East Dorset, VT—July 21, 2003—The Equinox Resort and Spa, a four diamond resort in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, has joined forces with the Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show in becoming the sponsor of the $35,000 Grand Prix on Sunday, July 27, 2003. The five week long event will continue to run at the Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, Vermont, through August 10, 2003.

"The Vermont Summer Festival exhibitors have already discovered the fine staff and services of the Equinox Hotel, and are this year discovering the resort’s new Avanyu Spa, " stated Dotty Ammerman, Vermont Summer Festival Executive Director. "While our competitors love the rural nature of the Manchester area, the fact that they can have luxury and resort amenities is a bonus."

Courtney Lowe, Sales and Marketing Director of the Equinox Resort added, “We always enjoy providing the horse show clientele first class, personal service, and are proud to introduce them to our expanded spa treatments in our new Avanyu Spa. It is a priority for the Equinox to support community events that promote business and tourism in the region, which makes this partnership a natural.”

The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest “AA” rated hunter/jumper horse show circuit. This year’s event includes five USET-recognized $35,000 Grand Prix and five $10,000 Mini Prix to be held on the last day of each show. Each of the five weeks will also feature 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, or visit the Vermont Summer Festival website at
www.vt-summerfestival.com.