Jimmy Torano Wins Sir Ruly, Inc. Open Jumper Awards at Vermont Summer Festival

Jimmy Torano of Wellington, FL, topped the $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards at the conclusion of the 2016 Vermont Summer Festival, a six-week circuit held July 5 through August 14 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.

Torano had five weeks of top results in the show jumping ring to earn 162 points and collect a $5,000 bonus, presented in honor of his late uncle Raul "Ruly" Torano.  Highlights of his success at the Vermont Summer Festival included a win in the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix during week two, and victory in the $10,000 Vineyard Vines Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, during week three.

Initiated by Raul Torano, the Sir Ruly, Inc. Open Jumper Awards now serve as a legacy of his generosity and support for the annual Vermont Summer Festival, a horse show he loved, and the Manchester community in general. He created the Awards to recognize and reward show jumping competitors who consistently post top placings in the three open jumper classes held each week of the Vermont Summer Festival: the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper, the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, and the $30,000/$50,000 Grand Prix events. Riders accumulate points by placing in any of the three classes, with the $10,000 in bonus money awarded to the top three finishers at the end of the six-week circuit.

“These awards are a great way to honor and remember Ruly,” said Torano, who was especially touched to accept the award created by his uncle and now continued by his aunt, Maria Teresa Torano. “He loved this horse show so much, and it's special for me to join my family in presenting the awards each year, and even more special to win one. I consider the Vermont Summer Festival to be my hometown crowd, and it really is like a second home for us. We come with high expectations each year, so it's always nice to win here.”

Jimmy and his wife, Danielle Torano, an amateur rider herself, have been competing at the Vermont Summer Festival for over 20 years. Their family legacy at the event has grown over the years, with their children, Natalia and JJ, now riding as well.

Placing second in the $10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards for a $3,000 bonus with a total of 117 points was Amanda Flint of Long Valley, NJ, who dominated the first two weeks of the Vermont Summer Festival.  Flint won the $10,000 Bass Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, and the $10,000 New Balance Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets.

Taking home the $2,000 bonus with a total of 75 points was Colin Syquia of Forest Hills, NY, whose circuit highlight was a win in the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix, presented by Purina Horse Feed, during week five.

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.  In 2017, the Vermont Summer Festival returns to Harold Beebe Farm for six-weeks of competition from July 4 through August 13, 2017.

Please e-mail or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.

$10,000 Sir Ruly, Inc., Open Jumper Awards - Final Standings

Rider Hometown Points Prize

1. Jimmy Torano Wellington, FL 162 $5,000

2. Amanda Flint Long Valley, NJ 117 $3,000

3. Colin Syquia Forest Hills, NY 75 $2,000