For Immediate Release

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

Danielle Torano and Quinault Capture the $35,000 Manchester & The Mountain Grand Prix Sponsored by Hand Motors

East Dorset, VT—August 8, 2004 - A glowing Danielle Torano of Key Biscayne, FL proved her mettle today by scorching to victory over rival Shachine Belle in the $35,000 Manchester & The Mountains Grand Prix sponsored by Hand Motors. This event is part of the five-week Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.

After winning the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic three weeks in a row, Torano cranked it up a notch and set her mind to winning the most important class of the week. With her mount, Quinault, an 8 year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quidam de Revel, Torano made designer Pierre Jolicoeur's challenging course look free flowing and easy.

"We're truly becoming a team," Torano said as she kissed Quinault horse on the nose. "He is such a special and amazing horse, and he tries so hard. It feels really great to win this class here in Vermont at these exciting shows." Torano's deciding jump-off time was 36.335 seconds. Quinault is owned by Torano/Laurenzo/Sir Ruly, Inc.

Danielle's husband, Jimmy Torano, was both a fellow competitor and her most ardent supporter. "I'm so proud of both of them," he stated about his spouse and her mount. Riding Hedgebrook Corporation's Nick, he took home the white ribbon for fourth place.

Shachine Belle of South Salem, NY almost managed to best Torano's performance aboard Ellen Toon's Onyx 66 with a time of 36.377 seconds. "How can I complain?" she laughed about her second place finish. "I could have saved a bit of time between jump-off fences one and two, but I took the slightly longer route. But, I'm very happy with my horse. Onyx was wonderful!"

Last week's winner of the $35,000 Valley Classic Grand Prix, Tracy Bartko-Magness, had to settle for third today. Her mount, J'Aime La Vie, went cleanly and carefully and turned in a time of 37.227.

In the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, Megan Young, 17, of Jacksonville, FL took home the blue ribbon. On her gray Oldenburg gelding Golden-Boy 6, she was one of seven riders to advance to the deciding jump-off round. Young sped through the course and stopped the timers in 44.985 seconds, almost two seconds faster than the second placed finisher.

"Goldy is just coming back from a small injury and he gave it his all today," Young explained about her 17 year-old mount. "I'm so pleased with him. He's the perfect horse." Hillary Schlusemeyer owns Golden-Boy 6.

Second place went to Amanda Gumberg of Pittsburgh, PA. Gumberg turned in a time of 47.114 seconds on Mont Blanc, owned by Skara Glen Stables.

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, showcasing the best American and international riders competing over challenging jumping courses. This year's series includes five $35,000 Grand Prix and five $10,000 Mini Prix. Each of the five weeks will also feature the Nutraceutical Corp. sponsored the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall Of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series.

The next show in the series, the Vermont Summer Celebration, begins on Wednesday, August 11. This is the 11th year the Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows have taken place at the Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

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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