TheVERMONT
Summer Festival
Charms the Northeast
The Vermont Summer Festival has enchanted show jumping athletes in the
Northeast over the last two decades and become one of the most popular
summer destinations in North America.
Nestled along the Battenkill River just south of the Green Mountain
National Forest, picturesque views surround the competition grounds at
Harold Beebe Farm, home to the six-week circuit each July and August.
The series attracts riders from all corners of the United States for dynamic
competition spanning the levels from cross-rails to weekly grand prix
events.
Take a look at three reason to visit the Vermont Summer Festival, running
July 2 through August 11, 2019, at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT,
this summer:
1. The Sport
The Vermont Summer Festival serves as the perfect environment
for tomorrow’s stars to be born with young horses and
up-and-coming riders often pocketing the first big wins of
their careers at Vermont Summer Festival. The jumps are
big, the riders are hungry for a win, and the sport will not
disappoint!
“There is something about Vermont,” said Matthew Metell,
a consistent grand prix winner at the Vermont Summer
Festival who considers the event his favorite horse show
not only for the competition, but also for the local entertainment
options, which include his favorite restaurant The
Sliver Fork. “We have good luck here, and honestly, what’s
not to like?”
Each week, the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome is held on
Thursday, and a $30,000 Grand Prix takes place the first five
Saturdays of the six-week circuit, before the season culminates
with the $50,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, August 10,
during the final weekend. Additionally, jumper riders can
celebrate the return of a $10,000 Open Jumper Rider Bonus,
presented by World Equestrian Center, to be divided
among the top-scoring open jumper competitors during
the six-week circuit. Hunters will be showcased in the $5,000
3’3” NEHJA Hunter Derbies each Thursday, highlighted by a
$15,000 finale on Thursday, August 8.
When you go: Make it a Saturday outing! Purchase a ticket
for one of the weekly grand prix events to benefit local
Vermont charities and join the conversation by using tags
#VSF2018 and #summerinvermont on social media.
TRAINING & Showing
2. Vermont Living Photo by Jump Media
When Vermont Summer Festival exhibitors are asked what
they love most about spending their summers in the mountains
of Manchester, VT, their first response is almost always,
‘the views!’.
While the location seems perfect, the process of finding
Harold Beebe Farm stemmed from good business rather
than a knack for finding panoramic views. A quarter of a
century ago, the Vermont Summer Festival sprouted up as
a tiny horse show in the parking lot of a popular ski resort in
Killington, VT. The show felt like a carnival with everything
from footing to bathrooms trucked in and attracted rider
from neighboring states in the Northeastern U.S., and Southeastern
Canadian provinces.
38 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
Christian Coyle and Dolce Vita
KDW Z by Jump Media
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com