Tali Dejong (USA) & Vaillant De Belle Vue. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Thermal, California, USA – March 02, 2023 –The Canadian anthem played a second time in the Grand Prix Arena during Desert Circuit VII as Ali Ramsay (CAN) took victory in the $38,700 Ramard CSI3* 1.50m Speed. Aboard Conrado 12, as second to last in the starting order, Ramsay took her second FEI win of the season at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) on an exciting mount with promise for the future.
“I felt like he was ready to do what I needed him to do today,” she said of Conrado 12, owned by Ramsay Equestrian Inc. “I felt like he was with me for whatever I needed. Every day I jump him he gets scopier, he gets more confident, and he gets better. I think watching him and feeling his progression over the weeks here has been pretty cool for me.”
Joey Rycroft (CAN) set a challenging track for the international field, and clear rounds were few and far between. Up until Ramsay stepped in, Tali Dejong (USA) led the way with Vaillant De Belle Vue, ultimately taking second place as the class drew to a close. Savannah Jenkins (USA) took third with Comrado, owned by Proper 12 LLC, as the only other clear round.
Ramsay knew there weren’t many clears, so her plan was solid and she clocked in as the only pair clear and within 70 seconds. “Today it felt like I didn’t even need to try,” she said. “He just kicked into another gear and I felt like I was flying.”
Ramsay was the 2022 Canadian national champion aboard her mare Bonita Van’t Keizershof Z, but Conrado 12 has been her real superstar emerging during Desert Circuit, despite the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Cardento x Diarado) being a different type for her.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever had a horse like this before,” she remarked. “My type, if you think of Bonita and my horse Lutz I used to have, is small, bloody, and a bit of a lighter type, and I think we’re learning each other more so we’re adapting to each other. He’s a different kind of careful, scopey, power feeling that I don’t think I’ve ever had before. But I like it. I might try to find a couple more like that.”
Savannah Jenkins (USA) & Comrado. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
On Sunday, Ramsay and Conrado 12 will jump only their second 1.50m Grand Prix together, and in the coming weeks, Ramsay will be debuting a new mount at DIHP, one that may echo the success she’s had with Conrado 12. “I think he’s going to be really exciting,” she said of her new horse, arriving this week. “He’s Baltimore x Cardento, and Cardento is ‘Cody’s’ sire, so I guess maybe he has a little Cody in him. I’ve decided I’m a big fan of Cardento.”
Final Results – $38,700 Ramard Speed CSI 3* 1.50m
1. CONRADO 12: 2013 ZANG gelding by Cardento x Diarado
ALI RAMSAY (CAN), Ramsay Equestrian Inc.: 0/69.40
2. VAILLANT DE BELLE VUE: 2009 AA gelding by Calin Du Plessis x Peeping Tom A
TALI DEJONG (USA), Tali Dejong: 0/70.82
3. COMRADO: 2011 DSP gelding by Como 25 x Coronado 3
SAVANNAH JENKINS (USA), Proper 12, LLC: 0/76.06
4. FEYON: 2010 KWPN gelding by Zazou R x Hamilton
KAITLIN CAMPBELL (USA), SWS Training & Sales: 4/69.17
5. GALLUP: 2011 KWPN stallion by Hickstead x Rush-Hour
SHAUNA COOK (CAN), Gallup Syndicate: 4/74.12
6. ECHO DE VIRTON: 2010 SBS gelding by Vagabond De La Pomme x Grignoteur De La Fontaine
MARIE VALDAR LONGEM (NOR), Marie Valdar Longem: 4/77.96
7. PASQUINELLE: 2012 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Centaurus x Feliciano
EMILY FITZGERALD (CAN), Emily Fitzgerald: 4/82.29
8. THEO 160: 2012 HOLST gelding by Christian 25 x Calando IV
CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Team Philippaerts: 8/62.94
9. CEROLINO: 2013 HOLST gelding by Cero x Come On
KYLE KING (USA), Strasburg Morin Inc.: 8/68.33
10. CARMELA Z: 2011 ZANG mare by Candillo 3 x Nissan Caretano Z
VANESSA MANNIX (CAN), Vanessa Mannix: 8/70.62
11. CASIANO: 2014 Anglo European gelding by Casino Berlin x Iroko
CHANDLER MEADOWS (USA), Chandler Meadows: 8/73.01
12. LIVESTREAM 2: 2010 OLDBG gelding by Lordanos x Landadel
LISA CARLSEN (CAN), Lisa Carlsen: 12/72.67
Source: Press Release by Tori Bilas for Desert International Horse Park
Photos: © DIHP / HD – High Desert Photo / MG / ON
Categories: CSI 3*, Desert Horse Park
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