August 11, 2006 – East Dorset, Vermont – Shaine Brooks of Albany, New York, claimed her first win riding Equifit Pizarro in the $10,000 Georgio Armani General Store Mini Prix, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on August 11 during the final week of the Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show running July 12 to August 13 in East Dorset, Vermont.

The lucky number of the day seemed to be 21, as 21 entries attempted the track set by course designer Conrad Homfeld, and it was 21-year-old Brooks who emerged the winner. Only three riders managed to solve the first round test to advance to the jump-off. The first jump-off challenger, Keri Potter, posted a double clear round in a time of 44.13 seconds riding her own Rockford I. Her lead was short-lived as Brooks shaved a few fractions off Potter's time, clocking in at 44.09 seconds. The final challenger, Linda Sheridan riding Holography for owner Newsprint Farm, sped around the course on her handy bay, but at the final obstacle, a double combination, the pair had a knock down. At 40.11 seconds, Sheridan had the fastest jump-off time by almost four seconds, but the dropped rail left her in third place.

The victory marked the first for Brooks since being paired with Equifit Pizarro this winter while competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. An experienced grand prix horse, the 16-year-old Equifit Pizarro is now carrying Brooks to her first year of grand prix competition.

"He is amazing!" praised Brooks, who also gave thanks to Equifit's Pizarro's owner, Alexandra Cherubini of ABC Limited. "He is a very quiet horse, but as soon as he goes into the ring, he starts snorting because he is so excited! He loves it."

Brooks didn't let her nerves get in the way when she tackled the jump-off track. "I was worried that I was going to go off course because I don't do many jump-off's," she laughed.

Thankfully, Brooks stayed the course to win $3,000 in prize money as well as a $1,000 gift check for the Georgio Armani General Store Outlet in Manchester, Vermont. It was a win her trainer, Monty Kelly, who also happens to be her older brother, was proud of!

Taking fourth and fifth place in the final standings with the two fastest four fault efforts was Jimmy Torano. The winner of Week 3's $30,000 Mt. Equinox Grand Prix, Sponsored by Equinox Resort & Spa, Torano will be hoping for better luck on Sunday when the 2006 Vermont Summer Festival concludes with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix.


Featuring more than $650,000 in prize money, the Vermont Summer Festival includes a $10,000 Mini Prix each Friday and, for the first four weeks of competition, a $30,000 Sunday Grand Prix. 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. Shaine Brooks Equifit Pizarro 0:0 44.09
2. Keri Potter Rockford I 0:0 44.13
3. Linda Sheridan Holography 0:4 40.11
4. Jimmy Torano Lerona 4
5. Jimmy Torano Aguila 4
6. Libby McKinney Gun du Desfi 4
7. Linda Sheridan Invitational 4
8. Lauren Hough Rodos 4