Press release from Desert International Horse Park, edited by World of Showjumping

Canada’s Vanessa Mannix calls Lehar (Verdi TN x d'Ukase) her “bona fide good boy,” and the gelding certainly lived up to that nickname on Thursday, February 12, at Desert International Horse Park. The duo topped a competitive 12-horse jump-off to win the $32,000 BRAINJUICE Active CSI3* 1.45m Classic at Desert Circuit 6, presented by Premier Equestrian.  

Colm Quinn designed the course for the 37-entry class in the Grand Prix Stadium, and it ultimately yielded 14 fault-free rounds. While two riders elected to withdraw before the jump-off, the still sizeable jump-off field meant the fast-paced race was on.

Ali Ramsay (CAN) and Ramsay Equestrian Inc.’s Conrado 12 (Cardento x Diarado) set the early time to beat at 39.49 seconds, but just two trips later, Mannix and Lehar cruised into the lead on a time of 38.82 seconds.

Through the remaining seven returners, no one would catch either Mannix or Ramsay, earning them the top two spots. Third place with a time of 40.80 seconds went to the USA’s Emily Esau Williams on Cascarado (Cascadello I x Diarado), owned by McKee Sport Horses LLC. Ramsay also finished in fourth with Maaike Paola (Grandorado TN N.O.P. x Landkaiser), owned by Ramsay Equestrian Inc.

“I watched a couple [in the jump-off], but I really had my own plan,” said Mannix. “My biggest focus was really using Lehar’s big stride. He jumps better from a little bit of a deeper distance; so I was trying to be really thoughtful about my track. Honestly, I thought it was one of our best jump-offs. I felt that, from start to finish, we really stayed on our plan and stayed really connected. I was so proud of how that felt. So, whether we got the win or not, I was delighted with our jump-off.”

Mannix has been partnered with Lehar since 2023 and is quick to credit the 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood — as well as her team, including Katie Warman, Sadie Brown, and trainers Conor Swail and James Chawke.

“Lehar is just the most wonderful horse,” said Mannix, of the horse that she took to the 2024 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Riyadh. “I’m so lucky to have him…He’s just really, really kind and always trying to help you. He’s very experienced now at this level too. It’s nice now to be using him in the 1.45m, 1.50m classes. He feels so comfortable and competitive, so that’s awesome. We’ve been working on our speed, so it feels good to kind of have it all come together today.”

Mannix and Lehar will next contest Saturday night’s $117,000 Premier Equestrian CSI3* Grand Prix, one of the featured highlights of Desert Circuit 6 at Desert International Horse Park. With 10 weeks of top-caliber competition, Desert Circuit continues through March 15, 2026.