East Dorset, VT-July 10, 2003-The Vermont Summer Festival, July 9-August 10, has crowned the first champions during the Manchester Summer Festival, July 9-13, which is the first of five weeks of horse show competition at the Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

After their first phases of competition on July 9, the First Year Green Working Hunter horse-and-rider combinations competed over fences on July 10 to conclude their division. In the end, it was Cast A Spell, owned by La Bagatell LLC and ridden by Holly Orlando, who bested the field of 17 horse-and-rider combinations to earn Championship honors. The Reserve Champion award went to Good Point, owned by Karen Long-Dwight and shown by Ken Berkley.

After earning two first place awards and a second place on July 9, Louise Serio on Gray Slipper, owned by Bridget Hallman, continued their winning ways and took Championship honors in the Second Year Green Working Hunter Division on July 10. Kate Conover piloted Grace, owned by Sarah Alvarez, to Reserve Championship honors.

Later in the day, Louise Serio was again in the winner's circle with another of her mounts. She rode Hat Trick, owned by Sarah Ingle, to Championship honors in the Green Conformation Hunter. Earning Reserve Champion honors was Shablis, owned by Nicole Chaney and ridden by Rachel Kennedy.

In the afternoon, Nordic Legacy, owned by Amy Tucci, was awarded the Championship ribbon in the Regular Working Hunter Division. Jennifer Hannan rode Nordic Legacy to victory over the course of two days. Taking Reserve Champion honors was Kensington, owned by Danielle Glass, and ridden by Katie Milton.

Unique, owned by RCG Farms and ridden by Juliana Starbuck, was presented with the last Champion ribbon of the day. Starbuck and Unique capitalized on their two blue ribbons on July 9 to earn the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship. Cathy Grady & Holly Hill Farm's Ramsey took Reserve Championship honors with Caitlin Venezia aboard.

The Vermont Summer Festival is New England's largest "AA" rated hunter/jumper horse show circuit. This year's event includes five USET-recognized $35,000 Grand Prix and five $10,000 Mini Prix to be held on the last day of each show. Each of the five weeks also features a $10,000 Show Jumping Hall Of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series which determines which junior and amateur/owner riders will qualify to ride at the 2003 National Horse Show.

For further information on the 2003 Vermont Summer Festival, please call (802) 362-9023, or visit the Vermont Summer Festival website at www.vt-summerfestival.com.