Text © World of Showjumping
Jos Verlooy (BEL) and the 12-year-old gelding FTS Killossery Konfusion (SIEC Livello x Cruising) continued their great form in Leipzig on Saturday, winning the CSI3* 1.50m Sparkassen Grand Prix.
A total of 16 pairs out of a starter field of 37 cleared the first round and joined the deciding jump-off, where Verlooy snatched the win from Gerrit Nieberg (GER) on Blues D'Aveline CH (Baloussini x Coriall). Crossing the finish line in 38.08 seconds, Verlooy and FTS Killossery Konfusion took their second win of the week, while Nieberg had to settle for the runner-up position. It was a good day for the hosts: Mario Stevens (GER) on Starissa (Stakkato Gold x unknown) took the third place, while Rene Dittmer (GER) on Burlington Riverland (Mylord Carthago x Dollar du Murier) placed fourth and Carsten-Otto Nagel (GER) on GK Curacao (Clarimo x Lerano 2) fifth.
"My horse has jumped brilliant here all week, with a win on Wednesday and a second place yesterday," Verlooy said afterwards. "I think I can be happy with how we have performed this week."
"I think I won it in my approach to the last fence," Verlooy said about his winning jump-off round. "My whole jump-off did not really go as planned, I felt I was a bit too slow in the beginning to beat Gerrit. But then I saw a long shot to the last fence, and I had a feeling I had to take that distance to win. It was a nice course today, maybe there were a few clears too many, but we have many good riders here. Of course, winning today gives me confidence in going forward in the World Cup Final, I had a very good week until now."