Darragh Kenny of Ireland receives his bonus from the Torano family for topping the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., at the conclusion of the 2011 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT.. Photo by David Mullinix Photography

August 23, 2011 – East Dorset, VT— Ireland’s Darragh Kenny topped the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., at the conclusion of the 2011 Vermont Summer Festival held July 6 to August 14 in East Dorset, VT
 
The $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., now serves as a legacy and reminder of Raul ‘Ruly’ Torano’s generosity and commitment to show jumping excellence, both at the Vermont Summer Festival and to the sport as a whole.
 
Kenny dominated the race for the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards throughout the Vermont Summer Festival, amassing an impressive 252 points to claim the winner’s portion of $5,000 in bonus money at the end of the six-week competition.
 
Kenny had an impressive string of horses to draw upon for the six weeks of the Vermont Summer Festival.  Bazooka de Muze won the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, Presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, on Sunday, July 17.  Castello won the $10,000 Giorgio Armani Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Friday, July 29.  Obelix won the $10,000 Kenneth Cole Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, August 4, and the $30,000 Manchester and the Mountains Grand Prix, Presented by Hand Motors, on Sunday, August 7.  Wannahave won the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Friday, August 12.  For a grand finale, Kenny and Obelix won the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix, Presented by Purina Feeds, on August 14 to close out the 2011 Vermont Summer Festival and secure top spot in the Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc.
 
“It was absolutely fantastic to win this,” said Kenny, 23, who rides for Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run in Warren, Vermont.  “Vermont is always a special show for me.  The owners of these horses have given me a unique gift; they are all brilliant horses and every day they try.  They work hard for me and they suit me.  They are just great, great horses.  I am so lucky to have been given the opportunity to get on them, and what they have done for me over the weeks here in Vermont is amazing.”
 
Kenny added, “For the Torano family to give this award each year shows their dedication to show jumping.”
 
Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey, finished second in the standings to earn a $3,000 bonus.  Ryan competed during the first two weeks of the Vermont Summer Festival.  Dominating the first week, Ryan and No Worries won the $10,000 Vermont Bird Place Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, while Roman Saluut was his mount for victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix, Presented by The Equinox Resort and Spa.
 
Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, was third overall in the standings to win a $2,000 cash bonus.  While Torano had no major victories, he enjoyed consistent placings throughout the six-week circuit with new string of talented young horses.
 
Riders earned points towards the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., by placing in the top eight of Level 7 Open Speed classes, Level 8 Open Jumper classes, and the Open Jumper Welcome Stake classes.  In Sunday’s grand prix events, points were awarded to the top 12 finishers.
 
For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region each summer.  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.  For more information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail: info@vt-summerfestival.com or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.

$10,000 Open Jumper High Score Award, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc.