Katie Laurie may have just claimed another slice of New Zealand jumping history this morning, winning the CSI5* 1.6m Akita Drilling Grand Prix, presented by Rolex at the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ Tournament in Calgary, Canada.
The 30-strong start card was whittled to just two combinations – Katie with Django II and Sameh El Dahan (EGY) aboard WKD Balou Breeze. The Kiwis won with a double clear in 46.28 seconds.
“I got a bit teary after going in clear in the first round,” said a very emotional Katie, who previously has represented Australia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning. “It feels so good.”
While other New Zealand combinations have made the podium at Grand Prix level, this is the first time a Kiwi has won at Grand Prix at CSI5* level.
She opted to give Django the winter off to work on his fitness and didn’t rush him back early in the season. “I have always had so much faith in him,” she said.
In the jump-off this morning, Katie said they had jumped fences one and two in a nice pace but felt they were a little slow to three and four. “I thought we’d just go for the clear, so we jumped conservatively and clean. He was just so good. He is an awesome horse.”
Katie says Django’s style may not be the most perfect way of jumping, but his goal is simple – don’t touch the poles.
“I never thought it would ever happen,” said Katie of the CSI5* win. “It is amazing.”
The combination has another CSI5* at Spruce Meadows next weekend. “He is fit and feeling great. We are ready for a big summer ahead.”
Earlier in the show Katie and ZF Chacco Rio placed seventh in the CSI5* 1.5m class. They were one of seven combinations who came through to the jump-off, which was won by Mark Bluman (COL) aboard S&L Haquinsa, ahead of Conor Swail (IRL) aboard Theo 160.
Source: ESNZ press release
