WCHR Qualifying Highlights Hunter Competition at Vermont Summer Festival

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 Vermont Summer Festival, running through August 13 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

In WCHR competition for amateur hunter riders, Lee Kellogg-Sadrian of Summit, NJ, dominated the amateur-owner divisions. Kellogg-Sadrian was champion in the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunter division riding Sochi as well as in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 and Over division riding Comex Gold.

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 ten 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 29 through October 8 in Upper Marlboro, MD.

“I appreciate the WCHR program not only because it recognizes the hunters, but it gives us a fun goal to look forward to,” said Kellogg-Sadrian, who trains with Jennifer and Rolf Bauersachs of Spring Hill Farm in Frenchtown, NJ. “I personally like to have goals because I have three kids and I can’t do that many horse shows, so I make an effort to do as many WCHR qualifying shows as I can.

“The group I train with deserves most of the credit,” continued Kellogg-Sadrian, who currently sits third in the WCHR standings for 3’6” amateur-owner riders in the northeast region. “My horses were so prepared and happy, and my team did an amazing job. It is especially rewarding to do well at a WCHR show like the Vermont Summer Festival because they draw top hunter horses and riders. Competition is stiff at any WCHR show; people really enjoy the program and make a special effort to go to those shows.”

With a goal of qualifying for the WCHR Finals, Kellogg-Sadrian returned to the Vermont Summer Festival for the first time in six years.

“I recently returned to the East Coast after living in California for several years and I had forgotten how beautiful the Vermont Summer Festival is,” she said. “My mother and brother were able to come watch me ride and we enjoyed the local area and restaurants, which are fabulous. The show is more than just a horse show, it’s the complete package.”

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.