96 SIDELINES JULY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Bobby Braswell, pictured here with daughter Molly, refers to the
Vermont Summer Festival as equitation “boot camp” for riders
.
By Laura Cardon
The sun has just begun to rise over Harold Beebe Farm in
East Dorset, Vermont, but young equitation riders are already
making their way to the ring at the Vermont Summer Festival.
Competition doesn’t officially begin for several hours, but their
trainers are awaiting their arrival bright and early at the schooling
ring to prepare for the days ahead. It’s a hallowed tradition at
this six-week summer circuit nestled in the Green Mountains of
the Vermont countryside, where equitation medal finals hopefuls
come to experience the best competition of the summer.
Top equitation trainer Bobby Braswell has groomed dozens
of students for equitation success in those early hours at Harold
Beebe Farm, prepping his young charges for their ultimate goal –
a win in a major equitation final that fall.
“Almost all of my students that have won finals have done this
circuit,” Bobby said. “It’s quite a significant number that have been
here showing and have gone on to win. It’s one of those circuits
where the kids learn to ride. It’s almost like an equitation boot
camp.”
Bobby is one of many top equitation trainers that flock to the
Vermont Summer Festival each summer, joining Frank Madden
andMissy Clark for six weeks of competition that, while demanding,
gives their students a learning experience that can’t be replaced.
“It’s a tough circuit to win at. A lot of the kids who have become
winners of the finals have come through here, so you’re going
against that level of rider,” Bobby explained. “I see a big difference
by the end of the circuit. It works out really well, especially for
maybe your second-string kids that
learn a lot by coming here.”
The Vermont Summer Festival
hosts a variety of competitive
divisions across equitation, hunters
and jumpers, but equitation is
arguably the show’s strong suit.
As Bobby pointed out, countless
riders who grew up competing on
the circuit have gone on to win the
nation’s most prestigious equitation
finals, including the ASPCA Maclay
Medal, United States Equestrian
Federation (USEF) Show Jumping
Talent Search, and the Pessoa/
USEF National Hunter Seat Medal.
The level of competition can’t
be replicated, and neither can the
idyllic setting of East Dorset, which
Bobby described as an economical
alternative to traveling to multiple
shows that allows teenagers to
have just enough fun without going
overboard.
“It’s
expensive
to
show
anywhere, but it’s probably a little
less expensive to stay here and
show for the whole summer and
work every week. It’s really easy
e
Vermont Summer Festival
Puts Riders Through Equitation “Boot Camp”
John Porter and Kennebec winning the THIS Children’s Medal at the 2013 Vermont Summer
Festival.
