John Thompson and MSJ Gatsby Find Their Funk at 2025 CDI-W Werribee

Shows

2025 CDI-W Werribee

New Zealand's John Thompson and his 9-year old MSJ Gatsby became the winners of the Pacific league World Cup qualifier held during the PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars (DJWTS) at the 2025 CDI-W Werribee on 20 - 22 March 2025.

Finding Their Funk

In their second international at big tour level, Thompson and the Oldenburg bred MSJ Gatsby (by Grey Flannel x Fidertanz) swept the board in Werribee, winning the Grand Prix with 66.891% and the Kur to Music with 70.270.

"To be able to ride at night under lights for a good crowd with music going and to pull off a Grand Prix with harmony is a huge achievement for any horse at any age," John told Eurodressage. "Of course, he is still very new to the level and we still have quite a lot of polishing to do, so now he needs time to develop strength in more of the technical areas. The feeling was very good, there was some tension with the indoor atmosphere but I had the feeling the whole ride that he was trying his best to focus and follow my aids, and got progressively more relaxed during the freestyle."

Thompson rode to music based on soundtracks from “The Bad Guys”.

"That might sound like some action movie but it's actually from a cartoon animated film about the story of a group of criminal animals that perform crazy heists, but upon being caught, attempt to reform themselves as model citizens… as you can tell I have quite sophisticated taste in movies. It had quite a funky beat and some fun, upbeat lyrics. We have had great feedback with a lot of people saying how much they loved and enjoyed his music - but of course, it'll never be for everyone!"

The pair has been training remotely with British team rider Gareth Hughes since late 2022.

"Gareth’s method is harmonious and soft, yet very technical. The horses love it. I feel it’s made a difference across my whole team, although it’s especially noticeable in horses like Gatsby, where it helps them feel secure and perform through relaxation rather than impulsion."

Ex-Pats Deliver

The Australian based Thompson debuted his wife Kate Farrell's Gatsby internationally in February 2024 at Bawley Point at small tour level and took him to the CDI Sydney in May. Their first ride down the big tour centerline at a CDI was again at Bawley Point one month ago, where they had some communication issues with a 55.761% as a results.

"I can’t help but feel so proud of this horse and all the progress he’s made," John explained. "He’s a horse that has been quite reactive to his environment in the past so we have taken our time before bringing him into big atmospheres, with lots of desensitising and confidence building exercises at home and feels like its really paid off with how much he’s trusting me in all different situations now.

Gatsby is bred in Great Britain by Emma Blundell at Mount St. John, where the Farrell family found him in the herd as a six-week old foal.

"They saw a group of foals and said all three of them felt there was something special about Gatsby," John reminisced. "He came out to Australia when they felt he was old enough to travel and grew up. I actually backed him myself and have been lucky enough to have the ride the whole time since which is pretty special… I can even remember the first time I put my foot in the stirrup! Now he’s just won his first CDI Grand Prix. How cool is that."

When asked what his goal is with Gatsby, John admits that the 2026 World Championships in Aachen are a life-long dream.

"Just to go to Aachen yet alone compete at show has been on my bucket list since a young rider, so I'd be lying If I didn't say I haven’t thought about the World championship in 2026, but as every horseman or horsewoman knows, it will all be up to how Gatsby is tracking towards selection time," he said. "This is certainly a huge step towards cantering down the centreline in Aachen, and I’m certainly not writing it off, but a lot needs to fall into place between now and then."

Competing Against a Familiar Face

For John the show in Werribee had a special touch as he had to compete against a more than familiar face, his own 2022 World Championship ride Chemisty.

After Herning the horse sold to Australian young rider Kate Kyros, who has been on a world tour with her horses ever since. In 2024 she took Intro K and Chemistry to Wellington and Europe. After the summer Chemistry flew back to Australia, while Intro K stayed in Europe where she is now competing in Spain and Portugal.

In Werribee the 13-year old KWPN bred Chemistry (by Connaisseur x Johnson) debuted under Australian Olympian Jayden Brown. The pair placed second in the Grand Prix with 66.087% and fifth in the Kur with 67.885%. Brown has been riding Chemistry for a few months and Werribee was their first international.

"I made a few mistakes with my riding, particularly in the freestyle, but I’m enjoying having a second GP horse in the stable again," Brown told Eurodressage. "He is a lot of fun to ride and train. We took a few horses to Werribee, one for the masterclass with Heike Kemmer which was fantastic, and my groom rode really well and was 3rd in the Aachen Challenge."

Brown hasn't many any long-term plans for the black stallion. "At the moment I am just keeping him in training and competition until Kate comes back to Australia," he said.

Jayden had Rozzie Ryan on his heels in the Grand Prix. She posted 66.00% for third place aboard Bronze Boy R (by Byalie Briar x Regardez Moi), while in the freestyle it was Caroline Wagner rising to second place on the 12-year old KWPN bred Ibicus (by Apache x Mondrian) with 69.125%.