Amanda Steege, pictured here riding Harvard during the 2009 Vermont Summer Festival, will be among the contenders vying for the WCHR Award during the third week of competition at this year’s Vermont Summer Festival. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

May 14 , 2010 – East Dorset, Vermont – The Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show, held from July 7 to August 15 in East Dorset, VT, was recently selected by the American Hunter Jumper Federation (AHJF) to host a World Championship Hunter Rider Event (WCHR) during the third week of competition.

The World Championship Hunter Rider Event will be held during the third week of the Vermont Summer Festival, which is titled ‘The Manchester Classic’ and runs July 21-25. Divisions offered include Professional, Emerging Professional, Junior, Amateur-Owner, Adult-Amateur and Pony.

WCHR qualifying events will be held at various competitions throughout the season. Riders may count their best four results towards qualifying for the final event, hosted by the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD, from October 4-10, 2010.

Each year, the American Hunter Jumper Foundation (AHJF) Board of Directors vote for WCHR qualifying events based on a set of almost 20 rigorous criteria. In order for an event to be considered for inclusion, it must attract top competitors, judges and officials; maintain excellent footing for the equine competitors; and have ample spectator parking and seating.

“We are thrilled to be chosen to host one of the WCHR qualifying events,” said William Glass, Technical Coordinator of the Vermont Summer Festival. “I am confident that we can rise to the occasion and attract top quality hunter competition.”

The Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show, which runs for six consecutive weeks and was recently named a ‘Top Ten Summer Event’ by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, is the richest sporting event based on purse in the state, offering more than $750,000 in prize money. The new WCHR designation will lend new prestige to an already highly anticipated event.

The first five Sundays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix, culminating with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 15. Weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake classes, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, and weekly $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Classics are also hotly contested.

The Vermont Summer Festival will once again offer the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Award, sponsored by Sir Ruly, Inc. to recognize those dedicated riders that perform consistently throughout competition. For the large number of Canadian contenders who travel to Vermont each year, there is a $10,000 Canadian Circuit Championship, presented by Ariat, Int’l. Both awards are based on points earned throughout the six-week Vermont Summer Festival. Additional sponsors such as Purina Feed , Johnson Horse Transportation, Devoucoux, The Equinox Resort, Essex Classic Shirts and Hand Motors help recognize the achievements of the Vermont Summer Festival competitors.

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 and to download a copy of the 2010 prize list, please e-mail: info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

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