Failenn Aselta Wins Children’s Jumper Classic at Vermont Summer Festival
July 30, 2017 - East Dorset, Vermont
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Failenn Aselta, 15, of Weston, CT, won the $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 30, to cap the fourth week of competition at the six-week Vermont Summer Festival, running through August 13 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.
From a starting field of 14, three horse-rider combinations advanced to the jump-off over a track set by Canadian course designer and 1976 Olympic individual silver medalist, Michel Vaillancourt. Fractions of a second determined the top two placings with Aselta piloting Lady Plane to the victory with a clear effort in 36.50 seconds over Alle Durkin of Natick, MA, who stopped the clock clear in 36.75 seconds riding Caherconree Cooley for second place.
Tessa P. Brown of Jamaica, VT, finished third riding Athletic Lady after incurring eight faults in the jump-off. Mary McDaniel of Fredericksburg, VA, posted the fastest four-fault effort in the first round riding Wing Man to take fourth while Elle Haymond of West Hartford, CT, also picked up four faults in the opening round riding Equifit Zaretta to round out the top five.
Aselta got the ride on Lady Plane for the 2017 Florida winter season and officially added the nine-year-old Canadian-bred mare to her string in June after retiring her main jumper mount.
“I automatically fell in love with her,” said Aselta, who rides with Amanda and Juliana Starbuck of Starbuck Equestrian based in Ridgefield, CT. “When we did our first show at the Winter Equestrian Festival I learned that she is not an easy horse to ride and I really had to become a better rider.
“I worked really hard to improve my own riding over the past nine months and it feels amazing for it to all come together here,” continued, Aselta, who also won the Children’s Jumper Classic during week three of the Vermont Summer Festival. “I am over the moon in love with everything about her. She has such a big personality and I try to spend a lot of time with her at home. I like bonding with all my horses by taking time out of my day just to spend time with them. I feel that is important for our relationship in the ring, and we finally clicked this summer.”
Aselta has been competing at the Vermont Summer Festival for ten years, noting, “I started coming with my small pony and Amanda has brought me up the ranks showing here.
“The show grounds are gorgeous, the rings are always well-groomed, and there are so many great things to do in the surrounding towns,” continued Aselta, who will begin her junior year at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, CT, this fall.
Also on the final day of week four at the Vermont Summer Festival, Elizabeth Rae of Bernville, PA, won the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Jumper Classic riding Herault. Elizabeth McKim of Wilmington, NC, topped the $5,000 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic riding Airbrush and received a pair of Tonic paddock boots and half-chaps from Schockemoehle in recognition of her win. Closing out the day, Alison Cooney won the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by Miller & Associates, riding Comeback de la Manade.
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. Offering more than $750,000 in prize money over the course of its six-week run, the Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition as well as the state’s richest sporting event based on purse. Outside the show ring, exhibitors are immersed in the charm of Vermont's shopping, dining, and outdoor activities.
Competition at the 2017 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, Meals on Wheels of Bennington County, and the Rotary Club of Manchester.
For more information on the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.
$1,500 Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Rider Hometown Horse Faults/Time
1. Failenn Aselta Weston, CT Lady Plane 0:0/36.50
2. Alle Durkin Natick, MA Caherconree Cooley 0:0/36.75
3. Tessa P. Brown Jamaica, VT Athletic Lady 0:8/31.27
4. Mary McDaniel Fredericksburg, VA Wing Man 4
5. Elle Haymond West Hartford, CT Equifit Zaretta 4
6. Carson Ruff Jackson, MO Cuidento Z 4
7. Mark Leone Jr. Franklin Lakes, NJ Lord des Tourelles 8
8. Tessa P. Brown Jamaica, VT La Mirage 8
