Waitsfield, VT-August 7, 2000-Ian Silitch of Sperryville, VA won the $30,000 Sugarbush Grand Prix, July 2-6 to highlight the Vermont Summer Festival's second week in Waitsfield, VT, following two highly successful weeks in Manchester. He rode his horse, Cable Bay, to claim the $9,000 first-place purse.

Silitch was one of only four riders who advanced to the jump-off from a starting field of 20 riders. After finishing second to Mary Lisa Nicholson of Brookeville, MD in last week's grand prix, it was Silitch's turn to claim the win. His clean jump-off time of 38.813 seconds topped Nicholson's time of 39.688 aboard Graf Rossini. Betsy Joyce of Saratoga Springs, NY and Emily Williams of Loveland, OH rode Lady Courzon and Showgirl to a third and fourth place finish, respectively.

Earlier in the week, Silitch dominated the Schooling Jumper division, winning the championship and reserve championship aboard Morroco and Deep Currents, respectively. He also tied for the Preliminary Jumper (High) championship and won reserve honors in the Low Hunter division aboard Jola.

In the Explorer Biolan/NHSF Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, it was Lindsay Dawn Curtis of Needham, MA in the winner's circle for the second consecutive week with her Costello. Brian Walker of Quebec and his Leroy finished second, followed by Rory Hovel Sperryville, VA and In Flight in third.

In other Championship action, James Lala dominated competition, winning the championship and reserve championship in both the Pre-Green and Low Hunter divisions. He also tied for the Warm-Up Jumper championship aboard Johann and won the Baby Green Hunter division with Shameless.

Jennifer Jones continued her winning ways with her victory in the Small Junior Hunter (16/17) division riding Surprise. She also took home top honors in the Large Junior Hunter (16/17) division, winning the championship with Star and reserve championship with Caped Crusader.

The Vermont Summer Festival is North New England's largest "A3" rated hunter-jumper horse show circuit and is held in two of the Northeast's top resort areas: Manchester and Waitsfield, VT.

For further information on the results of the Vermont Summer Festival Series please see the weekly results posted on the website www.vt-summerfestival.com.