In a unique marketing technique applied by the Vermont Summer Festival, the six-week horse show not only caters to Canadian competitors, it actually rewards their patronage with cold, hard cash.
Introduced last year as a means to thank Canadians for choosing to spend their summers in the picturesque town of Manchester, $10,000 in cash bonuses are awarded to the top two hunter competitors and the top two jumper riders. Open to exhibitors who are Canadian citizens and members of Equine Canada, points are calculated throughout the six weeks of competition towards the Canadian Circuit Championships. This year, the Canadians were more competitive than ever, engaging in a friendly rivalry that had the show office tabulating points right up until the final day.
In the end, it was Tatiana Dzavik who dominated the proceedings, winning the Hunter Champion title for a $3,000 cash bonus and also finishing runner-up in the Jumper Championship for an additional $2,000. Although she competed all six weeks of the Vermont Summer Festival to earn the $5,000 in bonus money, the 17-year-old Toronto native was thrilled with her success.
“I am very excited, and very happy that they have this award. I love being Canadian!” smiled Dzavik, who trains with Missy Clark as well as Bob Braswell. “It feels like a small horse show, even though there are a lot of people. I also love the city, and the shopping is great.”
Last year’s hunter champion, Angela Covert-Lawrence, was the Canadian Hunter Reserve Champion this year for a $2,000 bonus. Helping her earn points were two Regular Working Hunter Championship titles won during weeks four and six with Oxford, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Burggraaf.
“I don’t know of any other circuits that offer these types of championship rewards,” noted Covert-Lawrence, 31, who operates Eastwood Equine Inc. in St. Lazare, QC. “It is a great added incentive, not only for myself but for my clients and owners as well. When you are putting together your show schedule for the year, it is motivating to come to Vermont for more than just one week since you are rewarded for staying longer.”
Paul Halpern made the most of his first trip to the Vermont Summer Festival. Aggressively chasing points during the final two weeks of the show, Halpern of Russell, ON, succeeded in his mission, edging out such well-known names as Erynn Ballard, Beth Underhill and Laurie Bucci to claim $3,000 as the Canadian Jumper Champion.
Canadian Circuit Championship Award – Final Standings
Hunter Rider
Tatiana Dzavik Toronto, ON $3,000
Angela Covert-Lawrence St. Lazare, QC $2,000
Jumper Rider
Paul Halpern Russell, ON $3,000
Tatiana Dzavik Toronto, ON $2,000
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