For Immediate Release

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

New Recruit and Abigail Crowell Win the Show Circuit Magazine Children's Medal at the Manchester Classic Horse Show

East Dorset, VT—July 24, 2004 Abigail Crowell of East Dennis, MA and her horse, New Recruit, galloped off with the blue ribbon today in the Show Circuit Magazine Children's Medal at the Manchester Classic Horse Show. The Manchester Classic is the second show of the five-week Vermont Summer Festival series at the Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Taking second place was Claire Politis riding Melissa Clanton's Face It. Politis is from Wellington, FL. The yellow ribbon for third was given to Katlyn Bilodeau of Sagamore, MA aboard Alesso.

The Open Jumper Championship was also awarded today. In an interesting twist of events, there was a three-way tie for the top honors between Summer Storm, owned by Shaine Brooks and ridden by Amy Momrow, and two horses piloted by Angela Covert-Lawrence, Jennifer O'Neill's Griffin and March Sabbah's Tomboy Major.

On Sunday, July 25, top American and Canadian riders will contest the $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix at 2:00 p.m. "This week's $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix course will be designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Schomberg, Ontario, the 1976 Olympic Show Jumping individual silver medalist," stated Marketing Executive Ruth Lacey. "This shows the caliber of course design our exhibitors have come to expect in Vermont."

Over the past several years, Vaillancourt has designed numerous courses throughout North America including the Gulf Coast Winter Series, Ocala Masters, Showpark Summer Festival, and King Shavings U.S. Grand Prix League Finals. His courses have been described as being tough and challenging, yet fair, which allows the best horses and riders to rise to the occasion.

Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, last week's winner of the $35,000 Manchester Summer Festival Grand Prix, will be back in the ring to defend his title. Aguila, the 12 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding whom partnered Torano to victory in that class will have this Sunday off. Instead, Torano will be riding a few different talented horses from his string. Torano is a U.S. Equestrian Team veteran in international competition, and has won Grand Prix here in Vermont in 2001 and 2002.

Chief among Torano's competitors will be his wife, Danielle, last week's champion in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic and third in the Grand Prix. Danielle will be riding two horses in tomorrow's Grand Prix.

Canadian Harold Chopping, who now lives in Hampton Falls, NH, is sure to provide a fierce fight in the Grand Prix. A longtime Grand Prix competitor, Chopping helped the Canadian Equestrian Team win the 2004 $50,000 CN Samsung Nations Cup at the Cosequin Finale CSIO. He was one of only two riders to put in two clear rounds at the Nations Cup, thus helping secure the championship for the Canadian squad.

Another Canadian equestrian, Angela Covert-Lawrence, has jumped to victory several times this year already. Like Danielle Torano, Covert-Lawrence has two mounts for the Grand Prix.

Additionally, Amy Momrow and Summer Storm who won the $10,000 Mini Prix yesterday will try their luck. Such well-known riders as Patty Stovel, Caitlin Venezia, Andrew Philbrick, Alan Korotkin, Holly Shepherd, and many other talented equestrians will join them.

The Manchester Classic is the second show of the five-week Vermont Summer Festival 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 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. This is the 11th year the Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows have taken place at the Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

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 the 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 will be over 1,000 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 email ruth@vt-summerfestival.com.

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