Ireland’s Darragh Kenny dominated last year’s Vermont Summer Festival, winning several events including the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, Presented by Devoucoux, riding Palona. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

March 12, 2010 – East Dorset, Vermont – The annual Vermont Summer Festival will return to East Dorset, Vermont, for six consecutive weeks of competition running July 7 through August 15, 2010.

New England’s largest “AA” rated hunter/jumper horse show, the Vermont Summer Festival offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state. The competition attracts the best athletes, including Olympic medalists, from across the country and around the globe to vie for top honors.

The first five Sundays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix, culminating with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 15. Weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake classes, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, and weekly $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Classics are also hotly contested.

New for 2010, the Vermont Summer Festival will host a World Championship Hunter Rider qualifying event during week three. And hunter competitors at this year’s Vermont Summer Festival can also look forward to a new 3’3” Pre-Green Division, and separate divisions for 18 to 35 and 36+ in the Low Amateur Owner Hunter division.

The Vermont Summer Festival prides itself on hiring the best course designers in the business to set the tracks in the all-weather grand prix ring. Anthony D’Ambrosio, course designer for the 2009 World Cup Final, will take his turn, as will Jamie Alder, Eric Hasbrouck, Ken Krome, and popular Canadian course designers Chris Brandt and Michel Vaillancourt.

Traditionally a five-week circuit, the Vermont Summer Festival expanded to a six-week format in 2007, a brave move which met with positive feedback from competitors and local area businesses alike. Now in its fourth year of offering six consecutive weeks of high quality competition, the Vermont Summer Festival continues to attract exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region.

“We pride ourselves on listening to our exhibitors and are constantly striving to make their showing experience the best it can be,” said Ruth Lacey, Vermont Summer Festival Marketing Director. “Whether it is on-site enhancements such as our new scenic hunter ring, or offering new divisions and year-end qualifiers, our focus is ultimately on producing the best all-around event for our equestrian customers. When coupled with the fact that the Manchester area features something for everyone; recreation, shopping, and beautiful natural surroundings, we believe that the Vermont Summer Festival offers the best all-around showing experience.”

Well-known for its wide variety of area amenities including a large range of lodging options, restaurants to suit every taste, and lots of shopping, Manchester warmly welcomes horse show competitors to the area each summer, making the Vermont Summer Festival a popular destination with its clientele.

Rewarding those exhibitors who consistently enjoy success while making Manchester their ‘home away from home’, the Vermont Summer Festival will once again offer the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Award, sponsored by Sir Ruly, Inc. In recognition of the large number of Canadian competitors that visit Vermont each year, there is the $10,000 Canadian Circuit Championship, presented by Ariat, Int’l. Both awards are based on points earned throughout the six-week Vermont Summer Festival. Additional sponsors such as Purina Feeds, Johnson Horse Transportation, Devoucoux, The Equinox, Essex Classic Shirts and Hand Motors help make the Vermont Summer Festival a worthwhile experience.

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.