Torano and Capitano were the first in the order to post a clear round and were quickly followed by Friday’s $10,000 Betsey Johnson Welcome Stake winners, Megan Young and Calvados. Amanda Flint and Superbad joined the good list a few horses later with their fault-free performance, and the final horse and rider combination on course, Caitlin Venezia and Okapi De Ste Hermelle made it a four-horse jump-off.
Going into the second round, Torano sped around the eight efforts, which looped through the middle of the ring, with Capitano jumping all the elements flawlessly and crossed the finish line in a time to beat of 34.78 seconds.
Young and Calvados, the next pair, tried to catch the leader, but were unable to leave all the fences intact. A four fault penalty in a time of 39.18 would ultimately give them fourth place.
Superbad and Amanda Flint looked like they were on track to contest Torano’s lead, but even though the bay gelding was penalty free, their time of 38.80 seconds did not come close and they went home with second place.
Last to go, Caitlin Venezia and Okapi De Ste Hermelle, turned in a very conservative ride. Keeping the 13 year old chestnut gelding well under wraps, they crossed the timers in 41.10 with a clear round and took the third place money.
“Capitano is such a good boy,” Torano commented, giving all the credit to her longtime partner. “He is 16 now and he was great here last year, and then he had a little injury at Indoors and I didn’t know if he was going to come back because of his age, but here he is and he wants to do this. He has so much heart and that is what makes a difference when you come right down to it, is the heart.”
Husband Jimmy Torano was not here to coach his wife, as he left the Vermont show grounds to compete in the Grand Prix at Saugerties.
“It is a little more nerve-wracking when he isn’t here because I lean on him,” said Torano. “When he is not here I have to make the decisions. I have jumped bigger tracks than the one today, but I was more nervous because he wasn’t right here. I jumped here last year on my own, but I was just coming back from the baby and it wasn’t as much pressure.
“Him not being here today hit me. I called him on the phone to tell him the course so he could help me, because it just makes me feel better. Jimmy is in the ring right now [in Saugerties] so I hope he does well. I would rather that we do this together, but if we have to do it apart, this was a great outcome and it would be nice if he could have the same.
“It is funny, but I think I go faster when Jimmy is gone.”
Offering more than $750,000 in prize money, the Vermont Summer Festival is the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont. The first five Sundays of the Vermont Summer Festival feature a $30,000 Grand Prix at 1 p.m., culminating with the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix on Sunday, August 14. In addition to the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, held each Friday, the weekly $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Classics are hotly contested. New for 2011, the Vermont Summer Festival will host a $5,000 Hunter Derby each Thursday five of the six weeks.
Competition begins at 8 a.m. daily, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, Wednesday through Saturday. On Grand Prix Sunday, admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children. As always, 100 percent of the gate proceeds benefit the Friends Foundation for MEMS, (Manchester Elementary and Middle School).