For Immediate Release

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

Roberts Wins 1,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic

$1,500 NAL/WIHS Children's Jumper Classic at the Valley Classic winner Jacqueline Roberts aboard Liliaceous.

East Dorset, VT—July 26, 2003—Jacqueline Roberts of Pipersville, PA rode her Liliaceous to win the $1,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic at the Valley Classic Horse Show, July 23-27, the third week of the Vermont Summer Festival, July 9-August 10, held at the Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Only ten of the 34 horse-and-rider combinations entered in the class turned in clear performances in the first round to qualify to ride over the shortened jump-off course. Going fourth in the jump-off, Roberts posted a clear round and the fastest time of 37.685 seconds.

Zachary Burnstein of Sudbury, MA aboard Turnloomore, owned by Henrietta Burnstein, turned in a clear performance in the jump-off with a slightly slower time of 37.762 seconds to finish second. The only other horse-and-rider combination to produce a clear round in the jump off was Caitlin Sands, of Lebanon, PA aboard her Rienne De Rouge. This pair stopped the clock at 38.307 seconds to finish third.

Cindy McGrath of Hummelstown, PA rode Euro Pass, owned by Wynwood Farm, to win the $1,500 NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Classic over 27 entered horse-and-rider combinations. Second place in the class was awarded Sarah Kerins of South Salem, NY, who rode Ulysses, owned by Darragh Kerrins.

Earlier in the day in the Grand Prix ring, Eric Thompson of New York, NY rode Ower, owned by Twin Lakes Farm, to win the High Preliminary Jumper Class over the 24 entered horse-and-rider combinations. This pair was later named High Preliminary Jumper Champion.

Cindy McGrath celebrates her victory in the $1,500 NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Jumper Classic at the Valley Classic riding Wynwood Farm's Euro Pass.

Mexican Young Rider team member Marilly Meyer rode Lexington, owned by Jorge Meyer, to win the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Class over 11 horse-and-rider combinations. Her win contributed to her earning Championship honors in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Division.

In the hunter rings at the Valley Classic, Kym Smith of Southampton, NY rode her Enrique to Championship honors in the Adult Amateur Hunter for riders ages 18-35 for the third consecutive week. This combination also teamed up to win the $500 North American League (NAL)/Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Adult Amateur Hunter Classic on July 25.

Anne Braswell of Ocala, FL rode her Mistletoe to earn the Champion ribbon for the Adult Amateur Hunter Division for riders ages 35-45 for the second time at the 2003 Vermont Summer Festival. Holly Caristo of Hauppauge, NY rode Blue Skies, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caristo, to Championship honors in the Adult Amateur Hunter for riders 46 and over.

Early in the morning, Sara Green of Sherborne, MA topped a field of 33 riders to win the USAE Pony Medal. Victoria Birdsall of Topsfield, MA finished in second place.

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**

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