April 11, 2013 – East Dorset, Vermont – The Vermont Summer Festival will put Thoroughbreds in the spotlight by adding TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper Thoroughbred divisions to its impressive line-up of competition.  Held at Harold Beebe farm in East Dorset, VT, the Vermont Summer Festival, running July 2 through August 11, is the richest sporting event based on purse in Vermont with more than $750,000 in prize money.

The TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Divisions will be featured during weeks two, three, and four of the Vermont Summer Festival and will include a $1,500 Hunter Division and a $1,000 Jumper Division.  The TAKE2 program, which features Thoroughbred-only divisions at select shows across the United States, was designed to promote second careers for retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

“We’re excited to have the TAKE2 program as part of our horse show,” said Billy Glass, Technical Director of the Vermont Summer Festival and Show Manager at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.  “I’m old enough to remember when the Thoroughbred was the vehicle of choice in the hunter/jumper industry.  Historically, the Thoroughbred has been the Cadillac in the show ring.  They can be more difficult in temperament, but when you get a good one, they can turn out to be a great one. It’s great to see them making a comeback.”

Initiated in 2012, the TAKE2 program offers year-end awards for its High-Point Hunter and High-Point Jumper with the divisions at the Vermont Summer Festival counting for valuable points.  The classes, open to raced and unraced Thoroughbreds eligible to be registered with the Jockey Club, will be offered at 50 A and AA rated horse shows in 2013.  The TAKE2 Hunter and TAKE2 Jumper accumulating the most points will each receive an award of $1,500 and a TAKE2 cooler.

This year’s TAKE2 High-Point Jumper Award will be presented at the Kentucky National Horse Show held September 18-22 while the TAKE2 High-Point Hunter will be awarded during the Capital Challenge Horse Show held October 1-6 in Upper Marlboro, MD.

For more information about the TAKE2 program, please visit www.take2tbreds.com.

For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont.  Known for its wide variety of area amenities including a large range of lodging options, restaurants to suit every taste, outdoor activities, and lots and lots of shopping, Manchester-area businesses warmly welcome horse show competitors to the area each summer.

The first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival will feature a $30,000 Grand Prix.  The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held during the sixth and final week on Saturday, August 10.  The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, will be held each Thursday.  The hugely popular $5,000 3’3” Hunter Derby will also be held each Thursday for the first five weeks, with week six featuring the $15,000 Hunter Derby.

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.