Tag Archives: Vermont Summer Festival

Competitions, Show Jumping

Ian Silitch Rides to One-Two Finish in $30k Mount Equinox Grand Prix in Vermont

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Ian Silitch and Cordovo. Photo by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont – Ian Silitch of Ocala, FL and Cordovo captured the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix, presented by Purina Horse Feed, on Saturday, July 25 at the 2015 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for six consecutive weeks, from June 30 through August 9, at Harold Beebe Farm.

Silitch, who advanced to the jump-off on two mounts, both owned by Gaston Family Investments, LLC, posted the only double-clear trip of the day aboard Cordovo and jumped Vanita to the fastest four-fault ride to secure the one-two finish. Both tracks were set by U.S. Course Designer Steve Stephens.

Delivering the first fault-free ride of the day over Stephens’ 12-obstacle course, Silitch and Cordovo were sitting pretty as the lone clear for seven trips. With a roar from the crowd, Marylisa Leffler of Brookeville, MD and Carlot secured a jump-off for owner Rolling Acres. Next in the ring, Silitch doubled his chances for a win, going clear with Vanita to set the stage for a three-horse jump-off.

Returning first over the short course, Silitch and Cordovo broke the timers in 38.79 seconds. Leffler and Carlot picked up four faults in 39.88 seconds and guaranteed Silitch the win. In the final ride, Vanita and Silitch’s four-fault effort in 38.67 seconds moved into second and bumped Leffler to third.

The fastest four-fault ride from the first round in 68.55 seconds gave David Raposa of Clinton, NY and his own Waultraut a fourth-place ribbon. Jimmy Torano of Wellington, FL and his own Daydream rounded out the top five on four faults in 71.22 seconds.

Silitch was quick to thank Purina Horse Feed as the sponsor of Saturday’s event, as well as his owners, The Gaston Family of Morgantown, WV, for their support. “It’s nice when good things happen to good people and the Gastons are ecstatic about our results this week,” said Silitch, who also won the $10,000 Vineyard Vines Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, with Cordovo on Thursday.

Cordovo, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Contender x Erania), was purchased by The Gaston Family almost two years ago from Derek Petersen. “Derek is a neighbor of mine in Ocala and he told me he had a wonderful young horse to show me and he was right,” said Silitch. “We came along quietly and it gets better and better every day. He’s on fire and I’m having a lot of fun with him.”

Before entering the ring on Vanita, Silitch was in the unique position of already having the class won. “I’ve been in that situation a few times, but it doesn’t make it any less nice,” he laughed.

Vanita, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Na Ssau Ot x Nenke) has jumped to a couple notable wins with Silitch in the tack and is impressing again at the Vermont Summer Festival.

“She is tough and isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but she’s incredibly game and I would put my life in her hands,” she said.

Silitch will aim to defend is spot at the top and pilot both Cordovo and Vanita in next week’s $30,000 Manchester & the Mountains Grand Prix on Saturday, August 1 at 1 p.m.

While Silitch was honored with prizes for his win, including a scrim from Mona’s Monograms, the Vermont Summer Festival also recognized his groom with the weekly Grand Prix Groom Award. In recognition of his hard work to prepare Cordovo for grand prix competition, Steven Ottersburg was presented with a monogrammed jacket and coolerette from sponsor Glenn Geary of Horsewatch.

Competition at the 2015 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $9 for adults, $5 for children. 100% of the gate proceeds benefit the Manchester Community Library and Dorset Equine Rescue.

The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition, and the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. It is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). For over 20 years, the event has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition in an ideal summer setting.

Please e-mail or visit the website for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.

Contact: Lindsay Brock
Jump Media
Cell: (518) 586-6258
Lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Rebecca Meitin Tops $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Classic in Vermont

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Rebecca Meitin and Zulu. Photo by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont – Rebecca Meitin of Winter Park, FL and her own Zulu closed out the third week of competition at the Vermont Summer Festival with a win in the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 19. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for six consecutive weeks, from June 30 through August 9, at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Julia Acierno of New York, NY and her own Aragorn were the first competitors in the 20-horse field to leave the jumps in their cups from the seventh spot in the starting order. Eight trips later, Kathleen Diana of Saint James, NY and her own Amstel E assured the Sunday morning crowd of a jump-off. They were later joined by Sarah Capuano of Scottsdale, AZ on her own Albratroz VDL, Meitin with Zulu, and Jill Pami of Glen Rock, NJ aboard Fandango, owned by Seth Merrin.

Returning first, Aciemo pulled two rails in a time 34.61 seconds. Diana was next and finished on four faults in 34.28 seconds. Capuano had a rail on the ground in 35.71 seconds before Meitin entered the ring and proved that the jump-off track could be jumped clear, crossing the timers clear in 36.30 seconds. Pami rounded out the jump-off field, but a heartbreak rail at the final fence left her with four faults in 34.87 seconds, handing Meitin the win with the only double-clear effort of the day.

