Press release from Desert International Horse Park

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.”

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.”

Show jumping continues Saturday with the $38,700 Kask CSI3* 1.45m Classic followed by the $50,000 Pyranha National Grand Prix.