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Amanda Flint Dominates Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards in Vermont

Amanda Flint topped the $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards, to claim a $5,000 bonus at the 2014 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.
Photo by David Mullinix Photography

August 14, 2014 – East Dorset, VT – Amanda Flint of Long Valley, NJ, topped the $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards at the 2014 Vermont Summer Festival held from July 1 through August 10 at Harold Bebee Farm in East Dorset, VT.

As the leading rider at this year's Vermont Summer Festival, Flint took home $5,000 in the $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards. Jimmy Torano earned $3,000 as the runner-up while Henrik Gundersen was awarded $2,000 for his third place finish in the final standings.

For the past eight years, the Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards have offered $10,000 in bonus money to the top show jumping competitors at the Vermont Summer Festival. Initiated by Raul "Ruly" Torano, uncle of top U.S. grand prix rider Jimmy Torano, the awards now serve as a legacy of his incredible generosity and support for the annual Vermont Summer Festival and the Manchester community at large.

The Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards reward the show jumping riders who consistently place at the top of the three open jumper classes held each week of the Vermont Summer Festival: the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper, the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, and the $30,000/$50,000 Grand Prix. Riders accumulate points by placing in any of the three classes, with the $10,000 in bonus money awarded to the top three finishers at the end of the six-week circuit.

Having dominated the first two weeks of competition, Flint earned 189 points to keep her name at the top of the Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards leaderboard throughout the six-week competition. During opening week, Flint took the top two spots in the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 3, before guiding Superbad to victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, on July 5. Continuing her winning ways, Flint claimed first place in both the $10,000 Vineyard Vines Open Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on July 10, as well as the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, presented by the Inns at Equinox, on Saturday, July 12.

"It definitely makes you want to keep coming back and trying for those classes," said Flint. "A lot of times you just do the grand prix, so it makes you want to keep doing the other classes as well. Having the opportunity to earn a bonus is nice, and we like to choose shows that offer bonuses for that reason."

Coming a close second was past winner, Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with a total of 151 points, helped by the strength of his week five win in the $30,000 Manchester & the Mountains Grand Prix on Saturday, August 2.

Henrik Gundersen rounded out the top three for a $2,000 bonus. The Danish rider was consistent throughout his time in Vermont, including placing fourth in the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix, to secure a total of 128 points for third place.

"The presentation of the Sir Ruly Awards at the end of our summer circuit reminds us of all our fond memories of Ruly Torano supporting his family in the sport he loved," said Ruth Lacey, Marketing Director of the Vermont Summer Festival. "We're grateful that Maria Teresa Torano has continued her support of the Vermont Summer Festival in rewarding our top Grand Prix riders."

The 2015 Vermont Summer Festival returns to Harold Bebee Farm from June 30 through August 9, 2015, and 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 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards Final Standings

RiderPoints
1.Amanda Flint189
2.Jimmy Torano151
3.Henrik Gundersen128

 

 


 
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