East Dorset, VT-July 30, 2003- The Vermont Summer Festival's Leading Lady Hunter Rider, who was so named on July 27, Katie Milton of Locust Valley, NY, has continued her winning ways on the opening day of the Manchester and the Mountains Horse Show, July 30-August 3, the fourth week of the Vermont Summer Festival, July 9-August 10, held at the Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Milton rode Kensington, owned by Danielle Glass of New York, NY, to take first and second place in the Regular Working Hunter over fences classes. The pair, who earned division championship honors at the Valley Classic, July 23-27, then went on to take second place honors in the under saddle phase of the competition.

Luxor, Champion of the First Year Green Working Hunter Division at the Valley Classic, July 23-27, earned top ribbons in the division again on the opening day of the Manchester & the Mountains Horse Show. Mary Lisa Leffler piloted Luxor, owned by Jimmy Torano and Anna Tilestone, to the win the first over fences class over the field of 12 horses. Leffler and Luxor went on to earn second place in the second over fences class.

Later in the day, Jeffrey Ayers of Sommerville, NJ and Social Secretary, owned by Thomas and Cynthia Deibert, dominated the Green Conformation Hunter division. This pair earned top honors in both of the day's over fences classes over the field of eight horses.

The Vermont Summer Festival is New England's largest "AA" rated hunter/jumper horse show. This year's event includes five USET-recognized $35,000 Grand Prix to be held on the last day of each show and five $10,000 Mini Prix to be held on the Friday 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. For full results, visit the Vermont Summer Festival website at www.vt-summerfestival.com.