Diana and Amstel E ended in second behind Meitin, with Pami settling for third on Fandango. Capuano riding Albratroz VDL and Aciemo aboard Aragorn finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Meitin’s show-ring relationship with Zulu is still growing after she purchased the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding only two months ago from Mexico’s Eugenio Garza Perez.

“My trainers basically said this was the right horse for me and they were right,” said Meitin who riders with Ezequiel and Wendy Peralta at Seabreeze Farm in Geneva, FL.

After a two-year hiatus from the Vermont Summer Festival, Seabreeze Farm made a return visit to southern Vermont this year.

“We heard that this new footing was to die for and it really is amazing,” said Meitin. “I love it here and we will definitely be back.”

Meitin competed last week in the Adult Amateur Jumper Classic, but saw a bigger test in week three’s Classic.

“The course was big and technical,” she said. “I was just thrilled to get to the jump-off and then we won it!

“Zulu is really easy on the mouth, very comfortable and turns on a dime,” she added. “But he jumps really big, so if your leg isn’t on, you’re going to get launched. I’ve had to adjust to that because my other horses are push button.”

When not at a horse show, 33-year-old Meitin does philanthropy work with an Orlando-based charity called Guys with Ties. Her goal for Zulu is to compete in the Low Amateur Jumper divisions at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL before moving up to the Medium division.

Also on Sunday, Lillian Kirbo of Tallahassee, FL and Jumbo Jet, owned by Helen Kirbo, won the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic. In the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, both Clea Newman Soderlund of Fairfield, CT on her own Tabella and Saly Glassman of Gwynedd Valley, PA aboard Doctori for Kindle Hill Affiliates crossed the timers with the same exact time to share first-place honors. Mackenzie Burns of Blairstown, NJ and her own Third Degree took top spot in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by Team Barber.

The weekly Horse Sport Canadian Sportsmanship Award was also presented on Sunday. Karine Perron of Montreal, QC accepted the prize after week three of the Vermont Summer Festival. The new award, sponsored by Horse Sport Magazine, Canada’s most respected equestrian magazine, will be presented each week during the circuit, with the winners collecting several prizes, including a subscription to Horse Sport magazine.

Competition at the 2015 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $9 for adults, $5 for children. 100% of the gate proceeds benefit the Manchester Community Library and Dorset Equine Rescue.

The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition, and the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. It is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). For over 20 years, the event has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition in an ideal summer setting.

Please e-mail or visit the website for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.

Contact: Lindsay Brock
Jump Media
Cell: (518) 586-6258
Lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Danielle Torano and Callas 2 Claim $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix

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Danielle Torano and Callas 2. Photo by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont – Danielle Torano of Wellington, FL and Callas 2 bested a three-horse jump-off to win the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix on Saturday, July 18 at the 2015 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for six consecutive weeks, from June 30 through August 9, at Harold Beebe Farm.

The first-round track, built by Ken Krome (USA), featured 13 jumping efforts, including a double and triple combination. Three pairs finished clean to advance to the jump-off, which in turn produced only two double-clear efforts by husband-wife duo Danielle and Jimmy Torano.

Torano and her own Callas 2 were the first to jump clear from the second spot in the original order. She was later joined by Jimmy in the irons of his own Daydream, as well as Wendy Ritter Peralta of Geneva, FL with her own Cruz Z.

Returning first, Torano and Callas 2, an eight-year-old Warmblood mare, stopped the clock fault-free in 54.79 seconds with two challengers behind her. Jimmy Torano entered the ring next and left the jumps in their cups, but broke the timers only fractions slower than his wife in 55.01 seconds for second place. Peralta returned last in the jump-off and had Torano beat on the clock. But a single rail gave her four faults in 52.65 seconds for third.

Kimberly Mulligan-Mangione of Milford, CT produced the fastest four-fault ride over the first-round course with her own Psalms 23 to finish fourth on a time of 94.22 seconds. In addition to the win, Torano and her own Herault rounded out the top five with four faults in 95.51 seconds.

Torano’s win was the first grand prix start for Callas 2, a mare she and Jimmy imported from Belgium last summer with high hopes. “She was a superstar from the first day I rode her,” said Torano.

An injury in 2014 sidelined the pair for the entire winter circuit in Florida and Torano just got her back into work this spring.

“Honestly, I wasn’t going to show her today,” laughed Torano. “Jimmy said I should jump her in the grand prix and I told him he was crazy.”

Up until Thursday morning, Torano still had no intention of stepping her young mare out of the High Amateur Divisions just yet, but after walking the course decided the track was just right to move her up.

