Thermal, CA – March 8, 2025 – The Desert Circuit 9 grand prix qualifier proved to be a strong indicator of the results of Saturday afternoon’s $117,000 CSI3* Marshall + Sterling Grand Prix, as the top two riders remained exactly the same. For the second day in a row, it was Belgium’s Jos Verlooy who took the top call aboard FTS Killossery Konfusion.
Finishing in second place were Ireland’s Conor Swail and Theo 160, and Swail also took home third place aboard My Lady Lavista.
“[FTS Killossery Konfusion] is always very competitive,” said Verlooy of the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by Euro Horse BVBA. “If he goes in the ring, he’s just a winner. He’s been so loyal to me. He wants so much for me, and he just keeps on doing it. I’m very grateful to be able to ride him.”
Verlooy and “Konfusion” were one of 33 entries to take on the track set on the Desert International Horse Park’s Grass Field, and they were one of only four pairs to navigate the Julien Pradervand-designed course without fault.
Bookending those four jump-off qualifiers was Swail, who was the first to return aboard My Lady Lavista. With the mare, Swail set the time to beat at 38.87 seconds, which would ultimately hold up for third place.
Canada’s Ali Ramsay and Conrado 12 returned next, and they would end up finishing in fourth place with a double clear effort and a time of 40.30 seconds.
With only Verlooy separating Swail from a shot at the leaderboard, Verlooy laid down a time of 37.94 seconds that would be tough to catch. As the final duo to return, Swail and Theo 160, owned by Mannon Farm, came close to catching Verlooy, but their time of 38.17 seconds would ultimately put them into second place.
“I must say my jump off went like I planned,” said Verlooy. “I saw everywhere my first distance and also to the last. To the last, I think I just turned, and I saw a really big distance. I just challenged [Konfusion] to take it, and it’s super it worked out!”
Of competing on the Grass Field, and at the Desert International Horse Park, Verlooy concluded, “It looks beautiful. A day like this, it’s just beautiful to jump on the ground.
“I love the people over here. They’re all so friendly. The people of the show, they try to do their best,” continued Verlooy. “They ask every day what to improve. They’re really interested, about the riders, how to make the show better. I must say I came here – I think last time 12 years ago – and I did the World Cup Qualifier one time here. I don’t recognize the place at all. I must say it is really growing to a higher level this place!”
To view complete results of the $117,000 CSI3* Marshall + Sterling Grand Prix, click here.
