Shane and Kaley Pratt won the $15,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, Presented by Parlanti, on Sunday, August 14, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont.. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

August 15, 2011 – East Dorset, Vermont – Kaley Pratt of Gainesville, Florida, piloted Shane to victory in the $15,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, Presented by Parlanti, on Sunday, August 14, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.
 
Of the more than 70 that qualified, a total of 42 entries attempted to take the top check of $4,500 and a pair of Parlanti riding boots.  From the 42-horse starting field, 20 horse-rider combinations successfully navigated course designer Chris Brandt’s tricky turns and broken lines without fault to advance to the jump-off.
 
The jump-off made good use of those turns, with a fence on the center line facing the ingate that caused many problems.  Some riders tried to angle the fence just a bit too much, resulting in refusals and run-outs.
 
As riders went into the ring in reverse order of qualifying, Pratt and Shane were the 18th pair to return in the jump-off, giving Pratt ample opportunity to watch several others attempt the shortened jump-off track.  When Pratt entered the ring and approached the first fence with Shane, the little bay dug into the ground and then flew between fences for a clear round in a time of 32.34 seconds to take over the lead from Jack Morgan riding Warhol, who had crossed the timers in 34.12 seconds.  Pratt then had to wait for the top two qualified combinations to take the field.
 
Nina Montross riding Nerrazzuro had her trainer, Jimmy Torano, jumping up and down and yelling at the ingate as they powered around the course in a time of 30.20 seconds, but a rail at 10b gave them a final score of four faults.
 
Alyssa Kinsey and Grisset were the last pair on course.  They looked to be unbeatable as they left out strides and powered through the turns, but fence 10b would be their downfall as well.  Their final time of 29.67 seconds was the fastest of the class, but a score of four faults meant victory was unattainable.  The pair finished in tenth place.
 
“I got Shane about two and a half years ago and we started out learning how to do the jumpers,” said Pratt of the horse owned by Hillary Simpson.  “Well, I started out learning how to do the jumpers.  He taught me how to turn.  I had hunters for most of my junior career, and the last two years I had a jumper but I rode him more like an equitation horse, so Shane has been my teacher.
 
“I stopped riding for about five years, my parents sold all my horses and I went to college, but I connected with Rolling Acres and Patty Foster after that and got back into it,” continued Pratt.  “Shane is only 16 hands and so it is easy to turn, as long as I get him to a spot where he can jump.  He makes it easy and he loves it.”
 
Pratt continued, “I actually run a Hippotherapy Center at home in Gainesville.  It is so rewarding to be able to help people with horses, so I have the best job.  I can ride and I can help – all with the horses.”
 
The $15,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, Presented by Parlanti, was held on the final day of the 2011 Vermont Summer Festival.  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.
 
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.