Riders and horses prepare to compete on the first day of the six-week Vermont Summer Festival held July 11 to August 19 in East Dorset, Vermont. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

July 11, 2007 – East Dorset, Vermont – The 2007 Vermont Summer Festival opened on Wednesday, July 11, at the Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, Vermont. The six-week hunter/jumper competition runs until August 19 and features the world's top equestrian athletes competing amid the picturesque Green Mountains.

The first week of competition, the 'Vermont Summer Special' held July 11-15, kicked off with hunter and jumper competition on Wednesday. Professional hunter divisions will award championships on Thursday while junior hunters conclude on Friday. Adult, children’s, and pony hunter classes will run throughout the weekend. Feature classes include the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Friday afternoon and the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 15.

The show grounds boast five all-weather rings including one of the largest grand prix fields in New England. For the comfort of the exhibitors, the riding area has been expanded and a new schooling ring near the stabling tents has been added. There are several all-weather schooling rings and riding areas, as well as permanent wash racks, paddocks and extended trails.

Those participating in the competition have a variety of divisions to choose from. Classes range from Maiden Equitation to Amateur-Owner Hunters with everything in between. The Vermont Summer Festival is host to North American League/WIHS qualifying classes for Children’s/Adult hunters and jumpers, as well as Show Jumping Hall of Fame classes for junior/amateur jumpers. Each Sunday, there is a Grand Prix beginning at 2 p.m. that offers $30,000 in prize money for the first five weeks and, for the sixth and final week, $50,000 in prize money is on the line.

For the first time, the Vermont Summer Festival is pleased to offer live video streaming of all five competition rings for those who cannot attend the horse show in person. Visit www.livebroadcast.tv or www.vt-summerfestival.com for more information.

In addition to top-caliber competition, the setting in Manchester offers numerous opportunities for equestrians to have fun away from the show grounds. Gourmet restaurants, charming lodging and numerous shopping options including the Manchester Designer Outlets are just an example of what the area has to offer.

New England’s largest “AA” rated hunter/jumper horse show, the Vermont Summer Festival offers over $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event in the state of Vermont. For more information on the 2007 Vermont Summer Festival please visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.