John Thompson and MSJ Gatsby Triumph at CDI-W Werribee

New Zealand's John Thompson and his 9-year-old horse MSJ Gatsby emerged victorious in the Pacific league World Cup qualifier at the PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars event held at the CDI-W Werribee from March 20 to 22, 2025.

This marked their second international appearance at the big tour level, where they claimed the Grand Prix with a score of 66.891% and the Kur to Music with 70.270%. Thompson expressed his excitement about the performance, noting the achievement of riding under lights for a crowd, mentioning the need for further development in the horse's technical abilities. They performed to music from 'The Bad Guys', which sparked positive feedback from attendees. The pair has been training remotely with British rider Gareth Hughes since late 2022, who has contributed to their progress with a focus on harmony and relaxation during performance. Thompson began competing with MSJ Gatsby at small tour level in February 2024, leading to this recent success at a CDI event. Gatsby, originally bred in Great Britain, was discovered by Thompson's wife and has been part of their training since he was a foal.

Looking ahead, Thompson aims for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, describing it as a long-standing dream. Additionally, the Werribee show provided a unique experience as he competed against his former horse Chemistry, who has since been sold and relocated. Other competitors included Jayden Brown and Rozzie Ryan, who also performed well in the event, strengthening the competitive atmosphere.