WELLINGTON, Fla.--U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque won the $32,000, CSI2* 1.45m on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque (Photo by Sportfot)Cook will next ride on the U.S. team in next week's CSIO4* FEI Nations Cup.
In a nine horse jump-off over the course set by Anthony d’Ambrosio, Cook was clean in 34.90 seconds.
Coming off two-star grand prix success during WEF 5, Hilary McNerney on Corlando was second in 37.05 seconds.
Mexico’s Alberto Michan on Joint de Canabis van de Doornhoeve finished third in 37.44 seconds.
This week was Cook’s first trip to Wellington this season, and he used the two-star competition as preparation for the Wellington Nations Cup next week.
“The goal this week was to get her into the ring and make her feel like she’s in the game again,” said Cook of the mare that last competed at the end of January. “Our big goal this year is the World Games, so every single one of our decisions is geared toward putting us in the best place for Aachen.”
“I watched Hillary, and she was really fast, but the difference between Caracole and Hillary’s round is that we are a little tighter in the track," said Cook. "While it might not look like we’re going that fast, when you compare the two rounds, having that shorter track makes you save so much more time.”
“This is my only home Nations Cup this year, and Saturday nights here always have a great crowd, great atmosphere, and everyone gets behind it," said Cook. "I’m feeling in a really good place.”
In five star competition, reigning FEI Jumping European Champion and current World No. 6, Richie Vogel of Germany on a new rising star, Cardentos, won the $62,500 CSI5* Speed, finishing clean in 63.00
Vogel beat second placed Brazil’s Eduardo de Menezes on H5 Kontador VDM, clean in 64.41. by more than a second, and Rene Dittmer of Germany on Cody 139 was third in 65.84.
