Alexandra Pielet Wins $10,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at Vermont Summer Festival

Fourteen-year-old Alexandra Pielet of Highland Park, IL, topped the $10,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by Dr. Robert Barber & Team Barber, on Sunday, July 24 at the Vermont Summer Festival. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for six consecutive weeks from July 5 through August 14, at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

After recently moving up to the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Division, week three of the Vermont Summer Festival marked Pielet's second show at the raised height. She, however, was quick to pick up her first win aboard her own Helene Ve over tracks built by course designer Kenny Krome of Westminster, MD.

One of seven pairs to advance to the jump-off, Pielet and her nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare returned first over the short course and set an early time to beat at 39.36 seconds.

“My plan for the jump-off was to go as tight as I could everywhere,” said Pielet. “I jumped jump one left to right and took off, then spun back and tried to slice everything and be as neat as possible. I was first to go in, so I was not sure exactly what was going to happen, but the courses rode perfectly for my horses. I'm happy my time held.”

Christina Antonucci of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, was less than a second off the pace, but settled for second in 39.99 seconds with her own Zonneglans. Antonucci was also third in the irons of her own Cupido van't Schuurke with a time of 40.01 seconds.

Pielet answered back aboard her own Borindy in the fourth spot with the clock showing 41.68 seconds. Taylor Burns of Blairstown, NJ, rounded out the top five on her own Cordero Zaffiro. They were double-clear in 42.20 seconds.

Pielet was the youngest rider to enter the ring in the high classic on Sunday, but was thankful that her horse helped her to overcome some pre-class jitters.

“I was a little nervous going in, but she's such a cool horse and made me feel so confident and helped me go for it,” said Pielet of the mount she has had for one year. “She is very relaxed, but once you let her go there is no stopping her.”

Pielet rides under the tutelage of Valerie Renihan at Findley's Ridge and plans to continue in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Division saying, “this was a great way to start and I really hope we can continue to be successful. This was my first time at Vermont and I loved the environment. It was such a fun show.”

Also highlighting the action in the Grand Prix Ring on Sunday, Ashley Harman of Doylestown, PA, took home the win aboard her own Clear Lady in the $5,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. For the win, she was presented with a pair of Tonic paddock boots and half chaps from sponsor Schockemoehle.

Second in the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was awarded to Hannah Lupica of New Canaan, CT, aboard her own Hypnose van Paemel. Raleigh Hiler of Sudbury, MA, and her own Tinka's Queen jumped to third, while Casey Lorusso of Wrentham, MA, claimed fourth aboard her own Violette Dawn. Danielle Torano of Wellington, FL, rounded out the top five with Emerald Grace for owner Jimmy Torano.

Earlier in the day, Kate Ross of New York, NY, claimed top honors in the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic aboard Que Pasa 4, owned by Kar, LLC. Katie Epes of Bronxville, NY and Da Vinci, owned by Cavallo Farms, LLC took second, while Kathleen Flynn of Norwalk, CT and Wilander jumped to third for owner Erin Witt. Lisbeth Hume of Nanuet, NY, was fourth in the irons of her own McGregor, and Meghan Frederick of Dalton, MA, rounded out the top five on Emmit, owned by Robert Garrity.

In the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Jumper Classic, Kristina Kaufman of Honeoye Falls, NY, took top call with her own Corconera Dela Galerna, who was also named champion of the division on Sunday. Ericka Koscinski of Hamptons, NY, placed second with Ludwig's Luna, owned by J T Farm, and Kaitlyn Williams of Wayne, PA, finished third in the irons of Shaq for Ramble On Farm. Fourth was presented to Sammy Houle of Stamford, CT, and Butterfly Rouge, owned by Kimberly Mulligan-Mangione, before Ally Marrinan of Saunderstown, RI, capped the top five aboard Ruby for Rose Hill Farm.

For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition in an ideal summer setting.  Outside the show ring, exhibitors enjoy the charm of Vermont's shopping, dining, and outdoor activities.

Competition at the 2016 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m.  Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from Wednesday through Friday.  On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children with 100% of all gate proceeds benefiting the Manchester Community Library, Dorset Equine Rescue, and Meals on Wheels.

Please e-mail or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.

$10,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by Dr. Robert Barber & Team Barber - Sunday, July 24, 2016

Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time

1. Alexandra Pielet Highland Park, IL Helene Ve 0:0 39.36

2. Christina Antonucci Lake Hopatcong, NJ Zonneglans 0:0 39.99

3. Christina Antonucci Lake Hopatcong, NJ Cupido van't Schuurke 0:0 40.01

4. Alexandra Pielet Highland Park, IL Borindy 0:0 41.68

5. Taylor Burns Blairstown, NJ Cordero Zaffiro 0:0 42.20

6. Katie Tyler Old Lyme, CT Seattle 6 0:4 38.76

7. Mackenzie Burns Blairstown, NJ Third Degree 0:- Elim.

8. Tegan Elizabeth Treacy Neeham, MA Colorado 1 79.08