Ali Ramsay and Bonita Shine in the $32,000 Frontier Farms CSI3* Welcome Speed

Thermal, California – A bold decision at the final fence proved decisive for Canadian rider Ali Ramsay, who claimed victory in the $32,000 Frontier Farms CSI3 Welcome Speed* on Wednesday, March 4, at the Desert International Horse Park. Riding her longtime partner Bonita VH Keizershof Z, Ramsay delivered the fastest clear round of the class, stopping the clock at 61.85 seconds.

The class marked the opening highlight of the CSI3* competition during Desert Circuit 9, presented by Marshall+Sterling, and featured 31 horse-and-rider combinations competing over a speed track designed to reward both precision and bold riding.

A Leaderboard in Constant Motion

For most of the competition, the lead belonged to Colombia’s Camilo Rueda and Indus van het Keysereyck, who produced a smooth clear round in 65.43 seconds. With only a handful of riders left to compete, their time remained the benchmark.

However, as the class reached its final stages, the leaderboard began to shift rapidly.

Dutch rider Mathijs van Asten, riding Vedet DK Z, owned by Van Shadow Stables LLC, was the first to edge ahead of Rueda. His precise and efficient round shaved just enough time off the lead, finishing in 65.31 seconds.

Yet the advantage was short-lived.

Conor Swail Raises the Bar

Four rounds later, Irish speed specialist Conor Swail entered the arena aboard Theo 160, owned by Mannon Farm. Known for his efficiency and bold approach in speed classes, Swail delivered a notably faster round, crossing the timers in 62.41 seconds and setting what appeared to be a very difficult time to beat.

But one rider still had other plans.

Ramsay’s Winning Decision

Ali Ramsay entered the ring immediately after Swail, initially planning to ride a conservative final line to the last fence.

“I pretty much rode my plan,” Ramsay explained after her round. “The only change I made was on the final line. I originally thought I might stay safe and do ten strides to the last jump.”

However, watching Swail’s blazing round convinced her to reconsider.

“When I saw Conor go, I knew he was fast. The way the line rode before the last fence gave me the opportunity, and I thought I should try to do one less stride.”

That split-second decision proved to be the key to victory. Taking the risk paid off as Ramsay and Bonita, the 15-year-old Zangersheide mare, flew over the final obstacle and surged through the finish in 61.85 seconds, securing the win.

Final Podium

Swail and Theo 160 ultimately finished in second place, while Mathijs van Asten and Vedet DK Z completed the podium in third.

Looking Ahead to the Grand Prix

Following their impressive performance in the Welcome Speed, Ramsay and Bonita will now set their sights on Saturday’s $117,000 Marshall+Sterling CSI3* Grand Prix, one of the headline events of Desert Circuit 9.

If their speed-class victory is any indication of form, the Canadian rider and her experienced mare could once again be among the combinations to watch as the week’s competition reaches its peak.

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