Nina Montross and Voigtsdorfs Ohio won the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic on Saturday, July 30, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

July 30, 2011 – East Dorset, Vermont – Nina Montross won and placed second in the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic, a qualifying competition for the $15,000 Vermont Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, presented by Parlanti.  The $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic was held Saturday, July 30, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont.
 
Montross, who hails from Bedford Hills, New York, is a seasoned competitor, despite her young age of 12.  Starting out with pony hunters, Montross has always had her eye on the jumper ring.  She had great success with her pony jumper and has now made a successful transition from pony jumpers into the children’s jumper division.
 
Montross rode Voigtsdorfs Ohio, an eight-year-old Holsteiner mare, to double clear rounds to take the blue ribbon, beating herself by almost four seconds with her other mount, Nerazzuro.
 
“I just got Ohio at the end of the Winter Equestrian Festival,” said a happy Montross, referring to the 12-week competition held January to April in Wellington, Florida.  “I just love her; she is so good and so fast.”
 
Even though their partnership is new, the pair has placed in numerous classes in the Children’s Jumper division at several major horse shows, including the Winter Equestrian Federation, HITS and Lake Placid.
 
“I’ve been with Jimmy for over a year, and it is so much fun and I am learning so much,” said Montross of her coach and trainer, well-known grand prix competitor Jimmy Torano.
 
The $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic, also a qualifying competition for the $15,000 Vermont Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, presented by Parlanti, had an expected outcome as Alyssa Kinsey and her extraordinary mare, Grisset, turned in the fastest jump-off round of the day to win in decisive fashion.
 
“I hung on to first place for a while,” said Kim Tobias, who had been leading with her Vipman W until Kinsey and Grisset entered the ring.  “When she is on, she is impossible to beat, but I rode well and my horse was great; he has never turned like that before.  So even though I didn’t win, I had a great day.”
 
Kinsey, who ships in to compete at the Vermont Summer Festival, had a chance to test drive the jump-off course with her first mount, so was well prepared to challenge the leader.  Grisset did not let her rider down, turning on a dime to shave precious seconds off the time.  The pair has a well-deserved reputation for consistent performances and blazing fast times.
 
Although Kinsey won the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic, Tobias remains at the top of the qualifying standings, just ahead of Kinsey, for the $15,000 Vermont Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, presented by Parlanti.
 
Offering more than $750,000 in prize money, the Vermont Summer Festival is the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.  The first five Sundays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix at 1 p.m., culminating with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 14.  In addition to the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, held each Friday, the weekly $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Classics are hotly contested. New for 2011, the Vermont Summer Festival will host a $5,000 Hunter Derby each Thursday five of the six weeks.
 
Competition begins at 8 a.m. daily, Wednesday through Sunday.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, Wednesday through Saturday.  On Grand Prix Sunday, admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children.  As always, 100 percent of the gate proceeds benefit the Friends Foundation for MEMS, (Manchester Elementary and Middle School).
 
For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region each summer.  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail: info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.