Tag Archives: Andrew Ramsay

Andrew Ramsay and California 62 Win Welcome Speed 1.45m CSI3* at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Photo: Scott Stewart and Castellan.

Lexington, Ky. – May 8 – The first day of competition at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show kicked off on Wednesday, with competition in the Rolex Stadium highlighted by the $35,000 Welcome Speed 1.45m CSI3*. At the end of a class filled with top FEI competitors from around the world, it was Andrew Ramsay and California 62, owned by the California Group, who would walk away with the win.

Scott Stewart and Castellan Capture Green Hunter Incentive Stake

Wednesday morning opened the first day of hunter/jumper competition for two weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show CSI3* series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Hunter competition was highlighted in the Stonelea Ring with the Green Hunter Incentive Stake with the option to compete at the 3’6″ or 3’9″ height as riders look to gain points towards the year-end championships in August. Scott Stewart rode to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 89 aboard Stephanie Danhakl’s Castellan to capture the win.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Ramsay and Cocq a Doodle Take First $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix of 2018

Andrew Ramsay and Cocq a Doodle (Photo courtesy of Erin Gilmore Photography)

Wellington, Florida (January 16, 2018) – The first of 13 $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix classes of the 2018 season was captured by Andrew Ramsay and the spectacular mare Cocq a Doodle, who put in a quick and efficient double clear effort to finish with a jump off time of 37.921 seconds over a course designed by Christopher Jones. Held on the springy, all-natural turf footing at Polo West, just off South Shore Boulevard, Friday’s Grand Prix and jumper classes of all levels wrapped up the fourth week of competition hosted by The Ridge at Wellington. Chasing Ramsay and Cocq a Doodle’s time was a field of 22 horse and rider combinations, with Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Jessica Mendoza’s Horst Van de Mispeleare securing second with a jump of time of 38.021. Wednesday’s 1.30m Rising Star Classic winners, Sam Walker and Acardi Du Houssoit Z, gave the leading pair a run for their money with a double clear and a jump off time of 37.150, but a rail at the final fence cost them a placing.

The ten-year-old KWPN bay mare Cocq a Doodle (Tolan R x Niagara) has been a successful Grand Prix horse for Ramsay, who rides and trains out of his own Shalanno Farms. Fresh off an October 2017 victory in the $130,000 Split Rock Farm CSI3* Grand Prix, Ramsay, Cocq a Doodle, and his other rides spent Wednesday and Friday of this past week sharpening up over the spacious warm-up and beautiful jumper rings of the Turf Tour. Ramsay called his rides at Polo West and his victory in the Grand Prix “a great start to 2018.”

Friday Night Lights Showcases Child Adult Jumpers at Polo West

With the brilliant stadium lights, beautiful jumps, and an eager audience of diners at the Polo Bar & Grill, Friday’s Child Adult Jumper class had the feel of a Grand Prix and proved to be an exciting event for both riders and spectators alike. Despite a torrential downpour just a few hours before the 6pm start, Polo West’s sand arena held its own, providing exceptional footing for the 1.10m course. Riders had the option of a M&S/NAL/WIHS Qualifying Classic, or a speed round over two separate courses. Kate Taylor and the 11-year-old Chacco Blue topped the Classic.

“The footing was fantastic despite the conditions and this was such a fun class,” said Taylor. “I loved showing under the lights, and the energy was incredibly fun. Everyone was having a great time and I’m already excited to come next week!”

George D’Ambrosio, who co-founded The Ridge and the Palm Beach Series with US Olympian Nona Garson, presented Taylor with her ribbon, and stated that the idea behind both the Turf Tour and all of their shows was to create an ideal atmosphere and experience for both horse and rider. “We want to give riders the option of showing on the grass or under the lights, in new venues and on very good footing,” said D’Ambrosio. “This class was just one way to give our child and adult amateur riders a way to experience what it’s like to ride at night in a stadium, and make them feel like they’re at the Olympics. We strive to create a learning experience for horses and riders in all of our events, from the Turf Tour, to our USEF Equitation Tuesdays, to our USHJA National, International, and Pony Hunter Derbies.”