“We only have young horses right now and this show is the perfect stepping stone for them. I thought the course was right on – just hard enough, and not too hard for the young horses,” she said. “Callas is a difficult ride, but she’s really special. I think she can do all of it, so this is just our beginning.”

The win kicked off a busy weekend for Torano with her daughter competing in the short stirrup and son in walk/trot division in Vermont. With a smile, Torano admitted to having one regret after Thursday’s class. “Now I’m going to have to hear ‘I told you so’, because Jimmy did tell me that if I showed her, she would win,” she laughed.

While Torano was honored with prizes for her win, including a scrim from Mona’s Monograms, the Vermont Summer Festival also recognized her groom with the weekly Grand Prix Groom Award. In recognition of his hard work to prepare Callas 2 for grand prix competition, Gerardo Briseno was presented with a monogrammed jacket and coolerette from sponsor Glenn Geary of Horsewatch.

“Our grooms look forward to this award every year and Gerardo hasn’t won a jacket in a couple years, so he was especially happy today,” said Torano. “They work so hard behind the scenes, and we couldn’t do any of this without them. Most people think it’s just a jacket, but it means the world to them.”

Competition at the 2015 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m. Grand prix action continues on Saturday, July 18 with the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix at 1 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $9 for adults, $5 for children. 100% of the gate proceeds benefit the Manchester Community Library and Dorset Equine Rescue.

The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition, and the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. It is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). For over 20 years, the event has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition in an ideal summer setting.

Please e-mail or visit the website for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.

Contact: Lindsay Brock
Jump Media
Cell: (518) 586-6258
Lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Mark Bluman Scores Third Welcome Stake Victory at Vermont Summer Festival

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Mark Bluman and G&C Blue won the $10,000 Theory Welcome Stake. Photo by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Colombian rider Mark Bluman was in the winner’s circle yet again on Thursday, August 8, after topping the $10,000 Theory Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.  The win marked Bluman’s third $10,000 Welcome Stake victory of the circuit after winning during week one with G&C Lagran and week five with G&C Blue.

Having earned victory in the $10,000 Theory Welcome Stake with G&C Blue, Bluman nearly took second place as well with G&C Lagran, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, but was ultimately overtaken by fellow Colombian Manuel Torres aboard Fidelina. Last to go, Torres outpaced Bluman and G&C Lagran, but could not catch Bluman’s blazing double clear round with G&C Blue.  Bluman and the 10-year-old gelding had set the time to beat at 28.79 seconds early on in the order to top the 30-horse starting field.

Course designer Eric Hasbrouck set a jump-off track full of tight rollback turns that proved challenging for many riders, but Bluman executed an impressively efficient track that made him impossible to beat.

“It wasn’t a big course, but it was technical,” said Bluman.  “In the jump off course, I did six strides from one to two and everyone else did seven.  I did seven strides to the last jump and everybody did eight.  It turned out well for me and the horse jumped really well.”

Bluman was honored to be competing alongside Torres, a five-time Olympian who Bluman, 22, looks up to as a young rider.

“I’ve always admired Manuel because he’s the Colombian athlete that has gone to the most Olympic Games in the history of Colombia,” said Bluman.  “He has done five Olympic Games.  He’s a person to admire.  He’s very talented.”

This was the second week in a row that Bluman has beaten Torres, and the up-and-coming rider recognized that he was in very good company at the Vermont Summer Festival.

“It feels nice to win, and not just against him,” commented Bluman.  “The rest of the people here are really good.  There are a lot of talented riders and trainers here.”

Finishing in the top three with two of his mounts pushed Bluman to the top of the $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Award standings.  A day earlier, fellow grand prix competitor Jimmy Torano had jokingly told Bluman that he would have to be nearly flawless to overtake Penny Brennan in the standings.

“Jimmy is always joking around,” Bluman smiled.  “He was telling me, ‘You’re going to have to be really good!’  We have been chasing that rider bonus and thinking about if I can catch Penny.  I did perfect and she had an unlucky day.”

He continued, “It’s a really nice feeling to win again, and especially to win again with Blue.  To win three out of the four $10,000 Welcome Stakes that I did is an awesome feeling and I’m really glad that today turned out so well.”

Bluman has regularly juggled three starkly different mounts in each welcome stake and grand prix class he has done in Vermont.  In addition to G&C Blue and G&C Lagran, both owned by Gustavo Mirabal of G&C Farms, he is also getting acquainted with G&C Carla, a horse he began showing for his brother, Ilan Bluman, at the beginning of the Vermont Summer Festival.  Bluman admitted the three horses are all very different rides, but felt mastering the trio has been an asset to his riding.

