Hunters in the Spotlight During WCHR Qualifying at Vermont Summer Festival
July 25, 2018 - East Dorset, VT
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) events for competitors hoping to qualify for WCHR Finals, held at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, highlighted the third week of competition at the 25th annual Vermont Summer Festival, running through August 12 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.
In WCHR competition for adult amateur hunter riders, Jared Depermentier of Skippack, PA, was champion in the 18-35 division riding Noted. The duo earned three wins and a fifth place over fences and finished second under saddle to take the division title.
“WCHR week is so exciting and it’s really the ultimate goal,” said Depermentier, who is based out of Timber Hill, LLC, in Whitehouse Station, NJ, under the direction of trainer Trevor Hawthorne. “Capital Challenge is definitely on my schedule and I am happy that my horse and I clicked this week.”
The WCHR program was founded in 1992 to recognize and celebrate the hunter rider. Since the inaugural WCHR Professional Finals in 1992, the WCHR program has expanded to include coveted year-end awards for professionals, developing professionals, amateur-owners, adult amateurs, juniors, children, and pony riders. Each year, after gaining points at member horse shows across the nation, including the Vermont Summer Festival, the top 10 nationally-ranked riders and top six regionally-ranked riders in each category go head-to-head in the WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, taking place this year from September 28 through October 7 in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Depermentier imported Noted, a five-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Numero Uno, just over a month ago, a process he likes to take on himself with all of his horses.
“I usually get six to 10 horses per year that I bring along myself and end up selling,” said Depermentier, who took a break from horses while studying business economics at Washington College in Chestertown, MD. “I knew I wanted to be involved with horses, but I had to find a way to support myself because I never had the desire to teach or train professionally. It is a one-man show and that is how I save money. The only thing I can’t do is braid!”
Depermentier has been competing at the Vermont Summer Festival since his time as a junior with trainer Troy Hendricks, saying, “I love coming here! Besides all there is to do outside the show, it’s the perfect place for a young horse to develop. Noted is just getting his feet wet; a month ago he didn’t know what a flower box was, had never seen a stone wall, and brush was a foreign concept. We took our time and this week he walked into the railroad ring and scored two 85s.”
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 with more than $750,000 in prize money. The event is also a proud member of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). Outside the show ring, exhibitors are immersed in the charm of Vermont's shopping, dining, and outdoor activities.
Competition at the 2018 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 Dorset School, Manchester Community Library, and the Rotary Club of Manchester.
For more information on the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.
