Andrew Ramsay & Stranger. Ph. ©PicsofYou/LOI
Andrew Ramsay and the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Stranger were best on Saturday, March 11, 2017 in the $35,000 Sovaro 1.50m CSI3*-W at the Live Oak International in Ocala, Florida, USA. Ramsay bested a starting field of 58 entries from 10 countries, and topped a big jumpoff field of 14 pairs claim the win.
Going early in the jumpoff and holding the lead down a long startlist is no easy task, but that’s exactly what Ramsay was able to accomplish as the second rider to return for the jumpoff. He followed Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, who had laid down the first clear aboard Concho, and topped O’Connor’s time of 41.48 seconds in 39.27 seconds. That time would stand for the rest of the class.
“My goal in the jump-off was to save the horse for tomorrow, but be competitive and have a good pace from the first fence. It worked out today and I’m very happy with it,” said Ramsay. “We call him Mouse because he can be a little afraid and spooky and can make himself a little small, but he is naturally a fast horse and today he made himself not so small.
“Every year (Live Oak International) seems to improve, and to have one class a day allows us to really focus and give the proper time to our horses and really enjoy the show,” Ramsay added.
“To have one class a day allows us to really focus and give the proper time to our horses.”
Devin Ryan, went as last on course aboard Eddie Blue, an eight-year-old KWPN gelding, and gave it a valiant try in 40.36 seconds, for 2nd place. O’Connor finished in 3rd place.
“My horse has the mentality, heart and bravery, he has all the talent,” said Ryan. “He’s such a careful horse, always studying the fences and he has such a big stride and scope. To me he’s perfect.”
Bob Ellis, course designer for the 2012 London Olympic Games, built a serious track with several tough questions for the horses and riders. A tight turn to a double combination and a triple combination of oxer, vertical, oxer followed by an airy vertical proved to be the nemesis of many a pair.
Rounding out the double clears were Juan Manuel Gallego of Colombia, who finished in 4th place aboard Coulash van De Broy 7, and Germany’s Markus Beerbaum, who was 5th with Contina B. The balance of the jumpoff order fell victim to a single pole down, with six riders finishing on a four fault score. That included Friday’s winner Jessica Springsteen with Davendy S, who suffered a runout at the final fence in the jumpoff, but still finished
Live Oak International is the last chance for show jumping riders to qualify to compete at the Longines FEI World Cup Final, March 29-April 2, in Omaha, Neb. In the last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping North American League, riders not yet qualified for the World Cup Final will be pulling out all the stops to win Sunday afternoon’s $100,000 CSI-W3* Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.
See the complete results list at this link.