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Rileigh Tibbott and Kahlua 7 Ride to Win in Blue Rock Classic's $5,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic

by Phelps Media Group | May 23, 2016, 9:47 AM

Bailey Doloff and Diva (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Bailey Doloff and Diva (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Littlestown, Pa.
- As the rain continued to fall over Swan Lake Horse Show, riders donned their white breeches and braved the elements to compete in Sunday's series of jumper classics.

The day began with the $1,500 NAL/WIHS/M&S Child Classic, in which Bailey Doloff and Diva took and held an early lead with a jump-off time of 29.781 seconds. Aside from clocking the fastest time of the division, the duo's quick round was the fastest of the day.

"We got Diva back in August around the Devon Fall Classic," Doloff said. "I already have a pony jumper that I do 1.10m and 1.15m on, and I was ready to move up. So, we've been working with her since then. It's wet out today, so I was just trying to make it as smooth as possible. I didn't want to slip or make any mistakes."

Following in second with a time of 33.935 seconds were Emily Katznelson and Dolce Vita W Z. Third and fourth place went to Sydney Moriarty on Dimple and The Taskmaster, respectively.

Celaine So and Alimit (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Celaine So and Alimit (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
The $2,500 NAL/WIHS/M&S Adult Classic was next in the ring, and the last to show, Celaine So and Alimit, clocked a time of 31.493 to steal the lead.

"Alimit is a new ride for me, so this is the first time I've done a Classic on him," So commented. "He did fantastic. I wasn't even planning on going fast yet, because we're still learning each other. He's a sports coup; he's just very smooth. He's one of those light horses, which I like. I was very pleased with him."

Only one-tenth of a second separated second-place finisher Anna-Charlotte Brosowski and Dire-Street from So's lead, and Marissa Fogal and Da Laila clocked in a mere two-hundredths of a second behind Brosowski for third.

As the day continued with the $3,500 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic, it was Gruschenka Mojica Sanchez and Hollywood's Eleven who came out on top with a time of 70.61. The duo delivered the only clear round, therefore eliminating the jump-off.

Rileigh Tibbott and Kahlua 7 (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Rileigh Tibbott and Kahlua 7 (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Wrapping up the day's action, Rileigh Tibbott and Kahlua 7 came ready to win in the $5,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic. The duo turned in the only clear round with a time of 75.2 seconds.

"Kahlua is a horse that no matter where I put her, I can trust her to do well," Tibbott said. "So, I go in knowing that I'm going to get from start to finish. She hadn't jumped this big in four months. I wasn't nervous, but I was aware of it. She went in and handled it like a pro."

Tibbott said she acquired the 8-year-old mare on a trip to Germany last July.

"I rode 19 horses, and she was the second-to-last one I tried," Tibbot said. "I knew the second I got on her that I loved her. Within two months, I did my first grand prix on her. She's so easy going and just doesn't care. She has taught me so much in such a short period of time."

Lindsay Mutschler and Fielding Close Out 2016 Blue Rock Classic with Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship

It was another cold, wet and successful day at the 2016 Blue Rock Classic for Lindsay Mutschler and Fielding. The pair secured the Amateur-Owner 3'6" Hunter Championship, as well as the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship at the Swan Lake Horse Show.

Lindsay Mutschler and Fielding (Devaney Iglesias/Phelps Media Group)
Lindsay Mutschler and Fielding (Devaney Iglesias/Phelps Media Group)
"The weather is helping him!" Mutschler said. "He was jumping amazing today. Obviously, it's a little wet out there, but it's not horrible."

On the last day of the Swan Lake horse show, Mutschler and Fielding had two first-place finishes and a second place to add to the rest of the weekend's success, earning them the overall division championship. It was déjà vu for the horse-and-rider duo, who had the same result during last week's St. Christopher's Horse Show.

Mutschler was proud of the weekend's outcome as she prepares for the Devon Horse Show, which will take place May 26 - June 5.

"This was a huge confidence booster," Mutschler said about earning her ribbons. "I'm just going to look at Devon like it's just another horse show and not Devon. He's going to get a lot of flat work up until then. We'll head to Devon next Thursday."

Making their debut in the Amateur-Owner 3'6" Hunter division was reserve champion Elizabeth Faraci and Nightfall.

"He just turned six," Faraci said about her black mount. "This is his first time at 3'6", actually. He did it well in the mud, despite the unfortunate weather."

The young, competitive pair had an excellent debut earning top ribbons behind Mutchler. "He's fun," Faraci continued. "He's pretty straightforward. He's green, but very willing. He certainly wants to jump and do a good job. I think he'll be real quality for the future. He's a beautiful mover, and he tries very hard."

Following the Amateur-Owner division, Kaitlyn Williams rode her 11-year-old mount to the championship in the Junior 3'6" Hunter division sponsored by C.M. Hadfield Saddlery.

Kaitlyn Williams and Little Rock (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Kaitlyn Williams and Little Rock (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
"He's a really good jumper," Williams said about Little Rock. "He has a lot of stride, so he can go really slow. He's an ideal hunter-type."

Like most riders, Williams' approach to the over fences' classes was to be aware of the muddy footing, but to ride forward.

"I wanted to be very accurate and get down all the lines," Williams explained. "There was no need to leave long or leave too deep then what was necessary, because they get a little stuck in the mud."

The duo competed together at a Swan Lake horse show for the first time this weekend and did so successfully, earning three first-place finishes, and a second place ribbon to secure the championship title.

Leah Toscano also saw success in the Junior 3'6" Hunter division sponsored by C.M. Hadfield Saddlery, capturing the reserve championship title.

With the Blue Rock Classic wrapping up, the Swan Lake Horse Shows are already preparing for their summer events, including the Summer Kick Off Classic.

Find out more about the Swan Lake Horse Shows please visit  www.swanlakehorseshows.com.