Canadian Circuit Awards Return to Vermont Summer Festival
May 15, 2015 - East Dorset, Vermont
Photo by David Mullinix Photography
The 2015 Vermont Summer Festival will feature big-money incentives for Canadian competitors with the return of the $10,000 Canadian Circuit Awards. The Vermont Summer Festival runs from June 30 through August 9 at Harold Beebe Farm, attracting equestrians from all corners of North American to East Dorset, VT.
The $10,000 Canadian Circuit Awards will be presented to the high-point hunter and jumper Canadian competitors at the conclusion of the six-week circuit. The highest-ranked jumper and hunter rider will each receive $3,000, while the second-placed Canadian competitor in the jumper and hunter point standings will receive $2,000 each.
The Canadian Circuit Awards were last presented at the Vermont Summer Festival in 2011 when jumper rider Nora Gray of Owen Sound, ON, and hunter rider Alyssa MacEachern of Lower Sackville, NS, claimed top honors, and $3,000, each.
The reintroduction of the Canadian Circuit Awards is already causing waves north of the border. Many long-time Canadian exhibitors at the Vermont Summer Festival are planning their trips, with the Canadian Circuit Awards adding an extra incentive to attend the 2015 edition of the show.
“Management continues to make improvements every year and we are most appreciative of the recognition that the Vermont Summer Festival gives Canadians through the Canadian Circuit Awards,” said Canadian hunter/jumper trainer and rider, Mac McQuaker.
McQuaker and his wife, Christi, a fellow trainer and rider, operate Gryphon Farms in Schomberg, ON, and make the Vermont Summer Festival a regular stop on their summer show schedule.
“The Vermont Summer Festival offers something for everyone at our farm, from our short stirrup kids to the Grand Prix horses,” said McQuaker. “The Vermont Summer Festival continues to be one of our favorite resort country horse shows. We have been coming to this destination event for many years and love everything from the pleasant show management and staff to the wonderful local inns, restaurants and shopping.”
In addition to a schedule full of exciting offerings for jumper, hunter and equitation riders, the 2015 Vermont Summer Festival will feature all-new Kruse Cushion Ride footing in all competition areas, warm-up rings and lunging pads.
Highlighting ringside action this summer in Vermont, the first five Saturdays will feature a $30,000 Grand Prix. The $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will close the season on a high note during the sixth and final week of competition on Saturday, August 8. High-performance jumpers will also enjoy the weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, each Thursday.
Sundays will feature the NAL Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers Classic, as well as Marshall & Sterling Children’s and Adult Jumper Classics, giving junior, amateur and adult jumpers their turn in the grand prix ring.
For hunters, the $5,000 3'3"NEHJA Performance Stake Hunter Derby will return to Thursdays for the first five weeks, culminating with a $15,000 offering during week six. In addition, the popular “Equitation Tuesdays” as well as TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper divisions, now held throughout all six weeks, will return in 2015.
For more information, as well as entry and schedule information for the Vermont Summer Festival, click here.
The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition and offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. 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.
The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall Of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). Please e-mail or visit the website for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.