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Keri Kampsen On Top in $2,500 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge
at the Vermont Summer Festival

Keri Kampsen and On Top won the $2,500 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge during week three of the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont.
Photo by David Mullinix Photography

July 21, 2011 – East Dorset, VT – Keri Kampsen and Two Goals Farm’s On Top wowed the crowd by turning in a score of 94 to win the $2,500 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge held July 21 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont.  The six-week equestrian competition is taking place at Harold Beebe Farm from July 6 through August 14, 2011.
 
Kampsen, a professional rider with many wins to her credit, navigated the handy hunter course with aplomb, not letting the windy conditions or the imposing natural fences deter her or On Top in the slightest.  The wind, while bothersome to some of the competitors, kept the day from being the true scorcher that the weathermen all promised.  On Top showed the form and style over the fences that has garnered many awards, and Kampsen could not have been prouder of her horse.
 
“We just moved back here from California,” said Kampsen.  “I started working with Valerie Renihan after Florida.  I just started showing again three weeks ago because I broke my sternum in August at Menlo, so this is a really nice, friendly way to get going again.”
 
During week two, Kampsen finished second to 11-year-old McKayla Langmeier riding Czar Z in the popular $5,000 Hunter Derby.
 
“Last week was really spooky as well, but I think they did a great job with obstacles,” said Kampsen.  “The last time I was in Vermont was 1998, I think.  A long time ago, and everything has changed so much.  I have really had a good time.”
 
Speaking of On Top, Kampsen continued, “On Top has won a few Derbies with me.  We were second last week in the Hunter Derby here in Vermont and now this win; it is so nice.  He is just incredible.  He is always the same and I can always depend on him.  That is why I was happy to start showing again.  He also just got a new job with my fiancé - Will does the Adult hunters and equitation with him after 12 years of not showing.  On Top truly is a family horse.”
 
The USHJA World Champion Hunter Rider Program was founded in 1995 to recognize and celebrate the hunter rider.  Since the inaugural World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals in 1995, the WCHR program has expanded to include coveted year-end awards for Professionals, Emerging Professionals, Amateur Owners, Amateur Adults, Juniors, Children and Pony riders.  WCHR Program Members qualify for National and Regional Awards by earning points at Member Events held across the country throughout the qualifying year.  Points from a rider’s top four WCHR Member Events will be used to determine the National and Regional standings. Each year the top ten nationally ranked riders and top six regionally ranked riders in each category, come together to compete in the WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD.  This year’s Capital Challenge Horse Show takes place October 3-9, 2011.  For more information, visit www.capitalchallenge.org.
 
Offering more than $750,000 in prize money, the Vermont Summer Festival is the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.  The first five Sundays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix at 1 p.m., culminating with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 14.  In addition to the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, held each Friday, the weekly $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame
 
The third week of the Vermont Summer Festival concludes on Sunday, July 24, with the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix, Presented by Devoucoux, at 1 p.m.
 
Competition begins at 8 a.m. daily, Wednesday through Sunday.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, Wednesday through Saturday.  On Grand Prix Sunday, admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children.  As always, 100 percent of the gate proceeds benefit the Friends Foundation for MEMS, (Manchester Elementary and Middle School).
 
For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region each summer.  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail: info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

$2,500 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge - July 21, 2011
Rider
Horse
First Round
1.
Keri Kampsen On Top
94
2.
Genevieve Zock HH Confession
92
3. Caitlin Venezia Preston
89
4. Jimmy Toon Invincible
84
5. Katie Tyler Galliard
80
6. Megan Young Mango
78
7. Heather Squires Bagard Bob
77
8 Ramsay Hanson Intuition
70

 

 


 
Starting Gate Communications is one of the world’s largest full-service public relations companies specializing in equestrian sport, particularly the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, show jumping and three day eventing. With a wide variety of promotional services offered, Starting Gate Communications can spread the news about everything from horse show results to breeding information to product development. Simply put, if your business includes the horse industry, we will get you the recognition you deserve.
 

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