In Santa Anita, Karl Cook sets a date for 2028

And one more! Karl Cook won his seventh 5* Grand Prix, the third with his beloved Caracole de la Roque, at home in California. After the bitter end left by the Paris Olympic Games, where they came close to a potential individual medal – a technical error -, the two accomplices regained all their splendor at Santa Anita, not far from where the event will take place. the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. The American and his Selle Français supplanted Daniel Bluman and his exceptional Corbie VV, from the prolific Itôt du Château line, as well as Cian O'Connor and one of his new recruits, C-Iron, aka Iron Man.

Not far from Los Angeles, where the 2028 Olympic Games will take place, Karl Cook took the date, Saturday November 23. At the reins of his fabulous Selle Français Caracole de la Roque, the American, based not far from Santa Anita, where this CSI 5*-W was organized, fourth stage of the North American league of the Longines Jumping World Cup. obstacles, won a new 5* Grand Prix, the seventh of his career.

Last to set off in an eight-man jump-off, the American and his Selle Français by Zandor made everyone agree by crossing the finishing lines in 41''19. “There is a huge advantage to starting last. We see everyone passing, where the other riders are gaining time and what mistakes they are making. I looked at Daniel (Bluman, editor’s note)whose journey was rapid and harmonious. It was a nice ride. As for me, I have so much confidence in Caracole's speed and ability to turn short that it was just a matter of sticking to our plan and not trying to do too much to break a record of speed. I just had to ask her what I know she can do. When we go through something really intense, it can strengthen us or have the exact opposite effect. In our case, the Olympics made us stronger. I have total confidence in Caracole”deciphered Karl Cook, delighted to win at home. “It is a magnificent, historic setting which, in my opinion, deserves to be dedicated to show jumping. I had wanted this investment – ​​human, time and money – in California for so long.”

Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque form one of the most formidable duos on the circuit. © Shannon Brinkman / FEI

Since the end of September, Karl Cook had not competed on the international scene. Very attached to his mental freedom and to remaining open to the world, the American thrives on multiple activities, more or less linked to the equestrian sphere. Back in full possession of his means, the thirty-year-old, who came close to an individual medal at Versailles and won silver with his compatriots, was able to bounce back, after a last 5* Grand Prix concluded with an abandonment, at the end of September , a month after his disappointment in Paris.

The sense of speed of his twelve-year-old accomplice, granddaughter of… Kannan, also damsire of Foxy de la Roque and Ermitage Kalone, brilliant double clear rounds in the Riyadh Super Grand Prix on Friday, foiled the plans of Daniel Bluman, defeated with his very promising Corbie VV This daughter of Cornet Obolensky, born Windows vh Costersveld, has a string of top-flight performances at the age of nine: third at Mill Spring, seventh and fourth in Williamsburg, the beauty only missed out on her first attempt at 1.60m, at Rockwood, mid-August. It must be said that the gray has no shortage of… genetic assets! In addition to her illustrious sire, she comes above all from a well-known line, that of Javotte D, her fourth mother. Always up to date, the Itôt du Château strain continues to shine and this time brings joy to Evelyne van Vreckom, trainer but above all breeder of Corbie and her mother, Kerbie, who has grown to 1.50m .

A great future seems to await Corbie VV, accomplice of Daniel Bluman. © Shannon Brinkman / FEI

By signing the third best double zero of the event, Cian O'Connor launched his American tour perfectly. The Irishman presented for the first time at this level the ultra demonstrative C-Iron, a son of Charisma and grandson of Mr. Blue seen until this summer at the reins of the Dutchman Leopold van Asten and now renamed Iron Man. The gray achieved, in California, the best individual performance of his career at this level, after finishing seventh in Helsinki in 2023.

What a first in 5* for Cian O'Connor and C-Iron! © Shannon Brinkman / FEI

Vanessa Mannix and Kaitlin Campbell, thanks to the complicity of their respective Kingston and Castlefield*Cornelious, born Millfield Cornelious, also left the track without penalty, placing four and fifth. With one and two faults conceded in the jump-off, Shawn Casady and Ashlee Bond follow in the ranking alongside Cool Quarz and Donatello 141, while Harry Charles, exiled across the Atlantic for several weeks, is eighth after throwing in the towel during the final on the clock with Novio vd Donkhoeve, alias Sherlock, already winner in the 5* Grand Prix.

After four stages of the World Cup, Daniel Bluman is well ahead of his league and could well make the trip to Basel to defend his chances with his new star. He is nearly nineteen and twenty points ahead of Kristeen Vanderveen and Kent Farrington, who have thirty-five and thirty-four points on their clock.

Full results.
The complete provisional standings for the North American league.

The Santa Anita CSI 5*-W events can be (re)watched on Clipmyhorse.tv.

Featured photo: Karl Cook and his Caracole de la Roque on their way to another victory. © Shannon Brinkman / FEI