For Immediate Release

Jennifer Ward for Starting Gate Communications

MEDIA CONTACT: (613) 569-2423 or www.startinggate.ca

Kent Farrington Flies to Victory in $30,000 Grand Prix at Vermont Summer Festival

East Dorset, VT — August 6, 2006 – Kent Farrington of Greenwich, Connecticut, made his second trip to the winner's circle during Week 4 of the Vermont Summer Festival running July 12 to August 13 in East Dorset, Vermont. Hot off his win in Friday's $10,000 Tumi Outlet Store Mini Prix, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, riding Loriot, Farrington once again topped the field, this time aboard Titus, to win the $30,000 Manchester & the Mountains Grand Prix on Sunday, August 6.

A total of 25 riders attempted the track set by course designer Ken Krome. While six retired on course after facing problems, six others passed the test to advance to the jump-off. Two others, Holly Orlando riding Great Pleasure and Keri Potter riding Rockford I, jumped clean but exceeded the time allowed of 86 seconds.

First to challenge in the jump-off, James Benedetto of New York set the early pace with a clear round in a time of 45.24 seconds riding the beautiful bay, Midnight. Next into the ring, Amy Momrow and the little chestnut, Summer Storm, took their chances, but a tight turn back to fence eight resulted in Momrow missing the fence altogether and being forced to circle. The 12 faults they accumulated eventually left them in fifth place.

Kirk Webby and Sitah had one rail down to finish fourth with four faults before Kent Farrington took to the all-weather ring. Riding Titus, a nine-year-old Belgian-bred gelding owned by Jessica Speiser, Farrington made easy work of the course, galloping full out and taking every option available to turn in a time of 43.07 seconds, more than two full seconds faster than the early leader, Benedetto.

Baltimore's Tracy Magness took her shot with the big bay Tarco van ter Mundo, but her time of 43.07 seconds was not fast enough to catch Farrington, leaving her in second place. The final challenger, Ian Silitch, cantered into the ring with Rachel Spencer's Rivano, but ran into trouble early on course when Silitch attempted a cut to the third fence which resulted in Rivano refusing and Silitch landing in the dirt, handing victory to Farrington for the second time during Week 4.

"The course was very twisting, but Titus is fast and I took an inside turn to number three because he is really brave," said Farrington of the key to his victory. "The horse is owned by Jessica Speiser who shows him in the amateur jumper division, but she is hurt so I've taken over the ride for her. He is a nice horse to add to my string!"

The victory, which netted Farrington a winner's check of $9,000, marked Farrington's 20th career Grand Prix victory. At 25 years of age, his Grand Prix career is only just beginning. He made his debut riding for the United States Equestrian Team in March at the Nations' Cup held in Wellington, Florida, and in April competed at the World Cup Final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Featuring more than $650,000 in prize money, the Vermont Summer Festival includes a $10,000 Mini Prix, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, each Friday and, for the first four weeks of competition, a $30,000 Grand Prix every Sunday. The 2006 Vermont Summer Festival closes with the grand finale, the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 13. The Vermont Summer Festival is also a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall Of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).

$30,000 Manchester & the Mountains Grand Prix

For more information on the 2006 Vermont Summer Festival please e-mail.

Previous      ###     Next