East Dorset, VT—July 9, 2003— Louise Serio of Kennett Square, PA, dominated hunter competition as the Vermont Summer Festival, July 9-August 10, opened its five weeks of competition at the Beebe Farm in East Dorset, Vermont. The Manchester Summer Festival, July 9-13, kicks off the five weeks of competition in the mountains.

Serio took home blue ribbons from several of the day’s featured events in the hunter rings. Serio rode Gray Slipper, owned by Bridget Hallman, to a first and second place finish in the over fences phase of competition in the Second Year Green Working Hunter Division. The pair then went on to take top honors in the under saddle portion of competition.

Serio also earned a blue ribbon earlier in the day with another of Hallman’s horses. Aboard Laissez Faire, Serio earned a win over fences in the First Year Green Working Hunter Division.

Also dominating in the hunter divisions was Juliana Starbuck aboard RCG Farm’s Unique. Starbuck took top honors in the Regular Conformation Hunter Division earning a blue ribbon in one of the day’s over fences classes as well as in the under saddle.

Top level show jumping action also got underway. In the Grand Prix ring, husband and wife team, Danielle and Jimmy Torano of Fort Lauderdale, FL took first and second place honors respectively in the first Open Jumper class of the week. Aboard Sir Ruly Inc.’s, Lalique, Danielle topped the field of nine horse-and-rider combinations to earn the blue ribbon. Jimmy took second place honors aboard Caruso, owned by James P. Pirtle & Caruso Group.

Earlier in the day, Mark Leone of Franklin Lakes, NJ bested a field of 14 horse-and-rider combinations to earn the blue ribbon in the High Preliminary Jumper Division. Canada’s Harold Chopping took the second place award aboard Rabaila, owned by Silver Oak Equestrian Centre.

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.