Kimberly Tobias and Vipman W won the 1.10 meter jumper class on Thursday, July 29, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

July 29, 2010 – East Dorset, Vermont – Kimberly Tobias was very proud of her young jumper Vipman W, as she left the ring with the top prize in the 1.10 meter jumper class on Thursday, July 29, at the Vermont Summer Festival, held at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Tobias, 28, from New York, NY, has been showing at the Vermont Summer Festival for the past three years under the tutelage of trainer Kim Pearlman.

“Kim turned me onto this show when I started riding with him,” said Tobias. “I got this horse when he was five going on six and now, at eight, he is getting so good. This is the best show I think I’ve ever been to. I have a lot of fun here. It is a great facility, they take very good care of the footing, the courses are very enticing; all around, it is just very nice. Vipman was so good today; he won his 1.10 meter class for the first time in preparation for the Adult Jumpers on Saturday.”

Chase Boggio, 17, of Canton, GA, is proving to be the heir apparent in the equitation ring at the Vermont Summer Festival. Since arriving on the show grounds for week two, he has amassed an impressive record of wins. During week two alone, he was named the Best Junior Rider on a Horse, won the USEF Medal class and was second in the USEF Talent Search.

During week three of the Vermont Summer Festival, he took top honors riding Massimo in the USEF Talent Search and the WIHS Overall competition, and also placed fourth in the USEF Medal class.

This week, Boggio again emerged victorious in the WIHS Overall standings, winning the Jumper Phase and placing second in the Hunter Phase. All of these accolades have been accomplished while keeping up a demanding showing schedule in both the Jumper and Hunter rings.

Sylvia DeToledo, 15, tried to knock Boggio from the top spot in the WIHS class, winning the Hunter Phase with Brianne Link’s Spock, an eight-year-old bay gelding. While she was not successful, she did beat out 25 other competitors for the top award in the USEF Medal class. DeToledo of New York, NY, who rides with Jimmy Toon at JT Farm, has been a consistent face in the winner’s circle since her debut on ponies. Despite his young age, her mount, Spock, is no stranger to the equitation ring, having taken riders around the ring in the ASPCA Maclay Finals, the WIHS Finals and the USEF Medal Finals in 2009.

*SCHEDULE CHANGE*
*There has been a schedule change for Sunday, August 1. The $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 1, followed by the NAL Junior/Amateur Owner Low Classic and the Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic. The Leadline class will be contested at 12:45 p.m. immediately followed by the Low Children’s Adult Jumper Classic.*

The fourth of six weeks of competition comprising the Vermont Summer Festival is highlighted by the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix, *beginning at 9 a.m.* on Sunday, August 1. Located at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children Wednesday through Saturday. On Grand Prix Sunday, admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. All gate proceeds benefit Manchester Elementary-Middle School (MEMS).

Running July 7 through August 15, 2010, the Vermont Summer Festival offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival culminates with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 15. 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.