Ali Ramsay (Victoria, BC) and Lutz flew to the top of the leaderboard in the $100,000 Horseflight Grand Prix at The Desert International Horse Park, halting the jump-off timers at 36.649 seconds. Keri Potter (Del Mar, CA) and Jiminy Cricket, owned by Melanie Brooks, took second place for their performance of 37.353 seconds, while Rich Fellers (Oregon City, OR) and his own Lux Lady, claimed third-place honors with a time of 37.507 seconds.

First to go in the jump-off, Keri Potter set a difficult Aon Time to Beat. Ramsay, who was second to last in the jump-off, had a plan, “ I just knew I had to go for it and I knew he was with me so I could take a bit of a risk and it paid off.” ”

Lutz has been a part of Ramsay’s string of horses since last April. “We’ve actually had a really solid partnership together since then and we have just been building on it,” Ramsay also shared that Lutz does have a personality of his own, “He is quite sassy and he’s got a lot of attitude, especially at the beginning of the tour here [Desert International Horse Park]. He’s nice and fresh and is letting me know it.”

Ramsay shared that she plans to stay for the duration of the circuit and is enjoying the improvements around the facility, “It’s really exciting to see the new horse park, it feels different, and it’s really nice to be here.“

The Grand Prix win will put Lutz at the top of the Great American Insurance Group Leading Jumper Rider Board and in standings to qualify for the Week VIII Grand Prix Invitational that Ramsay aspires to qualify for, “That’s the goal!”

WEEK I JUMPER CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT

$10,000 Open Classic 1.35m Open Classic, sponsored by Stal Hendrix

Emily Esau Williams & Dandy

$2,500 JR/A-O/AM Jumper Classic, sponsored by Vitaflex

Hannah Loly & Ayma de la Demi Lune

$1,000 JR/AMA-O Jumper Classic, sponsored by Desert Flight

Masissa Maas & Lord Loriend

1.30m Jumper Division, sponsored by ALU Jumps

Kyle King & Gavanta

1.10m Jumper Division, sponsored by Equestrian Connect

Stephany Powers & Chicago

WEEK I HUNTER CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT

$1,000 Junior Hunter Classic, sponsored by Parlanti

Juliette Joseph & Philadelphia Story

$500 NAL Adult Hunter Classic, sponsored by Outdoor Outfitters

Cathy Morris-Schmitt & Andover

A-O Hunter 3’6” Division, sponsored by Aleron Training Stables

Didi Mackenzie & MTM Do Right

Green Hunter 3’3”, sponsored by Equithrive

John Bragg & Macarthur

Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50, sponsored by Run Amok Horse Transportation

Katie Cook & Doheny