Chloe Simon and Arabeska won the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic on Saturday, August 14, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

August 14, 2010 – East Dorset, Vermont – Chloe Simon, 15, of Port Washington, Long Island, NY, won the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic on Saturday, August 14, at the Vermont Summer Festival held at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Simon and Arabeska, a Polish-bred mare, turned in one of nine clear rounds before repeating their faultless performance with the fastest time to claim the win.

“I have been riding since I was six or seven,” said Simon. “I started competing when I was eight in the short stirrup and worked up to this, and I enjoy winning!”

Of her winning mount, Simon said, “Arabeska came over from Poland in March. I went to go look at her in Poland and I didn’t like her, I didn’t even video her, but then when she came over I rode her again and I really liked her, so I leased my own horse and now I am leasing her. She is great. Once you figure out how to ride her she is really fun.”

Simon didn’t let the pressure get to her, although she admitted, “I was so nervous going in, I was shaking. The fences looked kind of big. I don’t like walking courses, it makes me nervous, but I ride better under pressure. In the jump-off I was fine, though. Some of the turns were a little risky, but they were good. Sometimes I just go in and wish for the best, and today she was really good.”

Alissa Kinsey and the amazing Grisset added yet another win to their outstanding record by taking first place in the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic. Of the six weeks that Kinsey and Grisset competed at the Vermont Summer Festival, there was only one week where they did not claim a win. Going into Sunday’s $15,000 Vermont Celebration Children’s Adult Jumper Classic, Kinsey and Grisset carry the most total clear rounds with ten to their credit.

The Marshall & Sterling Children’s and Adult Jumper Classics were the last opportunity for riders to qualify for the $15,000 Vermont Celebration Children’s Adult Classic, held on the final day of competition.

The sixth and final week of the Vermont Summer Festival culminates with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix, Presented by Purina, on Sunday, August 15. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas will present the awards to the winner. Located at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children on Grand Prix Sunday. All gate proceeds benefit Manchester Elementary-Middle School (MEMS).

Running July 7 through August 15, 2010, 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 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.