Littlestown, Pa. – Sept. 4, 2016 – Amanda Tobias closed out the Swan Lake Quentin Fall Classic with a win aboard Zhivago Z in the $3,500 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic. Similarly, Courtney Logan and Prince Royal claimed the blue ribbon in the $2,500 NAL/WIHS/M&S Adult Classic.
Tobias and Zhivago Z turned in a clear first round to advance to the jump-off, where they set the time to beat at 38.31 seconds. Their lead held out wire-to-wire to earn them the blue ribbon, leaving Shawna Stout and her own Krake ASK in second with a time of 42.34 seconds.
“My plan was to find my distances,” Tobias said. “Everything worked out, and he felt great. This is my favorite show to come to. It’s local, it’s gorgeous, the footing is awesome and I love the jumps – everything is well maintained.”
Tobias said she has been riding Zhivago Z for about two years now, and the chestnut gelding is just returning to the horse show ring after undergoing surgery for kissing spine.
“This is Zhivago’s fifth show back, and our third time doing the Low Amateur-Owners,” Tobias explained. “It’s been amazing building a partnership with him over the past two years. He is the best horse I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t trade him. He’s like a Cadillac; he’s perfect. He’s super easy; even my 12-year-old can ride him.”
Earlier in the day, it was Logan and Prince Royal’s moment in the spotlight during the $2,500 NAL/WIHS/M&S Adult Classic, as the duo delivered a clear round to earn a place in the seven-horse jump off.
“My plan was to keep him clear in the first round,” Logan said. “It was a nice course. I had to be forward on the pace, because some people had time faults. Prince Royal is really good for that.”
When they returned for the short course, Win Lewis and her own Mr. Pike were the current leaders with their time of 38.71 seconds. Logan and Prince Royal unseated the leaders with by taking tight turns, clocking the winning time of 37.102 seconds. Lewis and Mr. Pike would hold on for second place.
“I get really picky with my hands,” Logan said. “My main goal with those tighter turns in the jump-off was to keep the pace moving forward. If I keep him moving forward, he’s great. If I start picking, he will contort his body to leave the jumps up, but I would rather not ask that of him. He was really good today.”
After taking a break from competing in the show ring to start a family, Logan said she began leasing 9-year-old Prince Royal at the beginning of the year.
“Prince Royal is saintly,” Logan said. “He’s got the best personality, and he saves you when you end up in a problem spot. He’s very forgiving. He loves his job, too. I rode him for fun in a lesson one time, and Mary [Lisa Leffler] turned to me and said, ‘he could be yours.’ I laughed it off, but the next time I saw Patty [Foster], she said that we needed to make it happen.”
Logan, who works as a production director for Sodexo during the week, said that having a horse that is as fun and easygoing as Prince Royal makes her work/riding balance enjoyable.
“I am the true definition of an amateur,” Logan continued. “I work during the week, and I ride during the weekends. I’m just here to have fun, and I do this for the love of it. My husband brings our baby to all my horse shows; it’s a fun family thing. And Prince Royal just makes this so much fun. He’s one of the nicest horses I’ve ever had, which is just a blessing at this point, being half-dedicated to a family and half-dedicated to riding.”
Tobias’ and Logan’s wins in Sunday’s jumper classics marked the conclusion of the Quentin Fall Classic, but head to www.swanlakehorseshows.com to find out more about upcoming shows.