Ramsay and Stranger were the second horse-and-rider combination to enter the ring for the jump-off against the clock. The first rider in the ring, Irish Olympian Cian O'Connor with Concho, had posted a clear round in a time of 41.48 seconds. Stranger was asked for speed and he answered his rider's call. They crossed the finish timers in
39.27 seconds, two full seconds ahead. The pair would hold the lead 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."
The last rider on course, Devin Ryan, had the last opportunity to take the lead from Ramsay. With his mount, Eddie Blue, an eight-year-old KWPN gelding, he gave it a valiant try, but though the fences stayed up, the time was not there. Ryan and Eddie Blue posted a time of 40.36 to take second. O'Connor finished in third 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, erected 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.
