July 30, 2006 – East Dorset, Vermont – No stranger to the winner's circle at the Vermont Summer Festival, Jimmy Torano of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, piloted Ralvesther to the win in the $30,000 Mt. Equinox Grand Prix, Sponsored by Equinox Resort & Spa, during Week 3 of the Vermont Summer Festival running July 12 to August 13 in East Dorset, Vermont.

At the beginning of the competition, course designer Pierre Jolicoeur predicted that seven of the 24 entries would leave all of the rails in their cups to advance to the jump-off. His guess was very close, with six managing the feat while 10 other entries had just one rail down to miss making the final cut. Mary Lisa Leffler, a past grand prix winner at the Vermont Summer Festival, left all the rails in place, but exceeded the time allowed of 88 seconds to finish in seventh place overall riding Gerona 92.

First back for the jump-off, Jonathon McCrea riding for Windsor Show Stables of Windsor, CT, set a blistering pace, stopping the timers at 42.36 seconds with Primo. Next to challenge, Kirk Webby's hopes of claiming a Grand Prix victory quickly came to an end when his horse, Sitah, refused the third fence on the shortened jump-off course.

There was a change at the top of the leader board when Torano entered the ring riding Ralvesther. The pair picked up the pace, and were the only combination in the jump-off to take an inside turn to the second-last fence on course. The risk paid off handsomely, making them the new leaders in a time of 40.50 seconds.

The next three challengers were forced to chase Torano. A rail down for Holly Orlando and Great Pleasure kept them out of the running. Alejandro Cespedes and Hibiscus II did manage a clear round, but their time of 44.10 seconds would leave them in third place. The final challenger, Kent Farrington riding Wise Guy, went all out, but their speed cost them a rail. Despite having the fastest time of the day with 39.99 seconds, they were forced to settle for fourth.

And so, just as they had following Week 1's $10,000 Mini Prix, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, Torano and Ralvesther stood in the winner's circle, this time collecting a winner's check of $9,000.

"I thought the course looked easier than it rode, but that's why these course designers are so good, and Pierre did a great job as usual!" praised Torano who was cheered on by his wife, Danielle, from the sidelines. "My mare is fast, and during the first week's grand prix, we had the fastest time but unfortunately had the last fence down to finish third."

Torano has been riding Ralvesther, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Calvaro, since February of this year. She is owned by SCNC Investments Inc., clients of Torano's who purchased the mare in the hopes of reselling her. Torano joked, "I hope they are not in a big rush to sell her now!"

The Torano's and their horses will now enjoy a week's rest at their farm in Pennsylvania. But Torano promises to return for the final week of competition, which features the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix. While he doesn't know which of his many horses he will bring back, he does know that there will be three of them.

Having enjoyed one of the most successful winning streaks in recent years at the Vermont Summer Festival, Torano says, "We love coming here. For the most part, the weather is nice. It is hard to win anywhere, but in Vermont the courses are a little softer and the horses don't have to leave everything in the ring every time out. It is definitely one of our favorite shows."

Featuring more than $650,000 in prize money, the Vermont Summer Festival includes a $10,000 Mini Prix, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, each Friday and, for the first four weeks of competition, a $30,000 Grand Prix every Sunday. The 2006 Vermont Summer Festival closes with the grand finale, the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 13. The Vermont Summer Festival is also 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 2006 Vermont Summer Festival, including full results, please visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

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Rider Horse Faults Time
1. Jimmy Torano Ralvesther 0:0 40.50
2. Jonathon McCrea Primo 0:0 42.36
3. Alejandro Cespedes Hibiscus II 0:0 44.10
4. Kent Farrington Wise Guy 0:4 39.99
5. Holly Orlando Great Pleasure 0:4 45.30
6. Kirk Webby Sitah 0:9 56.05