Littlestown, Pa. – Sept. 2, 2016 – The $2,500 1.30m Quentin Fall Classic Open Speed class wrapped up Friday’s action at the Swan Lake Horse Show, and it was Jennifer Brennan and Shannondell Farm’s Mac who bested the field with their quick effort to earn the win.
The early leaders, Matthias Hollberg and Caroline Quanbeck’s Silou Des Trourelles, set the time to beat at 70.84 seconds.
“Silou Des Trourelles usually does the Junior Jumpers, but his rider couldn’t make it to the show” Hollberg explained. “I know the horse more from the ground than in the saddle, but he was a good boy today. He was right on and wanted to jump around fast and clean, so that was great. He comes out quiet every day; he’s a nice quiet chap and a friendly guy.”
Brennan and Mac unseated the duo with their efficient round, stopping the clocks in 69.36 seconds to take over the lead.
“We’re hoping to make Mac’s debut in the grand prix tomorrow,” Brennan said. “We didn’t want to undo him today by going too fast, but he has such a big step and is so naturally fast. We were tidy and rode direct, and it worked out. He is very brave, and today was fun. It was a great win and a great place to win at.”
Brennan, who has ridden Mac for about two years, said his owner saw the big gelding in a field, loved him and purchased half of the big gelding when he was just 3 years old.
“Mac is super, super talented and very sensitive,” Brennan explained. “He’s really starting to come together now as an 8-year-old. The partnership aspect is very important with him; he has to trust you. He’s very hot and sensitive, and he’s gigantic, so you would think he would be cold. He’s an odd combination of gigantic and sensitive, but he’s a fun guy. It’s been very rewarding starting from little jumps and getting to this point and putting it together.”
In addition to her blue ribbon, Brennan also took home fourth place on another mount, Dwight, who is also owned by Shannondell Farm. Although their time of 70.03 seconds was fast enough for second place, an unfortunate knockdown put them in fourth with 4 faults. The duo slid in behind Mary Lisa Leffler and Patty Foster’s Hope Town, whose clear time of 71.63 seconds would earn them third.
Brennan, who is based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, said she loves living close to the showgrounds and having the opportunity to show at Swan Lake.
“We love coming here,” Brennan said. “It’s super peaceful here, and I’ve always liked that. The footing is fantastic, and the staff has always been really kind and helpful.”
Earlier in the day, during the $1,000 1.30m Open Jumper, Miranda Scott and her own Quick Latinus rode away with the win after turning in a double-clear effort. Their jump-off time of 39.95 seconds would hold for the lead, leaving Hollberg and Courtney Ramsay’s Czechmate in second and Scott’s other entry, Melanie Roy’s Montoya, in third.
The action at the Swan Lake Quentin Fall Classic will continue on Saturday with the highlight $25,000 Quentin Fall Classic Grand Prix.
Find more about the Quentin Fall Classic online at www.swanlakehorseshows.com.
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“We at Dover Saddlery look to support high quality horse shows where our customers are competing,” said Janet Nittmann, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Business Development at Dover. “The Swan Lake Horse Show series fits perfectly into this category.”