“They are all really different,” he said.  “Lagran is a very sensitive horse.  Blue is slower and you need to push him a lot.  Carla is a new ride for me, so we’re getting to know each other still.  They’re very different from one another, but that’s what makes you a good rider.”

The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Cloe Hymowitz Goes Two for Two in NAL Low Jr./A-O Classic at Vermont Summer Festival

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Cloe Hymowitz guided Bon Vivant to victory in the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic. David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — 16-year-old Cloe Hymowitz, of New York, NY, collected her second victory in a row in the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic held Sunday, July 28, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.

Having claimed victory in the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic one week earlier with Caleta, Hymowitz returned to the grand prix ring during week four to again take the win, this time riding Bon Vivant.  Hymowitz and Bon Vivant edged out 26 horse-rider combinations for the win, taking the lead late in the jump-off with a double clear round in 38.08 seconds, two seconds ahead of early pacesetter Adeline Audette riding U2U.  With only two riders left to go, Catherine Tyree came close to catching Hymowitz’s time with Marengo, but 38.85 seconds would eventually leave Tyree in second place.  The final challengers, Gabrielle Hero and Pugnax, were on pace for the win, but a heartbreaking rail at the final fence saw them finish in seventh place.

Hymowitz had only just arrived in Vermont in the early morning hours, flying in specifically for the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic in an effort to earn qualifying points towards year-end finals.

“I came in this morning at 5:30 and got on him and went!” said Hymowitz.  “It’s definitely hard, especially when you haven’t ridden for a while.  I got here in the morning and rode him this morning, then jumped a couple jumps this afternoon and went in the class.  I’m lucky enough that he took me around that nicely!”

Hymowitz was understandably thrilled with how Bon Vivant, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood owned by Rose Hill Farm, performed in the ring on Sunday afternoon.

“He was great in there,” praised Hymowitz.  “He’s one of the most amazing horses to ride. He goes without you even asking him to.  You just let go of his mouth and he’ll run to any distance and jump.  He can turn on a dime.  He’s very exciting to ride and a really fun horse.”

While some competitors found the courses set by Conrad Homfeld, 1984 Olympic team gold and individual silver medalist, difficult, Hymowitz welcomed the challenge and was pleased with her improvement from the previous week.

“The course designer was really smart to start the first round off with a bending line,” explained Hymowitz.  “It’s very tough.  We had trouble with that last week, so I’m glad we fixed that.  Both rounds went really well; the courses rode really smoothly.”

An effortless first round performance put Hymowitz and Bon Vivant through to the jump-off, where Hymowitz aimed to set a fast pace early on in her track.

“The strategy was, basically, if I got a really forward gallop to the first jump, that’s the type of gallop to keep; to fly in the air and give him space to be forward to each jump,” she explained.

Hymowitz and Bon Vivant made their competition debut together at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival, and have enjoyed plenty of success over the past year.  The pair earned multiple Children’s Jumper victories at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, finishing as reserve champion in the Children’s Jumper 15-17 division week four and clinching back-to-back Children’s Modified Jumper championships in weeks six and seven.

Next up on the competition schedule for Hymowitz and Bon Vivant is an appearance at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY.  Following that, the duo will travel to Europe for the first time, where Hymowitz aims to improve her riding before year-end finals and returning to Florida.

“We’re going to take him to Vienna and Austria and show him for two weeks there,” said Hymowitz of Bon Vivant.  “I’m really excited.  This is my first time going over to Europe.  I’ve heard how nice it is and that there’s exciting things to do there and that the show grounds are so beautiful.”

Hymowitz’s victory was preceded by the $1,500 Marshall and Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic, when Tye Donaldson and his own Dunja rode to first place.  The $2,500 Marshall and Sterling Adult Amateur Jumper Classic was the next title contested with Alissa Kinsey and her own Grisset jumping to victory.

The final jumper classic of the day was the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic.  Katie Tyler and her own Seattle 6 secured the final blue ribbon handed out during the fourth week of the Vermont Summer Festival.

The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. The six-week circuit will continue through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Catherine Tyree and Sandor de la Pomme Win $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Welcome Stake

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Catherine Tyree guided Sandor de la Pomme to victory in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake. David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Catherine Tyree and her newly acquired mount, Sandor de la Pomme, secured their first victory together in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 25, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.

Even more impressively, Tyree’s win came in only her third time competing with Sandor de la Pomme, an 11-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding.

“Everything clicked automatically when I went in the ring yesterday (in the 1.30m Jumpers),” Tyree explained.  “I was already feeling confident yesterday so going in the ring today I knew he would take care of me, no matter what.”

Tyree, 18, of Chicago, IL, follows in the footsteps of grand prix veterans Peter Wylde, Darragh Kenny, and McLain Ward, all of whom have formerly campaigned Sandor de la Pomme.

