Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – July 18, 2019 – Ali Ramsay (CAN) scored her second consecutive victory riding Casino at Wesley Clover Parks by claiming the $37,000 Capital Classic CSI 3* on Thursday, July 18, during the second week of the Ottawa International CSI 3*  show jumping tournament  in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

One day earlier, Ramsay had piloted Casino to his first Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) victory in the $7,000 Welcome CSI 3*.  In Thursday’s competition, Ramsay and Casino were one of 31 entries to contest the first-round track set by German course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr.  A clear round qualified them for the tie-breaking jump-off where they faced nine other opponents.

Julia Madigan (CAN) & Farfelu du Printemps

The time to beat had been set at 39.24 seconds by Julia Madigan (CAN), a 23-year-old athlete hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, riding Farfelu du Printemps.  With tight turns and Casino’s large, ground-covering stride, Ramsay stopped the timers in 39.07 seconds to move to the top of the leaderboard, leaving Madigan in second.

“He’s so fun out there!” said Ramsay of Casino, an 11-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding  (Casiro I x Ludwig Von Bayern) owned by Ramsay Equestrian Inc.  “He’s really on form.  It feels super nice and easy; when he’s that rideable, it’s just fun.  I’m really, really happy.”

Ali Ramsay (CAN) & Casino were presented as the winners of the $37,000 Capital Classic CSI 3* by (from left to right) Ann Matthews, Tracy Howard, and Tony Dunn.

Ramsay has been taking her time moving Casino up the ranks since acquiring him two years ago, and, with the horse’s first two FEI wins coming in as many days, Ramsay is excited about his future.

“We’ve just been working on getting consistent, and I think the sky’s the limit once we get it,” said Ramsay, 27, who recently stepped out on her own to begin a riding and training business after working as assistant trainer for Canadian Olympic team silver medalist, Jill Henselwood.  “He felt so good today.  He made up the time [with a stride out to the last fence], and he also turned so well.  He literally did everything I asked.  I couldn’t have asked for more of him!”

Beth Underhill (CAN) & Count Me In

Finishing in third with a jump-off time of 40.65 seconds was Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill (CAN) riding Count Me In.  The pair had won both the $36,100 Open Welcome CSI 2* and the $36,100 Classic CSI 2* during the Ottawa International CSI 2* , held from July 10-14.  Fourth place went to Canadian Olympian Amy Millar (CAN) of Perth, Ontario, Canada, who was the only other rider to jump double clear and stopped the clock in 41.53 seconds aboard Truman.

Nicole Walker (CAN) of Aurora, ON, who will be making her major games debut next month at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, posted the fastest four-fault effort to place fifth with a time of 41.28 seconds riding Excellent B.

The second week of the Ottawa International continues through Sunday, July 21.  Featured events include 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 Grand Prix CSI 3*, 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  Ottawa International II CSI 3*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.

Find more information on all of the Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments online at www.OttawaEquestrianTournaments.com, and find the latest updates, news, and photos by following Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments on Facebook here.

Results – $37,000 Capital Classic CSI 3* – Thursday, July 18

1. Ali Ramsay (CAN) & Casino – 0 / 0 – 39.07
2. Julia Madigan (CAN) & Farfelu du Printemps –  0 / 0 – 39.24
3. Beth Underhill (CAN) & Count Me In – 0 / 0 – 40.65
4. Amy Millar (CAN) & Truman – 0 / 0 – 41.53
5. Nicole Walker (CAN) & Excellent B –  0 / 4 –  41.28
6. Alberto Michan (ISR) & El Pacho – 0 / 4 – 41.47
7. Ali Ramsay (CAN) & Lutz – 0 / 4 – 41.49
8. Amy Millar (CAN) & Ericson – 0 / 4  – 43.82
9. Sam Walker (CAN) & Coralissa – 0 / 8 – 41.97
10. Daniel Coyle (CAN) &  Legacy – 0 / 8 – 49.96

Source: Press release from Jump Media for Wesley Clover Parks

Photos: © Ben Radvanyi Photography