Addison Phillips riding Teirra won the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix at the 2010 Vermont Summer Festival. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

June 27, 2011 – East Dorset, Vermont – The annual Vermont Summer Festival horse show once again returns to East Dorset, Vermont, for six consecutive weeks of show jumping competition running July 6 through August 14, 2011.
 
New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition, the 2011 Vermont Summer Festival attracts the best athletes, including Olympic medalists, from across the country and around the globe to vie for top honors.  With more than $750,000 in prize money, it is the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.
 
The Equinox Resort and Spa will be celebrating its 10th year as a Grand Prix sponsor, presenting the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix on Sunday, July 10.  The $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix kicks off the first of five $30,000 Grand Prix events to be held each Sunday during the first five weeks of competition, culminating with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 14.
 
"The Equinox is delighted and proud to once again sponsor the Vermont Summer Festival,” said Michael Chagnon, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Equinox.  “We are excited to welcome our friends from the horse show and for them to experience all of the amenities of our resort, including the spa, golf course, restaurant and tavern.”
 
The official horse transportation company of the Vermont Summer Festival, Johnson Horse Transportation, will be sponsoring the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix during week two.
 
Week three’s grand prix, the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix, will see the return of another longtime sponsor, Devoucoux.
 
“We are thrilled to have Devoucoux as the presenting sponsor of the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix during the third week of the show,” said Ruth Lacey, Marketing Director for the Vermont Summer Festival.  “This is the sixth year that the custom saddle maker has been a grand prix sponsor, and we very much appreciate their support.”
 
The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix during the sixth week of the show is being sponsored by Purina Horse Feed for the second consecutive year.

 “Our relationship with Purina stemmed directly from our customer requests,” stated Lacey. “We're pleased that Purina is once again supporting our event, and excited to be able to offer such highly regarded horse feed to the equine athletes competing here.”

The sixth and final week of competition will feature the $15,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic sponsored by Parlanti.  The Italian boot maker will be one of several vendors, including fellow sponsor Devoucoux, who will have an on-site boutique for the duration of the Vermont Summer Festival.  Competitors and spectators alike will be able to browse, purchase and enjoy the wares of some of the equestrian world’s finest craftsmen.
 
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 will also be held.
 
Hunter competitors will enjoy time in the spotlight with the introduction of a $5,000 3'3" Hunter Derby which will be held every week with the exception of week three.  During week three, running July 20 to 24, the $2,500 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge will be held, which acts as a World Championship Hunter Rider qualifying event.
 
For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region.  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.
 
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.