to win the $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix Presented by Hand Motors at the Manchester Classic Horse Show, July 16-20, the second week of the five-week-long Vermont Summer Festival, July 9-August 10, at the Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

After turning in what were described by his trainer, Jimmy Torano, as “two picture perfect rounds,” Phillips topped the five horse-and-rider combinations who qualified for the jump-off. He earned his first Grand Prix win with a fault free jump-off round in a time of 45.289 seconds.

“It felt amazing,” Phillips said of his performance in the day’s highlighted event.

Jimmy Torano of Fort Lauderdale, FL earned second place behind his student. Torano was the only other rider in the jump-off to post a clear round. However, Torano, aboard Gibson, owned by Sir Ruly Inc, had a slightly slower time of 48.206 seconds. “It was nice beating the trainer,” Phillips said with a laugh.

“I was happy with my horse. I got lucky in the jump-off. I really hit that vertical hard.” Torano said of his own round. “And if I’m going to be second, it mine as well be someone from my barn.”

Danielle Torano, winner of the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Cavalier.

Earlier in the day, Jimmy’s wife Danielle Torano of Fort Lauderdale, FL earned the top two places in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Presented by Nutraceutical International Inc. The only rider to turn in clear rides in the jump-off, Torano took home the blue ribbon with Cavalier, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc.

After Jimmy gave up the ride on Cavalier over the winter, Danielle took over the reins of the seven-year-old gelding. “If you were to pick a horse for me, he’s the last one you would pick,” Danielle said of the large grey gelding who towers over her small frame. “But he’s very sensitive and very easy to ride.”

Danielle posted her other clear round aboard the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, Lalique, owned by Sir Ruly Inc, to take second place. “I’m just getting to know her,” she said of the mare, who she purchased from Marc Leone over the winter. “She felt really good. We just changed the bit, and she was great.”

Summer Gay of Ridgefield, CT aboard Tyler, owned by the RCG Farm, was the fastest four fault finisher with a time of 33.327 seconds.

Jorge Berganza, member of the Mexican Young Riders team, winning the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic aboard Samsara Tabira.

Mexican rider Jorge Berganza aboard his Samsara Tabira bested the field of 12 horse-and-rider combinations to win the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic Presented by Nutraceutical International Inc. Berganza was the only rider to produce a clear round in the first phase of competition eliminating the need for a jump-off. The second place award went to the fastest four fault finisher, Gaby Slome of Riverdale, NY aboard Espina Du Manior, owned by Missy Clark and Double H. Farm.

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.

**PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**

                                                                Previous       ###      Next