East Dorset, Vermont — Competitors taking part in the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival, running July 4 through August 12 in East Dorset, VT, can now submit their entries electronically thanks to a new partnership with Equestrian Connect, a leading online service for horse show entry.

In 2011, Vermont Summer Festival exhibitors were able to use Equestrian Connect’s service to fill out their entry forms, but then had to print and mail them in. This year, there’s no printing required! Full electronic submissions are now available, offering Vermont Summer Festival competitors both convenience and excellent customer service.

“Electronic entry submissions was the natural next step for our service,” said Barbara Phillips, Equestrian Connect co-founder. “Both exhibitors and horse show managers were asking for it. We’ve been very happy with how quickly the market is adopting this new capability.”

Equestrian Connect launched its entry service in 2010. In the last two years, it has attracted more than 6,500 members. The company posts entry forms for more than 800 USEF A/AA hunter/jumper shows throughout the U.S. and Canada. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival is the first show series in its region to accept entries electronically through Equestrian Connect.

“We are committed to offering our exhibitors the best experience possible, whether it is before, during and even after our horse shows,” explained Ruth Lacey, Marketing Director for the Vermont Summer Festival. “Doing entries has historically been a laborious process, and we are thrilled to make the entry process as easy as possible for this year’s Vermont Summer Festival.”

Veteran Vermont Summer Festival competitor, Valerie Renihan of Findlay’s Ridge in North Salem, New York, said, “I love the idea! I used Equestrian Connect last year to submit my entries. Being able to do everything electronically this year, and not having to print everything out, saves me a big step. I’m sure a lot of people will take advantage of it.”

Equestrian Connect is available for a 45-day free trial. Once the free trial period ends, exhibitors have two pricing options: $49.99 for an annual subscription per horse, or $8 per entry form. For more information about Equestrian Connect, or to submit your entries online for the Vermont Summer Festival, please visit EquestrianConnect.com.

Entries for the first three weeks of the Vermont Summer Festival are due by June 8, while entries for weeks four through six are due by June 22. The Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition and will offer more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.

New for 2012, the first five Saturdays of the Vermont Summer Festival will feature a $30,000 Grand Prix. During Week Six, the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, August 11. The weekly $10,000 Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, will now be held each Thursday.

For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont. The Vermont Summer Festival is a proud member event of the Show Jumping Hall Of Fame, the Marshall & Sterling League, and the North American League (NAL). Please e-mail us or visit our website for more information about the Vermont Summer Festival.