“It was very intimidating (showing him for the first time),” Tyree acknowledged.  “He’s shown with all these huge-name riders, and now I have him.  I was definitely nervous going into the ring the first time, but all of that has worked itself out.”

Despite their short relationship, Tyree can already feel their partnership forming.  The pair posted the only double clear round of in Thursday’s $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake after multiple riders ran into trouble throughout the course designed by 1984 Olympic team gold medalist Conrad Homfeld of Wellington, FL.

“The course was a lot more technical than I thought it would be,” said Tyree.  “I got to ride it when I did the low amateurs, so I had a feel for it.  But when the jumps went up, it was a little more difficult.”

Tyree first attempted the course with Don’t Go, but had a rail down to miss qualifying for the jump-off.  When the time came for Tyree to enter the ring with Sandor de la Pomme, she found herself at ease knowing she could trust her mount’s talent.

“He’s so game and he’s got a big heart.  He’s careful.  He’s correct.  He always wants to do the right thing.  With him, I just have to trust that he knows what he’s doing.  He’s jumped plenty of big classes, so I know I don’t have to worry about him.  It’s a nice feeling to have going into the ring,” Tyree remarked.

Going late in the order, Tyree knew she only had to go clear to win the class, which was especially reassuring since she didn’t want to push too hard with her new partner.  The best performance so far had been turned in by Hillary Simpson, who incurred four faults in the jump-off with Nopus du Gue Joubert.

“I knew there were no clears (jump-off rounds) and this was only my second jump-off with him, so I wasn’t planning on going too fast,” said Tyree of the immediate jump-off format.  “I just wanted to make sure I was neat with my turns and gave him a chance to leave the jumps up.”

Tyree is grateful for the opportunity to ride Sandor de la Pomme so early in her budding amateur career, describing him as the most talented horse she’s ever been fortunate enough to ride.

“I’m very happy I get to have a horse like him; I never thought it would happen,” smiled Tyree, who trains with Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run Stables in Warren, VT.  “Missy and John suggested it to my parents and I never thought they would go for it!”

She continued, “Missy and John knew right away that it would work well, so I just had to have faith in them that they know what they’re doing.”

Clark and Brennan were clearly on to something, as demonstrated by Tyree’s victory.  Tyree and Sandor de la Pomme will continue to compete at the Vermont Summer Festival for the next two weeks and plan to contest a few grand prix classes.

The Vermont Summer Festival hosts its fourth week of competition at Harold Beebe farm this week and will continue through August 11. The six-week circuit, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation

Steege and Stewart Dominate World Championship Hunter Rider Week at Vermont Summer Festival

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Amanda Steege guided Tony Arena’s Majestic to the High Performance Hunter Championship title. Photos by David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition took place throughout the third week of competition, held July 17-21, at the Vermont Summer Festival, attracting the East Coast’s top hunter riders as they prepare for WCHR Finals this fall.

Professionals were among the first to compete for championship honors at Harold Beebe Farm, located in East Dorset, VT.  Amanda Steege, who has made frequent trips to the winner’s circle over the years, claimed champion and reserve titles in the High Performance Hunter division with two of her clients’ horses.  Steege collected the tricolor honors with Tony Arena’s Majestic and finished reserve champion with Susan Darragh’s Zidane.

Steege’s clients also racked up WCHR points throughout the week with her student, Charlene Graham riding Only You, being named reserve champion in the Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 division.  Championship honors went to Barbara Spizzirro and Hundred Acre, trained by Brooke Baldwin DeGrazia.

“We had a great WCHR week,” Steege beamed who operates Ashmeadow Farm in Bedminster, NJ.  “We always put Vermont on our schedule, but now that there is a WCHR week, we’ve incorporated always coming during week three.  It gives us an added reason to come.”

Steege acknowledged that the quality of shows recognized as WCHR horse shows add an extra incentive for competitors.

“The horse shows that are recognized as WCHR shows are supposed to be the best horse shows in the country,” explained Steege.  “There’s a select group of them, and that in and of itself draws us to them because they (are) shows with the best footing, the best judges, the best jumps.  Just the fact that it’s a designated WCHR show makes us want to come.”

In Steege’s expert opinion, the Vermont Summer Festival more than lives up to the WCHR hype.

“(Show manager) Billy Glass and (show owners) Dotty and John Ammerman put so much extra effort into making sure everybody is happy,” complimented Steege.  “I love that Jennifer Glass is at the ring doing the awards and that they always offer such nice awards.  It feels important when you win something.”

Steege continued, “Billy is super organized, so the show always runs on schedule and you can expect how it’s going to run timing-wise.  They do a really good job trying to maintain the arenas, too.”

Besides the quality assurance that comes with WCHR designation, Steege looks forward to the fierce competition that takes place.