For a full schedule of events hosted by The Ridge at Wellington, visit www.TheRidgeFarm.com.

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Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
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Andrew Ramsay and Cocq A Doodle Win $86k Tryon Resort Grand Prix CSI 2*

Andrew Ramsay and Cocq A Doodle. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 15, 2017 – Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Cocq A Doddle earned the victory in the $86,000 Tryon Resort Grand Prix CSI 2*, stopping the timers in an impressive 35.819 seconds at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), in the final international grand prix of the 2017 Tryon Summer Series. Following closely behind was Marilyn Little (USA) and Clearwater with a time of 36.343 seconds to earn second place honors, while Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and her trusted mount, Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, took home the third place position with a time of 36.565 seconds.

The anticipated highlight class of the week at TIEC boasted 54 total entries, and saw sixteen of those return to test their abilities around the jump-off track set by Martin Otto (GER), who was the course designer. Ramsay had two horses qualified for the jump-off, the other being California 62, who finished in the fifth place position.

Ramsay had the advantage of riding the jump-off course twice, although both of his mounts are quite different. Ramsay elaborated, saying, “It was nice to have two horses to jump-off and have an idea of the track and how it rides, although they are two very different horses. I went third in the jump off with California 62, and she is naturally competitive and fast. We just wanted a solid round. I was thrilled with her. Then Cocq A Doodle came in and I think this jump off suited her a little more.”

Ramsay added that Cocq A Doodle, better known in the barn as ‘Doodles’, is was an appropriate name for the mare, saying, “She came with the name and it really fits her personality. She’s a fun mare and she is full of opinions. When things work out, it is almost like we are ‘doodling’ about the course. The more I stay out of her way, the better she jumps. It is an amazing feeling.”

Cocq A Doodle, a 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare (Tolan R x Niagara) owned by The Doodle Group, and Ramsay have been partnered for the past year and a half, securing multiple top placings across the country before landing the big win at TIEC.

“We have spent the past year just developing her and moving her up and she has been fantastic,” he commented. “Doodle is a very explosive horse and she has a lot of power. After the first three fences in the jump-off tonight, I kind of got a shot of adrenaline like ‘I’m on it! I’m on it!’ and it keeps you going,” Ramsey added with a laugh.

“Heading to the last fence she just picked up a full gallop and luckily she backed herself up and it worked out for us tonight,” he concluded.

Ramsay is excited about the future with the talented mare, with plans to stay in the FEI classes for the rest of the summer, commenting quickly, “We will see where she decides to take us!”

The week marked Ramsay’s final time competing at TIEC this summer and he elaborated on the convenience of the facility as a whole and his happiness with the victory.

“This is my first few weeks here and it is a great facility. The layout is very efficient. You aren’t trekking all over the place to get to the rings. We have 33 horses here, so it works well being able to get to all of the rings nicely.”

Ramsay concluded, saying, “I was told I could not leave TIEC without a win! The class tonight was really a blast. The jump-off was entertaining when the lead kept changing hands, and I am glad I could have the result I did with Doodles. I am thrilled. Hopefully there will be more to come and we will keep at it.”

Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) earned the FEI Leading Lady Jumper Rider Award presented by Meg Atkinston of Town & Country Realtors in recognition of her performances in international competition throughout the week.

To learn more about Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), please visit www.tryon.com.

Andrew Ramsay Claims $130k Empire State Grand Prix CSI3* at Old Salem Farm

Andrew Ramsay. Photo by The Book.

Andrew Ramsay (USA) led the victory gallop in the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix CSI3*, presented by The Kincade Group, riding Cocq a Doodle to conclude the 2017 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows on Sunday, May 21, at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.

