Cory Hardy Kicks Off Week 4 at Vermont Summer Festival Amanda Flint Leads $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Standings
July 22, 2015 - East Dorset, Vermont
Photo by David Mullinix Photography
Photo by David Mullinix Photography
Photo by David Mullinix Photography
Photo by David Mullinix Photography
Cory Hardy of Littletown, MA, got the fourth week of competition underway at the Vermont Summer Festival with a win in the $5,000 1.40 Open Jumper on Wednesday, July 22, aboard Camelot 105, owned by Commonwealth Ventures, LLC. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for six consecutive weeks, from June 30 through August 9, at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.
Four riders advanced to the jump-off over courses set by Steve Stephens (USA), and three finished the test double-clear. Stella Manship of Milford, NJ, and Escalette, owned by Elan Farm turned in a clear performance from the first spot in the original order. She was later joined by Danielle Torano of Wellington, FL, aboard her own La Scala, Ian Silitch of Ocala, FL, with Vanita for Gaston Family Investments, LLC, and Hardy on Camelot.
Hardy and Camelot, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Legende VII), crossed the timers clear in 34.15 seconds for the win. Torano and La Scala finished clear and just under two seconds slower in 35.91 for second-place. Manship and Escalette ended double-clear in 37.71 seconds for third, while Silitch and Vanita picked up four jumping and two time faults in 41.16 seconds for fourth.
Rounding out the top five from the first round, Katherine Newman of Wellington, FL, posted the fastest four-fault trip in 65.26 seconds in the irons of Miss Understood II for owner Laura Kraut.
Hardy and two of his clients imported Camelot from Germany two years ago and started him in 1.40m classes. “He's a really careful horse and we have been working a lot on developing scope and confidence,” said Hardy, who has had the expert help of George H. Morris in campaigning Camelot.
“I brought Camelot to a clinic with George and he really liked the horse,” said Hardy. “Just before we went to Florida last year, I got a call from him and he said he would be thrilled to work with us. I had the good fortune to have him help me throughout the Florida season and his knowledge of careful horses has been really insightful.”
Hardy has been showing at the Vermont Summer Festival since he was a child, and was thrilled to be back. “The biggest highlight this year is the improvement of the footing. It was far and away a significant change for the better and today was a really inviting way to start the week,” he concluded.
Camelot will also jump the $10,000 Vineyard Vines Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, coming up on Thursday with Hardy in the tack.
$5,000 1.40m Open Jumper
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time
1. Cory Hardy Littleton, MA Camelot 105 0:0 34.15
2. Danielle Torano Wellington, FL La Scala 0:0 35.91
3. Stella Manship Milford, NJ Escalette 0:0 37.71
4. Ian Silitch Ocala, FL Vanita 0:6 41.16
5. Katherine Newman Wellington, FL Miss Understood II 4 65.26
Amanda Flint Leads $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Standings
As the third week of competition at the Vermont Summer Festival came to a close on Sunday, jumper riders are halfway to the crowning of the $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Award winners. With four qualifying wins and a long list of in-the-money finishes, Amanda Flint of Long Valley, NJ, has a firm hold on the top spot with 147 points.
The Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards reward riders who consistently place at the top of the three open jumper classes held each week of the Vermont Summer Festival: the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper, the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, and the Saturday Grand Prix events ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 in prize money. Riders accumulate points by placing in any of the three classes, with the $10,000 in bonus money awarded to the top three finishers at the end of the six-week circuit. The winner receives a $5,000 bonus, while $3,000 is awarded to the rider with the second-highest points and $2,000 to third place.
For the past nine years, the Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards have rewarded the top show jumping competitors at the Vermont Summer Festival. Initiated by Raul "Ruly" Torano, uncle of U.S. rider and Vermont Summer Festival competitor Jimmy Torano, the awards now serve as a legacy of his incredible generosity and support of the annual Vermont Summer Festival and the Manchester community at large.
“When he passed away six years ago, I discussed the awards with my aunt and we decided that because he loved this horse show so much, it was something we wanted to continue in his honor,” said Torano who owns and operates JET Show Stables with his wife and amateur rider Danielle. Torano, who hails from Wellington, FL, holds the second-place spot in the Sir Ruly, Inc. Standings with 107 points.
“We have been coming to Vermont for over 20 years and we enjoy everything about it – the weather, the atmosphere, the local area. For us, it's a good place to step up our young jumpers into bigger classes, but also offers competition for the experienced horses,” added Torano.
Rounding out the top three in the currents standings is Cassandra Orpen of Weston, CT, with 97 points.
With three more weeks of Open Jumper competition already underway, the Sir Ruly, Inc. Awards will be presented after the highly-anticipated $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on August 8.
Competition at the 2015 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m. Grand prix action continues on Saturday, July 18 with the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix at 1 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $9 for adults, $5 for children. 100% of the gate proceeds benefit the Manchester Community Library and Dorset Equine Rescue.
The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition, and the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. It is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). For over 20 years, the event has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition in an ideal summer setting.
Please e-mail or visit the website for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.
$10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Standings
as of Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Rider Hometown Points
1. Amanda Flint Long Valley, NJ 147
2. Jimmy Torano Wellington, FL 107
3. Cassandra Orpen Weston, CT 97