“I think it really spices up the hunter competition here.  This was, for sure, the strongest week competition-wise.  Lots of other hunter riders are after the same thing that we are,” she described.

What Steege and countless other riders are after is top placings in the year-end WCHR standings.

“WCHR is a really good goal.  The program gives great awards and since they only count your top four shows at the end of the year, it doesn’t encourage you to over-show the horse.  I think a lot of people set their sights on the WCHR awards, not only being a regional or national champion, but being in the top six of their region or the top ten in the nation.”

Steege has her eye on the WCHR Finals, to be held September 30 through October 6 at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD.

“Capital Challenge is one of my favorite shows of the year,” said Steege.  “It’s a lot more relaxing if you go into Capital Challenge already knowing that you’re qualified for those special classes as opposed to depending on having a great week there since it’s such a hard show.”

Scott Stewart claimed the Second Year Green Working Hunter Championship with Rose Hill Farm’s Enjoy
Scott Stewart claimed the Second Year Green Working Hunter Championship with Rose Hill Farm’s Enjoy

Perennial WCHR champion Scott Stewart collected champion and reserve titles in the Conformation Hunter division.  Stewart was champion aboard Humor Me, owned by Stephanie Danhakl, and guided Krista and Alexa Weisman’s Concept to reserve honors.

Stewart also enjoyed success in the Second Year Green Working Hunter division with Rose Hill Farm’s Enjoy.  The pair was named division champion while David Wilbur was named reserve champion with Eloise, owned by Caroline Connal.

Jennifer Bauersachs and Avignion, owned by Francesca Miglior, took the First Year Green Working Hunter Championship while Stewart earned reserve champion with Loyalty, owned by Fashion Farm.

Stewart’s clients at River’s Edge Farm in Flemington, NJ, also had plenty of reason to celebrate after Lili Hymowitz conquered the Large Junior Hunter division.  Hymowitz was champion with her own Statement and finished reserve with Tiffani, owned by Danielle Stacy.

Hymowitz also triumphed in the pony ring, finishing as reserve champion in the Large Pony Hunter division with Dr. Betsee Parker’s Enjoy the Laughter.  Ali Tritschler riding KAR, LLC’s Won Up won the division championship title.

Stewart’s success in the pony ring continued with his pony, Show Me Love, winning the Medium Pony Hunter division championship with Taylor St. Jacques.  Isabel Ryan was reserve champion with Cleverist, owned by Daisy Farish.

Hymowitz’s older sister, Cloe, was named reserve champion in the Small Junior Hunter division with Rose Hill Farm’s Enjoy.  The division was topped by Elle Young, who piloted Karen Young’s Boris to the win.

Gina Day, another student of Stewart’s, finished on top of the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 and Over Division with her horse, Premier.  Reserve champion for the division was Kim Miller and her own Fair Wind.

Day wasn’t the only rider from River’s Edge to collect top honors in the adult amateur divisions.  Alexa Weisman and Showman were champions of the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-35 division.  Jean Sheptoff and Alavanta, trained by Cory Hardy, finished as reserve champions.

River’s Edge continued to dominate the Amateur-Owner divisions over the weekend.  Krista Weisman and Reality were Amateur-Owner division champions while barnmates Nancy Hooker and Castlewalk were named reserve champions.

Stewart was thrilled with how his horses and students performed, describing the week as exceeding his expectations.

“It’s been great!” said Stewart.  “We won quite a bit so we’re very happy.  The kids and the amateurs all went well, so it’s been really nice.  The week really couldn’t have gone much better.  It’s something you hope for.”

He continued, “For the heat, I guess it’s still best to be here!  I like this show a lot.  It’s quiet, the rings are nice, and they did a great job with the courses this week.  The Town of Manchester is also just a nice place to be.”

Stewart came to the Vermont Summer Festival specifically for WCHR week, but plans to extend his stay next summer.  Both he and his clients enjoy the show and especially value the opportunity to earn points towards WCHR Finals.

“We always work towards trying to do our best going into Capital Challenge.  That show, for me, is one of my favorites of the year because of the special WCHR classes.  It’s the first indoor horse show of the year for most of the horses, so I think they go their best,” Stewart commented.

The Small and Green Pony Hunter divisions were among the last to name their champions as WCHR week at the Vermont Summer Festival came to a close.  Ellie Ferrigno rode her pony, Clovermeade Peekaboo Street, to the division championship title in the Green Pony Hunter division.  Reserve honors went to Copperfield, owned by Catherine Black and shown by Madeline Schaefer.

Schaefer was also reserve champion in the Small Pony Hunter division with Further Lane Farm’s Rolling Stone.  The championship title was awarded to Believe in Blue, owned and ridden by Nicole Boyle.

