EE
Leadline The Vermont Summer Festival offers
competition for riders of all ages from leadline
to the grand prix.By Andrew Ryback Photography
www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com 69
Same Beloved Circuit
Good footing lends itself to good
competition, which is ever-present at
the Vermont Summer Festival. Each
summer, point chasers and specialized
hunter and equitation trainers make
their way to Vermont to qualify for prestigious
year-end finals.
World Championship Hunter Rider
(WCHR) week welcomes some of
the country’s top hunter competitors
during the third week of competition.
After gaining points at member horse
shows across the nation, including the
Vermont Summer Festival, the top 10
nationally-ranked riders and top six regionally
ranked riders in each category
go head-to-head in the WCHR Finals at
the Capital Challenge Horse Show in
October in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Additionally, weekly $5,000 3’3” NEHJA
Hunter Derby offerings make their
return in 2018 with a $15,000 offering on
August 9 during the sixth and final week
of competition.
For equitation riders, the Vermont Summer
Festival’s “Equitation Tuesdays”
have developed a reputation as a
points palooza. Tuesday are dedicated
to equitation classes and give riders
several opportunities to qualify for, and
accomplish, year-end goals at the
nation’s top equitation finals.
Saturdays at the Vermont Summer
Festival see packed stands thanks to
a dedicated local equestrian sport
following. The show peaks each week
with a $30,000 Grand Prix, held the first
five Saturdays of the six-week circuit,
before the season culminates with the
$50,000 Grand Prix on the final weekend.
Admission at the Vermont Summer
Festival is only charged on Saturdays
and Sundays and benefits local Manchester
area charities.
Entering an exciting new era after
a quarter of a century of success,
changes for the advancement of competitor
enjoyment and thrilling sport to
top it off, the Vermont Summer Festival
is primed to continue its reputation as
a North American favorite during the
2018 summer.
Want to find out more about the
Vermont Summer Festival? Visit www.
vt-summerfestival.com, or find it on
Facebook and Instagram.
Train The iconic train that passes by Harold
Beebe Farm inspired one ring to be aptly
named the “Railroad Ring.”
By Andrew Ryback Photography
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
/vt-summerfestival.com
/www.4source.com