“It has been awhile, probably two or three years, since I’ve won a grand prix. It is a great feeling to do it again. It has been fantastic to have Doodle here on the field and be good enough today to get it done. It’s been a very good weekend.” ~Andrew Ramsay

After a second-place finish in the feature grand prix during the first week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, Ramsay and Cocq a Doodle, owned by The Doodle Group, moved up for a victory in the $130,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, in a three-horse jump-off. The only double-clear effort of the day belonged to Ramsay, who stopped the clock at 45.50 seconds over a jump-off track built by 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Final course designer Alan Wade (IRL).

Madison Goetzmann Wins $15,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

Earlier in the day on the Grand Prix Field, Madison Goetzmann, 17, of Skeanatles, NY, won the $15,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, presented by Beval Saddlery, riding her own Prestigious. They bested the eight horses that advanced to the jump-off with a clear round over the short course in 31.172 seconds.

“He’s an incredible horse. He has amazing scope, but we have been taking our time. Each week, things just keep getting better and better, and we’ve developed a better partnership.” ~ Madison Goetzmann

Charlise Casas and Rembrandt Blue, owned by Always Faithful Equine, LLC, were second with a time of 31.537 seconds, and Katie Tyler took third riding her won Shet du Thot in 32.842 seconds.

For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its year-long competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net or call 914-669-5610.

By Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jumpmediallc.com

Andrew Ramsay and Winn Winn Conquer $50k Bluegrass Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Classic

Andrew Ramsay and Winn Winn.

Smith and Chartier Conclude Kentucky Spring Classic with Wins in Children’s Hunter Division

Lexington, Ky. – May 22, 2016 – The Kentucky Spring Classic, the second week of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series, concluded on Sunday with Andrew Ramsay taking home the blue ribbon in the finale event, the $50,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington, aboard a mount aptly named Winn Winn.

Ramsay has consistently finished with top placings on all of his mounts throughout the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series and placed second in the Kentucky Spring Horse Show’s $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, behind Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Eternal, with Cocq A Doodle.

“It’s very exciting,” said Ramsay. “I feel great. It’s really a wonderful way to finish. It’s nice, actually – all of the horses all had results. Throughout the two weeks they all had good placings, top three placings, so it’s really nice. Winn Winn was very consistent this week. She was fourth the first day in the speed class, and then with this placement today it’s a wonderful way to finish up!”

Ramsay, of Shalanno Farms, piloted the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, owned by the The Winn Winn Group, past a starting field of 36 and a jump-off field of nine to claim the top spot on the leaderboard. They tackled both Olaf Petersen-designed courses effortlessly and produced a double-clear finish in a jump-off time of 38.078 seconds.

“I’ve had Winn Winn for just under two years now,” said Ramsay. “She’s an eager competitor. In the first round she was rideable; we were able to get the lines we wanted and kind of stayed on plan. In the jump-off, I just tried to stay out of her way and keep her a little bit in check because she gets quite eager to get out there and play, but I was very pleased with the rounds. She gave some great efforts and everything just came up nice. It was a good jump-off for her.”

Ramsay also gave credit to his trainer, legendary horseman George Morris, for his win on Sunday.

“George gives me a lot of tips,” said Ramsay. “I get very good advice from him. He’s an amazing coach to have, and it’s a great opportunity to have his help here.

“The big thing in our plan was just, in the jump-off, that we start off with our pace, keep our eyes up and get to the next fence,” continued Ramsay. “It was just all about trying to get home and keep all the poles up and she did a good job of that! I can’t say I had too much to do with it. She did a good job.”

Following closely behind Ramsay, just 4/10ths of a second slower, was Ramiro Quintana and Whitney, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, who tripped the timers in 38.459 seconds. The pair went on to claim second place honors, while Andrew Bourns and his own Hyakari rounded out the top three of the class in 40.498 seconds.

Ramsay was thrilled to not only wrap up a stellar two weeks of showing at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series, but also his first time ever competing at the Kentucky Horse Park with a win.

“It’s my first time showing here at the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Ramsay. “I came in 2010, when WEG was here, and that was my first time here to see a competition. When we made the summer schedule and decided to stay in the U.S. for the summer, it was either Old Salem or Kentucky and I wanted to come back here and we’ve had a great time.

“The facility is very unique,” continued Ramsay. “Unique is the best way to describe it. It’s huge and there are just so many wonderful places to ride. There are big facilities out there, but you can’t ride everywhere. Here I feel as though the oddity is where you can’t ride. Coming from California, which is very dry and you can’t really ride on grass like you have here, or Europe, which is very small, it’s such a unique experience where you can go and ride out on the hills in the grass. It’s fantastic. I don’t know if I enjoyed showing more or if I enjoyed riding out in the fields more, but it was really a great two weeks.”

Ramsay will remain in Kentucky through next week to compete at the Split Rock Jumping Tour and will head to Spruce Meadows in Calgary next.

“A big thank you to all of those who help out,” said Ramsay. “It’s a big team that makes it happen, and it’s wonderful to finish up these two weeks in this way.”

Earlier in the day, the Under 25 Grand Prix was held in the Rolex Stadium and the first place prize went to Tina Yates and High Point Farm’s Biallon. Yates had three different mounts entered in the class and qualified both Biallon and Zelote VDL for the jump-off before any other horse and rider combinations, out of the 20 starters, had also advanced to the jump-off.

“The first round I went second on Zelote and really my strategy was to go and have a nice round and just ride exactly what I walked,” said Yates. “On my second one, I had the exact same plan. I knew the time allowed was a bit tight so I had to keep going around the turns, but I think it definitely presented some challenges. It just required a little bit of smart riding and riding a smooth track.

“Zelote VDL I’ve had for about four years,” continued Yates. “I showed him a bit at WEF and he was double clear in the 5* there. I just thought here I’d build him up a bit before we go to Spruce Meadows for four weeks. He’s spunky – one of the spunkiest ones I’ve ever owned but he’s great, he’s like my child, so I have a great partnership with him. Biallon is one that I’ve had since she was 6 or 7. I’ve brought her up through the ranks and right now she’s just staying at this level. Maybe we will try to move up, but again I’m just trying to get them confident before we go to Spruce.”

Yates was almost going to be only competing against herself in the second round until Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade and his own Natif Des Roches added themselves to the good list with a faultless effort.

The courses in Sunday’s competition, once again designed by Olaf Petersen, proved to be technical and tricky with only two riders moving on to the jump-off. Yates returned to the ring first in the second round aboard Zelote VDL, but had an unfortunate fall after a refusal. However, even after her unexpected dismount, Yates was up next in the jump-off again with Biallon.

Yates proved her resilience and completed the jump-off course with Biallon, finishing on a 4-fault effort of 44.913 seconds. Andrade was the only contender to challenge Yates’ top spot, but pulled two rails resulting in an 8-fault finish in 39.334 seconds, garnering them second place.

“When I came back on Biallon after my fall with Zelote, I wasn’t so much nervous as I was a bit upset,” said Yates. “I had a really good start, and I just had a little bit of a bad angle to the jump. I just needed to sit behind him and squeeze, and unfortunately it happens sometimes, but you just have to brush it off your shoulder and shake yourself off and go get on the next one.

“Biallon’s not super-fast so again I just wanted to try to give her a really confident, smooth ride,” continued Yates. “There were only three clears so of course I would like to win but it was more important that I got her confident before Spruce.”

The U25 Grand Prix series continues to be a popular class among young riders who have aspirations to be more competitive in the higher-level international competitions in the future. It’s chance for young riders to showcase their talent in the show jumping sport and give them their first experience to learn how to compete at the 1.45m level under FEI regulations.

