Linda Orton and her own Top Honors were awarded the hunter championship title during the inaugural week of TAKE2 Thoroughbred classes at the Vermont Summer Festival. With owner and trainer Linda Orton, Top Honors nearly swept the division, collecting blue ribbons in all but one class during week two of competition at the Vermont Summer Festival at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.
Top Honors has been an invaluable member of Orton’s Manor Ridge Farm, based in Hoosick Falls, for over ten years. While the horse’s sire was a noted racehorse, Top Honors never made it to the track. Instead, Orton acquired him when he was just over one year old and trained him into a trusted show mount.
“He does the adult hunters, the children’s hunters, the walk class,” said Orton. “He’s done leadline, too. He’s done every level up to the 3’3” divisions. He’s very versatile and just loves his job. “We call him our ‘seeing eye horse.’ Every person who’s ever ridden him has been champion in some division, and that’s probably been at least 20 people. He loves to show and when he walks in the ring, it’s all business. He wants to win.”
This is the first year that the Vermont Summer Festival has offered TAKE2 Thoroughbred classes, which are being contested during weeks 2, 3 and 4 of the six week circuit. Orton was happy to see the inclusion of the thoroughbred classes at this year’s Vermont Summer Festival, which she feels gives thoroughbreds an opportunity to shine despite their decreasing presence in the show ring. “We have quite a few thoroughbreds in our barn so it’s nice that now there are divisions that are special for them,” Orton remarked.
Top Honors has lived up to his name in several other TAKE2 divisions, including those at the Saratoga Classic Horse Show. He was hunter division champion the first week of the show and received reserve champion honors the following week.
TAKE2 Thoroughbred competition will continue through week four of the Vermont Summer Festival. Hunter classes award $350 in prize money for each over fences class and $150 for the under saddle. Jumper classes hand out $500 for each class.
The Vermont Summer Festival continues through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm. The six week circuit, celebrating its 20th anniversary in its current Manchester location, offers more than $750,000 in prize money, making it the richest sporting event based on purse in the state of Vermont.
TAKE2 was created in 2012 by the partnership of the New York Racing Association and the New York Horsemen’s Association. The classes sponsored by the program aim to create a market for retired racehorses to enjoy a happy and productive second career.