Charlie Jacobs and Leap of Joy won the $10,000 Betsey Johnson Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Friday, July 30, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

July 30, 2010 – East Dorset, Vermont – Charlie Jacobs of Boston, MA, continued his family’s domination in the Grand Prix ring at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT, with his victory aboard Leap Of Joy in the $10,000 Betsey Johnson Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets.

Jacobs and Leap Of Joy were one of 15 horse and rider combinations who vied for the lead over the course designed by Conrad Homfeld. Only four riders managed to post clear rounds over the technical first round of competition to advance into the jump-off round against the clock. Without ever seeming to push Leap Of Joy, a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Jacobs turned in a time of 40.396 seconds over the weaving seven element course to claim victory.

“Louis went home this week, so I suppose it was our turn to step up,” said Jacobs, referring to his brother’s previous week’s wins in the Welcome Stake. “This is only his second show where he has jumped higher than the High Amateurs, so I am very pleased. I got him last fall, so he is a new horse for me. I showed him in the Amateurs in Lake Placid just to make sure he was comfortable and he was champion there. We came here last week and had an accident, but he came back and he is fine.

“He jumped well and Conrad did a lovely job with the course,” Jacobs continued. “I know that with Conrad’s history, and him being such a lovely rider for so many years, he understands firsthand what the challenges are going to be for the horse and rider, and designs his courses appropriately. It doesn’t mean that he is going to put them to the top of the standards; it means that he is going to ask the right questions. And that is what I love about his courses. I would follow him around the country to jump his courses.”

Jacobs is a principal of his family’s Delaware North Companies, Inc. and the Boston Bruins, and is a true amateur rider, commuting to the horse show from his home in Boston. He says, “My family is up here, and we just have a great time.”

Linda Sheridan of Ringoes, NJ, brought Maarten, owned by Newsprint Farm and Glynwood Stables, to the ring and walked away with second place. Their double clear rounds, in a time of 41.796 seconds, was not fast enough to catch Jacobs.

“I really wanted this win,” said Sheridan. “I wanted the Betsey Johnson Gift Certificate.”

Third place went to Danielle Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and the seven-year-old, Liverpool. The handsome grey was faultless over the fences in a time of 45.118 seconds. Liverpool is another of the new youngsters that have recently joined the Torano’s JET stable and his performance and results improve each time out.

Chase Boggio of Canton, GA, improved on his performance of last week with a fourth place finish on Hennessey. Clear in the first round, Hennessey knocked down a rail in the jump-off, but as one of only four clear in the first round, they were still pleased with the performance.

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.

$10,000 Betsey Johnson Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets