East Dorset, VT—January 29, 2004—The Vermont Summer Festival will feature five weeks of exciting equestrian competition when it returns to Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT, July 14 – August 15, 2004.

The Vermont Summer Festival, New England’s largest “AA” rated hunter-jumper horse show, will kick off with the Manchester Summer Festival, July 14-18. Competition continues with the Manchester Classic Horse Show, July 21-25; Valley Classic Horse Show, July 28 – August 1; Manchester and the Mountains Horse Show, August 4-8; and concludes with the Vermont Summer Celebration, August 11-15.

Each week of competition will feature a Grand Prix and a Mini Prix. A Grand Prix showcases horses and riders competing at the highest level in the sport of show jumping. Olympic veterans and U.S. Equestrian Team stars regularly compete in the Vermont Grand Prix.

Among last year’s Grand Prix winners were such notable names as McLain Ward and two-time Olympian Lisa Jacquin who won the Manchester Summer Festival and Valley Classic Grand Prix, respectively. Jonathan Phillips, Bill Lowry, and Courtney Phibbs also earned Grand Prix victories at the 2003 Vermont Summer Festival.

The Vermont Summer Festival awards numerous circuit championships in various levels of the hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions, and also features Marshall & Sterling and North American League Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Classics.

Also highlighting each week of the Festival’s schedule is a Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series is designed to give junior and amateur-owner riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition.

“With the record number of entries we had last year, 2003 was our best year yet,” said John D. Ammerman, the longtime horse show manager who heads the Vermont Summer Festival. “The best part is that everyone had a really fantastic Vermont experience, and I’m confident that we can expect an even more terrific summer in 2004!”

The Vermont Summer Festival provides a chance for equestrians to spend July and August in Vermont’s verdant Green Mountains where the summer is its most beautiful. The quaint New England towns of the Manchester and the Mountains area are noted for their charm, first-class accommodations, and superior dining. The region also offers a world-class shopping experience, including antiques and handmade arts and crafts as well as brand name outlets.

The Vermont Summer Festival show grounds provide top-notch facilities for riders, horses, and spectators alike. The grounds boast an all-weather Grand Prix and Jumper field, four all-weather hunter rings, as well as several all-weather riding/schooling rings.

For further information on the 2004 Vermont Summer Festival, please visit the Vermont Summer Festival website at www.vt-summerfestival.com.