The Vermont Summer Festival will return to East
Dorset, Vermont, for six consecutive weeks of competition running July 4
through August 12, 2012. The beautiful Green Mountains is home to New England’s largest hunter/jumper
competition. The equestrian event will offer more than
$750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on
purse in the state of Vermont.
New for 2012, the first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival
will feature a $30,000 Grand Prix. During week six, the $50,000
Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, August
11. The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester
Designer Outlets, will now be held each Thursday.
For junior and amateur show jumping competitors, a $10,000
Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic will be the highlight each week, while week
six will feature a $15,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic.
Hunter competitors will enjoy more time in the spotlight in 2012.
The hugely popular $5,000 3'3" Hunter Derby will be held each Thursday
for the first five weeks, and week three is a World Championship Hunter
Rider (WCHR) member event. Based on the tremendous success of the
hunter derbies during their inaugural year in 2011, Vermont Summer
Festival show organizers have added a $15,000 Hunter Derby for week six,
sponsored by Vermont-based equestrian luggage manufacturer, Oughton
Lmited. In order to qualify for the $15,000 Hunter Derby, the rider or
owner must compete in one of the $5,000 3'3" Hunter Derbies during the
first five weeks of competition.
The Vermont Summer Festival prides itself on using the best course
designers in the business to set the tracks in the all-weather grand
prix ring. Popular Canadian course designers Chris Brandt and Olympic
Individual Silver Medalist Michel Vaillancourt will return in 2012, as
will Alan Wade of Ireland. American course designers Eric Hasbrouck,
Ken Krome and Steve Stephens will each have a week in the grand prix
ring.
For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted
exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern
Vermont. Known for its wide variety of area amenities including a large
range of lodging options, restaurants to suit every taste, outdoor
activities, and lots and lots of shopping, Manchester-area businesses
warmly welcome horse show competitors to the area each summer.
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, visit http://www.vt-summerfestival.com
Photo Credit: – David Mullinix Photography
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