Katie Laurie has enjoyed success at Desert International Horse Park in California, finishing on the podium for the $63,000 CSI3* Welcome Speed 1.50m class with Django II as part of Desert Circuit 9.
The pair placed third as one of seven clears around a technical course designed by Julien Pradervand, finishing in 66.6 seconds.
Katie and Django then backed it up with a seventh-place finish in the headline $117,000 CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50m.
It was a successful event for Katie, as she also won the 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Stakes riding Roark OBF.
Riding for New Zealand
From the beginning of 2025, Katie has returned to riding under the New Zealand flag.
Katie, who is based in Canada, competed for New Zealand for many years and rode on the 2008 Beijing Olympic team, before making the change to compete under the Australian flag in 2019. Partnered with Django II, she represented Australia at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, and was also on the Olympic team for Tokyo in 2021 with Casebrooke Lomond.
Jos Verlooy and FTS Killossery Konfusion claim major classes
Both classes were won by Belgium’s Jos Verlooy and FTS Killossery Konfusion. After several winters spent competing on the East Coast, Jos Verlooy made the decision to begin showing instead on the West Coast at the Desert International Horse Park, and based on results alone, the Belgian rider is likely to be glad that he did.
“First of all, it’s better weather here than in Belgium!” said Verlooy in an interview for the event. “I heard many positive things about Thermal. I did Wellington a few years, but I think for my horses that I have now, it’s better to come over here.”
Verlooy continued, “[FTS Killossery Konfusion] is just a great horse. He’s so competitive. He always wants to do his best. He knows what he has to do is leave the rails up and just knows the game. I’m so happy I’m able to ride him.”
Competition is now back underway at Desert International Horse Park for Desert Circuit 10.