The Vermont Summer Festival continues on Tuesday, July 23, with the fourth ‘Equitation Tuesday’ of the six-week circuit.

The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Jennifer Ward, Show Jumping

Danielle Torano Captures Second Consecutive Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classic at Vermont Summer Festival

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Danielle Torano and Capitano won the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic. David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Danielle Torano of Fort Lauderdale, FL, won her second consecutive $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.  Having captured the win during week two with Cachaca 4, Torano returned to the grand prix arena on Sunday, July 21, for week three’s victory with Capitano.

At 18 years of age, Capitano has made frequent trips to the winner’s circle at the Vermont Summer Festival.  Under Torano’s guidance, he won the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix in 2011 and the Balbuco Challenge Cup for winning the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix in 2005.

“I thought he wanted to be done (after the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival) in Florida,” Torano revealed.  “But while we were showing at Old Salem in New York, (my husband) Jimmy called the barn and told them to bring him in from the field because if he was going to retire, it would have to be in Vermont since Capitano loves this show so much.  He’s always done well here.”

Proving Jimmy Torano right, Capitano demonstrated that he’s not ready for retirement just yet.

“He goes off so much heart.  That’s originally why I retired him.  He wasn’t lame; there wasn’t anything wrong with him.  I just thought he was having to try a little too hard so I thought he was telling me he wanted to be done.  Obviously not!”  Torano laughed.

Capitano has been a beloved member of the Torano family for over a decade, originally competing with Jimmy Torano before Torano took over the ride.  Over the years, Torano and the Holsteiner gelding have gotten to know each other inside and out.

“He’s completely trustworthy and he helps me out.  I know him like the back of my hand and it’s nice to get on something that’s familiar.  He’s totally straight-forward and nice to ride,” she described.

She continued, “We’re very connected.  I feel every little thing on him.  I think that helps us and it hurts us, but I think that’s why he tries so hard.  He knows I’m looking out for him, so he looks out for me.”

Of the three horses that advanced to the jump-off over the track set by course designer Ken Krome, Torano and Capitano produced the only double clear round of the day.  Knowing speed was not their strength, Torano went into the second round focused on navigating a track full of twists and turns.

“He’s not a super-fast horse, so my strategy was to be as smooth as I could.  I failed in a couple of places,” Torano admitted.  “I didn’t think I could get the distance I wanted to jump one, so I added a stride.  It wasn’t a great jump, but he cleared it so it worked out.  He’s a super careful horse.”

Despite having little to no preparation before making his appearance at the Vermont Summer Festival, Capitano proved he is as talented as ever.

“He’s 18 years old and he basically had no preparation for today in the way of riding or jumping or training,” Torano revealed.  “He just wants to be a good horse and he wants to jump the jumps clean.”

The $5,000 North American League Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was also held on Sunday.  Cloe Hymowitz and Caleta topped a field of 36 entries for the win after laying down a double clear round and crossing the timers nearly two full seconds ahead of the second place finisher, Sima Morgello riding Zopala.

Sunday’s Jumper Classics marked the end of the third week of competition at the Vermont Summer Festival, hosted at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.  The six week circuit continues through August 11.  The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Devin Ryan and Zosja Triumph in $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix in Vermont

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Devin Ryan guided Zosja to victory in the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix. David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Devin Ryan and Zosja were declared the winners of the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix, presented by the Inns at Equinox, on Saturday afternoon at the Vermont Summer Festival. Ryan and Zosja were the only double-clear round of the day, laying down a steady and careful second trip to secure them the victory.

Ryan and Zosja were second to return in the jump-off, following Thursday’s welcome stake victors Cory Hardy and Camelot 105, who finished with four faults. Jimmy Torano and Walkabout were the only other pair to progress to the jump-off and ultimately finished with four faults just behind Hardy.

Ryan was exceptionally pleased with his rounds aboard Eagle Valley Partner’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.

“Today was one of the smoothest rounds I think I’ve had on her,” Ryan revealed. “I messed around in the spring trying to change bridles and I think it backfired on me. I went back to her old bridle and focused on myself. I focused on what I needed to be doing instead of what I was trying to make her do for me, and that seems to have worked.”

Ryan admitted that “making” Zosja do anything is out of the question.  In the year that has passed since they competed last at the Vermont Summer Festival, their relationship has progressed to one of mutual respect.

“She’s gotten a lot better since last summer. She’s much different. I didn’t have a lot of rideability last year. You have to ride her the way she wants to be ridden. Now, she respects me and listens more. Some horses you can get to adjust to your program, but you have to ride Zosja her way,” Ryan explained.

He continued, “She’s sensitive. She’s strong herself, but she doesn’t like when you get strong with her.”

While it may have caused him trouble initially, Ryan considers Zosja’s strong spirit one of her most valuable qualities.

