Ali Ramsay of Victoria, BC, opened the Ottawa International II show jumping tournament by winning the $7,000 CSI3* Welcome, presented by Deloitte, on Wednesday, July 17, at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.
Twenty-three horse-rider combinations attempted the one-round speed competition over a track set by German course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. on the expansive grass grand prix field. Only three riders managed to produce clear rounds with Ramsay doing it in the quickest time, 74.66 seconds, to claim the opening day victory. The win marked Ramsay’s first time competing at the Ottawa International and the first time her horse, Casino, won a competition sanctioned by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).
“This is actually my first time showing here,” said Ramsay, 27. “I love it. It’s a really nice facility, has great footing, and the barns are nice. I really don’t have a complaint.”
Of Casino, an 11-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding sired by Casiro I and owned by Ramsay Equestrian Inc., Ramsay noted, “This is Casino’s first FEI win so it’s really exciting! He’s not the quickest horse. He’s very scopey and a has a bit of a big stride so usually speed classes aren’t our forte. I just went with the tactic to go in and jump a nice clear round and get what we get, and it worked out for us.”
Jonathan and Christine McCrea, who are husband and wife as well as United States Equestrian Team veterans, took second and third place respectively. Jonathan guided Aristoteles V, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, home clear in a time of 81.82 seconds while Christine produced the only other clear ride of the day in 84.20 seconds riding Nektarina B, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare. Both horses are owned by Christine’s mother, Candy Tribble, of East Windsor, CT.
Ireland’s Daniel Coyle left all the rails in place riding Cita for owner Ariel Grange but incurred two time faults for exceeding the time allowed, finishing fourth in the overall standings. His older brother, Jordan Coyle, was on target for the win riding Colorado for owner Tegan Treacy when the final fence fell, leaving him in fifth place with the fastest four-fault effort in 70.36 seconds.
The CSI3* Ottawa International II continues through Sunday, July 21. Featured events include the $37,000 CSI3* Capital Classic at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 18; the $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by MarBill Hill Farm, on Friday afternoon, July 19; and the featured event of the week, the $134,000 CSI3* Grand Prix, presented by the Brookstreet Hotel, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. The $15,000 National Grand Prix, presented by CIBC Wood Gundy, will close out the Ottawa International II on Sunday, July 21, at 2:30 p.m.
Admission to the CSI3* Ottawa International II is free, with donations to Wesley Clover Parks’ retired horse program gratefully accepted. Spectators are encouraged to come out and enjoy all of the family-friendly activities that the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments have to offer.
$7,000 CSI3* Welcome Speed, presented by Deloitte – Wednesday, July 17
Rider/Hometown/Horse/Faults/Time
1. Ali Ramsay/Victoria, BC/Casino/0/74.66
2. Jonathan McCrea/United States/Aristoteles V/0/81.82
3. Christine McCrea/United States/Nektarina B/0/84.20
4. Daniel Coyle/Ireland/Cita/2/91.74
5. Jordan Coyle/Ireland/Colorado/4/70.36
6. Stella Manship/United States/Dundalk/4/73.49
7. Ian Millar/Perth, ON/Christiano/4/74.88
8. Sam Walker/Nobleton, ON/Coralissa/4/75.38
9. Karen Sparks/Kanata, ON/Calvin Klein/4/76.37
10. Marie Antoinette Leviste/Philippines Loribri/4/77.04
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