For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hallie McEvoy - (802) 362-9023, VTHorseShows@aol.com
Photos Available Upon Request

Tracy Bartko-Magness on J'Aime La Vie Triumphs in the $10,000 Manchester & The Mountains Mini Prix at the Vermont Summer Festival

East Dorset, VT—August 6, 2004 - Today, the $10,000 Manchester & The Mountains Mini Prix in East Dorset, VT went to a speedy Tracy Bartko-Magness of Baltimore, MD. The Manchester & The Mountains Horse Show is part of the five-week Vermont Summer Festival.

Riding her 13 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, J'Aime La Vie, owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko, Bartko-Magness stopped the timers in 30.527 seconds. Riding this same horse, Bartko-Magness won last Sunday's $35,000 Valley Classic Grand Prix.

The red ribbon for second place went to Mary Lisa Leffler from Brookeville, MD aboard Graf Rossini S, owned by Bruce Chovnick, LLC. Leffler had a clean trip in 30.527 seconds. Courtney Phibbs on Snepts placed third, while Kirk Webby and Lester were fourth.

Ruth Drumm of Lennox Dale, MA on Thunder Bay outrode her competitors to capture the prestigious ASPCA Maclay class. Yesterday's winner of the U.S. Equestrian Federation's Junior Medal class, Margaret Bopp of Greenwich, CT and her horse, Sommersby, had to settle for second today.

In the Ariat Adult Medal, Kara De Laurentis of Stamford, CT jumped Abatar to capture the blue ribbon. Second place went to Julie Ledoux of New York City, NY on Favorite Son.

The overall champion in the two-phase WIHS class was Kendall Bate of Wellington, FL on Keystone. Another Wellington, FL resident, Julia Capalino and her mount, Doc, placed second.

The Manchester & the Mountains Horse Show is the fourth event in the five-week Vermont Summer Festival series in East Dorset, VT. The Vermont Summer Festival is New England's largest "AA" rated hunter/jumper horse show circuit and runs from July 14 to August 15. This year's series includes five $35,000 Grand Prix and five $10,000 Mini Prix. Each of the five weeks will also feature $10,000 Show Jumping Hall Of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series.

The $35,000 Manchester & the Mountains Horse Show Grand Prix on August 8, 2004 will be sponsored by Hand Motors. This year's sponsorship by Hand Motors continues a long history of support of the Vermont Summer Festival by the Manchester Center, VT based Chevrolet and Volkswagen dealership.

For many riders, the pinnacles of the show series are the three prestigious classes that take place every Sunday at the show. The $35,000 Grand Prix, the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, and the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic showcase the best American and international riders competing over challenging jumping courses.

While not watching exciting jumping action, spectators will enjoy visiting the Festival's trade fair that contains interesting boutiques and gift shops. Families will enjoy the ambiance of the show grounds, as there are hundreds of horses and ponies to observe.

Admission to the Vermont Summer Festival is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children. For further information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please call (802) 362-7548 or or email ruth@vt-summerfestival.com. For more information about Hand Motors, please see www.handmotors.com on the Internet.

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