“She’s so brave. The fences never back her off. She’s willing and never says no. She will take you to the jumps. She really attacks them. I don’t have many horses that attack the jumps like she does. She’s aggressive to each one and for a jumper, that’s not a bad thing,” Ryan commented.

Zosja may be more than eager to get up and over whatever is asked of her, but Ryan rode her to first place by focusing on smoothness rather than going full throttle in the jump off.

“My strategy was to try to stay smooth and not push her. Every time I’ve tried to push her and run in the jump off, I get in trouble with her. The more I push her, the quicker her stride gets, not bigger. Jimmy and Cory were faster than me because I didn’t leave out a stride in the last line. I didn’t want to push her down it, and today it worked out,” Ryan described.

Ryan was quick to mention that Saturday’s victory was not simply the result of his efforts, but that of the entire team of Eagle Valley Partners and Ryan’s River Run Stables, based in Long Valley, NJ.

“It’s the whole team, when it comes down to it,” Ryan stated. “The owners and all of the support making everything flow smoothly throughout the day are so important. Everyone, down to the guys you don’t see because they’re back at the barn, makes this possible. It’s not just one rider and one horse doing it, it’s the entire team.”

The Vermont Summer Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. The six-week circuit will continue through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Cory Hardy and Camelot 105 Clinch First Big Win in $10,000 Marimekko Welcome Stake

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Cory Hardy and Camelot 10 claimed victory in the $10,000 Marimekko Welcome Stake. David Mullinix Photography.

East Dorset, Vermont — Cory Hardy and Commonwealth Ventures’ Camelot 105 claimed the $10,000 Marimekko Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, held July 18 at the Vermont Summer Festival.  The six-week competition continues through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Hardy and Camelot 105 were one of only two double clear rounds produced in Thursday’s $10,000 Marimekko Welcome Stake, the other coming from Devin Ryan aboard Eagle Valley Partners’ Boucanier.  Hardy and Camelot 105 managed to slice almost one-tenth of a second off of Ryan’s time of 37.81 for the win, finishing in 37.72 seconds.

“I think going into the last jump is where I made the time,” Hardy revealed.  “I think Devin had me beat going into the turn back on 14, but Camelot can open his step up and just work off a big gallop.  He doesn’t feel like he’s going that fast but he covers a lot of ground without being crazy.”

Hardy had his eye on the long approach to the final fence after watching Ryan lay down the first double clear round of the day.

“Devin was quick in the jump-off and I figured maybe I could do one less stride to the last jump and go fast without trying to kill ourselves,” he remarked.

While Camelot 105’s ability to cover the ground serves him well, it doesn’t compromise his rideability.

“He’s got good scope and blood, but he goes a little bit like an equitation horse in a classic style.  He’s not running and blazing around,” Hardy described.

The victory marks Hardy’s win at the higher levels, something the pair has been building up to since Hardy imported the eight-year-old Holsteiner by Cassal from Germany last December.

“Peter Wylde found him over in Germany and helped me import him,” said Hardy.  “He started doing some young jumper classes in Florida this past winter and then moved up to the 1.40m and 1.45m classes in Wellington.  He just did his first grand prix in June and was fourth.”

Based out of Newbury Farm in Littleton, MA, Hardy has been pleased with Camelot 105’s quick progress through the show jumping ranks.

“He’s risen to the occasion in every capacity.  The bigger the challenge, the harder he tries,” Hardy commented.  “He’s a class horse.  I think he’s a unique combination of scopey, careful and brave.  You put those together and you have a really nice horse.  I think if he keeps progressing and developing in small steps, we can make him into a really nice horse.”

Based on Camelot 105’s stellar performance in Thursday’s $10,000 Marimekko Welcome Stake, Hardy plans to contest the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix on Saturday, July 20.

“We were playing it by ear depending on how today went, but he jumped so beautifully and handled it with ease,” smiled Hardy.  “As long as they don’t build anything too scary, it will be his first bigger grand prix as a young horse.”

He continued, “Camelot has never let me down.  He’s always risen to the occasion with everything I’ve asked of him, so as long as the Grand Prix is tough but fair, he’ll jump it well.”

Hardy, who will switch gears and compete in week three’s $5,000 NEHJA Hunter Derby, has been attending the Vermont Summer Festival since childhood.  Now a professional, he appreciates the wide range of classes offered at the show for his clients.

“You can bring everything in the barn,” Hardy said.  “We’ve got Camelot’s owners’ son showing the short-stirrup all the way to Grand Prix horses and hunters.  There are all sorts of classes for every horse to do.  It’s very exhibitor-friendly.”

2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the Vermont Summer Festival in its current Manchester area location.  The Vermont Summer Festival offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, is held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby is also held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL).  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Contact:  Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca