Thermal, Calif. – The last pair to go were the best to go in Friday’s $32,000 Cavalor CSI5* 1.45m Classic, as Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z sped to the win in an increasingly fast jump-off.
A field of 21 entries took on the January 23 class – held during Desert Circuit 3 at Desert International Horse Park – before seven horses advanced to jump-off over the Colm Quinn and Alan Wade-designed course.
Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
The USA’s Karl Cook and Candy were the first to return for the short course in the Grand Prix Stadium, and they laid down a clear time of 36.23 seconds that looked like it would be tough to catch.
“I watched Karl go, and I thought that was the winner,” said Ramsay. “Then, everybody that kept going I was like, ‘Okay, well nobody can go faster than that.’ Then, it just got faster and faster!”
Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
By the time Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z entered the ring as the last to jump, Elisa Broz (USA) and Knass B had shaved more than two seconds off Cook’s time to take over the lead in 33.92 seconds. Having the advantage of seeing what others had done, Ramsay was able to take that speed one step further, stopping the clock in 33.38 seconds for the win.
“I thought it was a strong crew in the jump-off, so that’s pretty cool to be able to top that!” said Ramsay. “Going last [definitely helped today]. I’ve won from going early before. Sometimes you have your plan, and you stick to your plan. This time, it actually was a huge benefit to get to watch everybody and see that they were doing. They were doing seven [strides] from one to two and seven in the last line. I had walked eight and eight, so I think that was a huge benefit there.”
With Ramsay taking the win, Broz and Knass B, owned by Hidalgo LLC, held on to second place, and Canada’s Vanessa Mannix and her own Lehar finished in third on 36.05 seconds. Fourth place went to Callie Schott and Ironix, owned by Southern Arches LLC, and Cook and Candy rounded out the top five.
Ali Ramsay and Bonita VH Keizershof Z in their winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“[Bonita VH Keizershof Z] is everything to me,” said Ramsay of her winning mount. “Gosh, what do I say? She’s just been amazing at everything that she does. I got her when she was 6, and every time the jumps went up, she just stepped up to the next level and kept being successful. She always wants to win, and as long as I don’t get in the way, she’s ready to do it.”
Ramsay has now been partnered with the Zangersheide mare, owned by Ramsay Equestrian Inc., for nine years, and this year, Ramsay is targeting Bonita at the CSI3* weeks still to come at Desert Circuit.
“I kind of have jumped light this first half to then have a big second half [of Desert Circuit],” said Ramsay. “I’m just kind of aiming her at the classes that she can win!”
For full results from the $32,000 Cavalor CSI5* 1.45m Classic, click here.
With 10 weeks of top-caliber competition, Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park continues through March 15, 2026. To learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com.