Tracy Bartko-Magness Blazes to Victory in the $35,000 Valley Classic Grand Prix Sponsored by the Equinox Resort & Spa

East Dorset, VT - August 1, 2004 - Tracy Bartko-Magness of Baltimore, MD put in one of only two double clear rounds today in $35,000 Valley Classic Grand Prix sponsored by the Equinox Resort and Spa to take home the blue ribbon and the coveted Mount Equinox Cup. The Valley Classic Horse Show is the third event in the five-week Vermont Summer Festival series in East Dorset, VT.

Aboard J'Aime La Vie, owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko, Bartko-Magness was the last one in the ring for the deciding jump-off. She needed to beat the time of the eventual second place finisher Mary Lisa Leffler, who had laid down a time of 38.090 seconds. Bartko-Magness and J'Aime La Vie quietly looked over the fences than blasted through the course in 36.386 seconds.

"We call J'Aime La Vie, 'Gem', because he is such a sweet horse," explained an excited Bartko-Magness after her victory. "Gem is such a trier; he may not win every class but it's not because he doesn't try." Bartko-Magness shares the riding duties on Gem with her sister, Wendy Libert.

"It was love at first sight when I met Gem," Bartko-Magness recalled about the 13 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. "Because he is just 15.3 hands, he is a very quick horse to ride and is naturally fast."

Brookeville, MD resident Mary Lisa Leffler rode Kartousch to the second place finish. Leffler owns Kartousch in partnership with McLain Ward, a member of the upcoming 2004 Olympic Show Jumping squad from the U.S.

The yellow ribbon for third place went to Holly Shepherd of Alabama and Jolly Jumper owned by Hilary Orr. Jimmy Torano and Aguila, the winners of the $35,000 Manchester Summer Festival Grand Prix sponsored by Orvis, had to settle for fourth place today.

Danielle Torano of Key Biscayne, FL made it three in a row as she captured $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic with a clear jump-off time of 31.173 seconds. Torano won this class at weeks one and two of the Vermont Summer Festival. Once again today, her mount was the fabulous mare, Lojana, who brought Danielle her first Grand Prix win in the 2002 $50,000 Grand Prix of Culpeper.

"She's tough, but that's what makes her good," explained Torano of her 11-year-old equine partner. "Lojano's a winner. I didn't think she could do it three weeks in a row, but she was there for me." Lojano will now have some time off for rest and relaxation.

Another Danielle, Danielle Grice of Northfield, MN took the red ribbon for second place on her mount, Good Karma. Grice and Good Karma had a jump-off time of 34.932 seconds.

Nikko Ritter of Geneva, FL turned in the only two clear rounds to take the blue in the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic. Riding Linda Bakker's Burning Cat Ballou, the pair tore through the course in 36.938 seconds. Second place went to Alesandra Perna of New Rochelle, NY and Lavarenia who had a faster time of 34.923 seconds but pulled a rail to add four faults to their score.

The Valley Classic is the third show of the five-week Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The Vermont Summer Festival is New England's largest "AA" rated hunter/jumper horse show circuit and runs from July 14 to August 15. This year's series includes five $35,000 Grand Prix and five $10,000 Mini Prix. Each of the five weeks will also feature a $10,000 Show Jumping Hall Of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series.

The next show in the series, The Manchester & The Mountains Horse Show, kicks off on Wednesday, August 4. This is the 11th year the Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows have taken place at the Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

For many riders, the pinnacles of the show series are the three prestigious classes that take place every Sunday at the show. The $35,000 Grand Prix, the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, and the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic showcase the best American and international riders competing over challenging jumping courses.

While not watching the exciting jumping action, spectators will enjoy visiting the Festival's trade fair that contains interesting boutiques and gift shops. Families will enjoy the ambiance of the show grounds, as there are over 1,000 horses and ponies to observe.

Admission to the Vermont Summer Festival is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children. For further information about the Vermont Summer Festival, please call (802) 362-7548 or go to http://www.vt-summerfestival.com for complete results. For more information about the Equinox Resort & Spa, please see www.equinox.rockresorts.com on the Internet.

Photo Credit: Flashpoint Photography© 2004