February 28, 2006 – East Dorset, Vermont – The Vermont Summer Festival is set to return to East Dorset, VT, for five weeks of show jumping competition from July 12 to August 13, 2006.

Offering over $600,000 in prize money, the Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest “AA” rated hunter/jumper horse show and takes place at Harold Beebe Farm, just outside of the Village of Manchester. Once again, competition in the Grand Prix ring will include a $10,000 Mini Prix each Friday, and, for the first four weeks of competition, a $30,000 Sunday Grand Prix. The 2006 Vermont Summer Festival closes with the grand finale, the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 13.

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 that determines which competitors qualify to compete at the 2006 National Horse Show. There will also be Marshall & Sterling League and North American League (NAL) Child/Adult Classics and Open Speed classes.

As always, the Vermont Summer Festival is committed to giving its competitors access to the most respected officials in the business. This year’s Grand Prix course designers will be Anthony D’Ambrosio, Michel Vaillancourt, Pierre Jolicoeur, Kenny Krome and Conrad Homfeld. The roster of hunter, equitation and jumper judges includes Scott Snowden, Mike Christian, Kip Rosenthal, Scott Fitton, Margie Hough, Jimmy Lee, Jerre Frankhouser, Kim Ablon Whitney, Matt Collins, Jeff Wirthman, Joe Darby, Betsy Hoppel-Perry, Carl Hansen, Linda Andrisani, Brian Lenehan, Randy Mullins, and Kenny Krome. Show Manager, William Glass, keeps a close watch over the horse show, ensuring that the Vermont Summer Festival is one of the smoothest run in the country.

In addition to offering exhibitors a high quality horse show, the nearby village of Manchester provides a wide array of quaint and comfortable lodgings, restaurants to suit every taste, and shopping adventures at outlet stores and shops offering wares unique to Vermont.

“I think a horse show that puts the exhibitors needs first, combined with the endless amenities of the Manchester area, is what keeps everyone coming back year after year,” says Dotty Ammerman, Executive Director of the Vermont Summer Festival. “Our exhibitor’s parties are a weekly highlight, and the charm and hospitality of Manchester truly makes the horse show experience a special one.”

For more information on the 2006 Vermont Summer Festival, or to download or request a prize list, please e-mail: info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.