Mary Lisa Leffler Takes First and Second in the $35,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix

East Dorset, VT - August 15, 2004 - Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookeville, MD made it a one-two punch today as she knocked out her rivals in the $35,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix in East Dorset, VT. Riding Kartousch, a 12 year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, she placed first in a jump-off time of 40.455 seconds, and aboard Graf Rossini S she was second in 41.303. The Vermont Summer Celebration was the last show in the five week Vermont Summer Festival series in East Dorset, VT.

Leffler, 37, had to face down opposition from top riders from across North America including 'Stormin' Norman Dello Joio, the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games individual bronze medalist. "Today's finish made up for last week," Leffler laughed, recounting a bit of poor luck she endured.

Kartousch, who also won the $10,000 Mini Prix this past Friday, "gave me her all. We had one lucky rub where the fence didn't come down, and she really likes to win." Leffler owns Kartousch in partnership with McLain Ward, a member of the 2004 Olympic Show Jumping squad.

Her second placed horse, Graf Rossini S, a 15 year-old Oldenburg "is a sweet, sweet stallion. I'm very spoiled to have a horse like him." Bruce Chovnick, LLC owns Graf Rossini S.

Leffler truly wanted both mounts to do well, but was almost overwhelmed to finish first and second. "These horses worked very hard and I'm so proud of them." Both horses have earned a two-week vacation before they head out to another show.

Third place went to Laurie Bucci of Bromont, Canada on Catesko. The pair went cleanly in a time of 43.221 seconds, despite a near mishap in the jump-off. Bucci aimed for a tight inside turn, but was traveling too fast to accomplish her goal. Using split second timing, she elected to take the longer route around the vertical near the ingate.

Dello Joio, riding the young 7 year-old gray mare, Valencia, turned in the fastest time of 38.995 seconds, but had four faults on the last fence, putting him in fourth place. Along with his 1992 Olympic medal on Irish, Dello Joio won the 1983 FEI World Cup with I Love You.

The Buddy Brown designed Grand Prix course saw nine horses go cleanly to return for the deciding jump-off round. Riders praised the course as being straightforward and offering bold galloping options.

In the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, the junior riders continued their two week dominance of the class. Gabby Slome, 17, of Riverdale, NY and Salsa stopped the timers in 45.117 seconds to take the victory.

"The course was very interesting," Slome explained. "There were a lot of tall verticals and some unrelated distances which made it challenging to ride." Her horse, Salsa, is a 16.3 hand bay German Warmblood who "fits my style of riding very well. He is always willing to try as hard as he can." Slome trains with Missy Clark of Warren, VT.

The red ribbon for second place was awarded to another of Missy Clark's junior students, Hillary Dobbs and her mount, Lazalle. Slome also earned third place with her other horse, Espina Du Manoir.

The Vermont Summer Celebration is the final horse show in the 2004 Vermont Summer Festival series in East Dorset, VT. The Vermont Summer Festival is New England's largest "AA" rated hunter/jumper horse show circuit and ran from July 14 to August 15, showcasing the best American and international riders competing over challenging jumping courses. Next year, the shows take place from July 13 to August 15, 2005.

This year's series included five $35,000 Grand Prix and five $10,000 Mini Prix. Each of the five weeks also featured the Nutraceutical Corp. sponsored $10,000 Show Jumping Hall Of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. This is the 11th year the Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows have taken place at the Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

For further information or complete results regarding the Vermont Summer Festival, please go to http://www.vt-summerfestival.com.

Photo Credit: Flashpoint Photography© 2004