Course designer Manuel Esparza of Mexico challenged horses and riders over a 13-fence serpentine in the first round, but only seven were invited back to jump-off after going clear.
Twenty-one-year-old Kaely Tomeu (USA) and Gentille, owned by Siboney Ranch, produced the first double-clear round of the jump-off, stopping the timers in 40.930 seconds as second to go in the order.
It looked as though Tomeu would take the win as the only exhibitor to go clear in the tie-breaking round, as faults were collected throughout the next four rounds, until Coles and the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding entered the ring as the final combination to jump-off.
The pair galloped around the shortened track, adding no faults to their name, and crossed the finish line in 40.450 seconds to clinch the blue ribbon.
David Beisel and Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC’s Call Me Hannes finished in third place as the fastest of the 4 faulters in 39.860 seconds.
In addition to her winning title and prize money, Coles took home a bottle of wine, courtesy of Black Star Farms, and a gift certificate for a free custom portrait from Kristi’s Canvas. Coles was also presented with one of Bloomfield Open Hunts’ historic trophies, the Wayne State University Grand Prix Trophy from the historic Motor City Horse Show, by Dean and Wendly Groulx. To learn more about these very special trophies, click here.
GLEF will return next week with another “Equitation Tuesday” on July 18. Week Three will also feature the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2* on Friday and the $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix CSI2*, presented by North Face Farm, on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Flintfields Horse Park.
Click here to watch Sloane Coles’ interview!