“I’ve been competing in the U25 series since I’ve been in Florida, and I was fifth overall in the U25 series at WEF, and I did it on another horse, but it’s a great series,” said Yates. “It’s great for building up the horses, especially because I’m no longer an amateur, but I’m under 25, and it enables me to go in these classes and develop those younger up-and-coming horses instead of jumping in the 1.40m/1.45m divisions. It’s really great and I think it helps build the horses a lot.”

Similar to Ramsay, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show series is also Yates’ first time competing at the world-class Kentucky Horse Park facility.

“I was here once in 2004 and it was a lot different so this is my first time and I have to say it’s been fantastic,” said Yates. “I love the grounds. It’s amazing for the horses to go out on the grass and kind of clear their head and the footing is absolutely fantastic – probably one of the best in the world. I think the horses jump great and feel great and it’s a great ring.”

Perseverance Pays Off for Catherine Chartier in NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic

The Kentucky Spring Classic concluded with picture perfect weather for Children’s Hunter riders in the Stonelea Ring on Sunday. Alexandra Smith and Eclypse took home the championship in the Children’s 14 and Under Hunter division as well as the overall grand champion children’s hunter prize sponsored by Visse Wedell at Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Smith was thrilled with her rounds on Sunday aboard Eclypse, an 8-year-old Hanoverian mare.

“She was absolutely perfect,” Smith said. The addition of a brush fence used in Saturday’s $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby did not faze the pair at all. “She didn’t look at the brush fence at all, she made it easy,” Smith explained.

The pair swept the over fences classes, also winning an over fences class on Saturday, on their way to the grand champion award. Although Smith and Eclypse are a relatively new partnership, they already show a great deal of promise.

“I haven’t been riding her long, I’ve only shown her three times,” Smith said. “She’s a little bit of a princess, but she’s sweet. She’s nice to ride and she’s so fun.”

Smith was enthusiastic about her weekend at the Kentucky Spring Classic.

“We come here every year,” Smith said. “It’s so pretty and I like all of the rings, they’re really nice. I’ve been coming here forever and I love it.”

Wedell has been a great supporter of the Kentucky Horse Shows, sponsoring grand championship prizes in multiple divisions.

“I think that it’s fantastic to award the best of the best in each division,” said Wedell, who recently purchased a property nearby. “I love this facility so much. It’s such a pleasure to be here. I’ve officially decided to base myself here for the season so I’ve invested myself personally in the area because I love it here so much.”

Catherine Chartier and Notorious
Catherine Chartier and Notorious

Twelve-year-old Catherine Chartier and Notorious, an 18-year-old Warmblood gelding, captured the win in the NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic with an inauspicious beginning in the earlier first round of the Children’s 14 and Under Hunter over fences class. Chartier fell off after a refusal, but persevered to come back and score an 80 in the first round and an 81 in the second round for a final score of 161. Second place went to Vyla Carter and Skyfall with a score of 160.

“I fell off in my first round so I really didn’t expect to win after having such a rough weekend,” Chartier said.

Chartier showed impressive poise and maturity in analyzing what had gone wrong in the first round and coming back strong.

“I had to tell myself not to get mad at him,” Chartier said. “I had to remind myself that he is a horse and he is just as imperfect as I am – he’s not a machine. We’re going to have rough rounds like this and what’s one rough round out of hundreds of great rides.”

Chartier was happy with their two classic rounds.

“In the first classic round he was good,” Chartier said. “We went in again for the final round, and I was afraid after we were a little bit tight after one of the lines that the score wouldn’t be that great, but it ended up being really great in the end.”

Notorious is a seasoned partner for 12-year-old Chartier.

“He’s 18,” Chartier said. “He’s been doing this for a long time. His favorite treats are Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies. He’s just a really special and really great horse.”

With the conclusion of the Kentucky Spring Classic and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series, Kentucky Horse Shows LLC will now be gearing up for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows series with the Kentucky Summer Horse Show running July 27-31 and the Kentucky Summer Classic running August 2-7.

For more information on the Kentucky Horse Shows and to find a Kentucky Summer Horse Shows series prize list, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
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