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Team Molson's Angela Covert-Lawrence Wins the $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix in East Dorset, VT - Canadians Dominate the Show Jumping Arena

East Dorset, VT—July 25, 2004 - Team Molson member Angela Covert-Lawrence of Montreal, Quebec rode Marc and Louise Sabbah's horse Tomboy Major in a clear jump off time of 36.499 seconds to win the $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix. They were awarded the Otter Creek Cup for their valiant efforts before a large and appreciative crowd at the Manchester Classic Horse Show in East Dorset, VT.

While the victorious Tomboy Major, an eight year-old Belgian Warmblood was led off to his stall for a Molson Canadian, his traditional reward for winning a Grand Prix, Covert-Lawrence spoke with pride about his owners and her sponsors. "Everyone should be so lucky to have owners like Marc and Louise Sabbah," she shared. "They have been behind me and this horse 100%."

"Riding for Team Molson is a high honor," Covert-Lawrence stated. "I truly appreciate the efforts they've made to improve Canadian show jumping." Covert-Lawrence and Tomboy Major have already notched several big victories this year in Canada. Part of Covert-Lawrence's winnings today will be donated to the International Movement for a Just World, a humanitarian organization she believes does vital and important work.

As far as Tomboy Major is concerned, Covert-Lawrence shares the fact that his groom, Sarah Zinck, has been "a big part of his success. She exercises him and is his Mom." Upon leaving the ring after the victory gallop, the first person Covert-Lawrence hugged was Zinck. Covert-Lawrence says that Tomboy Major is "a big pony in the way he goes. In the first round he wants to be lazy. But, when you get to the jump off, he gets FAST."

Fellow Canadian Harold Chopping and his big mare, Kathleen, finished second in the $35,000 Manchester Classic Grand Prix with a jump off time of 38.544 seconds. This same pair finished second last week in the $35,000 Manchester Summer Festival Grand Prix. Chopping now calls Hampton Falls, NH home, but continues to ride for the Canadian Equestrian Team.

Third place went to the popular Rocketman, owned by Julie Aitken and ridden by Alan Korotkin of Wellington, FL. The pair finished in a time of 40.329 seconds. Alabama's Holly Shepherd teamed with Sarah Patterson's Zeppelin to place fourth with a clear jump off in 44.756. Fifth place went to Jimmy Torano aboard Gibson, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc. Torano, of Key Biscayne, FL, won this class last week while riding Aguila.

Danielle Torano of Key Biscayne, FL repeated last week's victory aboard Lojana by winning today's $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic. Lord Bryon Z carried Robin Swinderman of Morriston, FL to second place. Third and fourth place went to Joy Slater of Unionville, PA with Salvia Ferincia and Shindig, respectively. Slater is world famous as the first woman to win the Maryland Hunt Cup, America's toughest steeplechase race in 1980 and 1981, aboard the legendary Cancottage.

Megan Young of Jacksonville, FL capped off a winning week with a victory aboard Golden Boy 6 in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic. Golden Boy 6 is owned by Hillary Schlusemeyer. Earlier in the show, Young won both the prestigious ASPCA Maclay and the BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search classes when paired with Whitney Kufe's Ilex. Maggie McAlary and Lulu finished second in the Junior Jumper Classic.

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.

The next show in the series, The Valley Classic, begins on Wednesday, July 28. 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 are 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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