ROME, Italy--The U.S. Jumping Team of Karl Cook on Caracole dela Roque, Lillie Keenan on Kick On, Laura Kraut on Bisquetta and McLain Ward on Imperial HBF won the Jumping Nations Cup of Rome CSIO5* at the Piazza di Siena in the heart of Italy’s capital city.
The U.S. Jumping Team (from left to right: McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, Lillie Keenan, Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland and Karl Cook) celebrate winning the Jumping Nations of Rome CSIO5* (©LC Ruas Fotografia)The team finished on a two-round total of four faults, notching the U.S.' first victory as a team at the event since 2009, and marking its sixth win at the venue.
France finished second with eight faults, and the home nation of Italy finishing third with 20 faults.
Amazingly, Italy and Germany finished tied not only on faults but also with the exactly the same aggregate time of its riders in the second round, but Italy was declared third by another tie deciding factor.
Keenan and Ward were two of the five that jumped two clean rounds.
As has happened often, it came down to Ward, last to go, as to whether the U.S. would be first, tied for the win, or second.
A clean round would win it, four faults would mean a tie and a jump-off and eight faults would leave the U.S. second.
Ward, riding an extremely talented but relatively new horse, came through yet again and clinched the title for the U.S.
“WE SENT a strong team here, but three of the four of the riders have actually never ridden their horses in a 5* Nations Cup before," said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. "Karl was the only one of the four who has jumped a Nations Cup at this level. It was a really nice step up for the three of them and you never know what’s going to happen. The two double clears from Lillie and McLain were needed, and we were ready for a jump-off, but it was McLain sealing the deal with the double clear that really made the day even more special. This is such an iconic show and venue, going all the way back to the 1960 Olympics, so winning a historic Nations Cup is something that jumps it up to a different level. There’s so much tradition and you can feel it.”
Kraut of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., on Bisquetta was the first in the ring and the first for the team.
An enthusiastic crowd filled the theatre-like seating with Uliano Vezzani of Italy setting the course for the class, with fences that highlighted the culture and history of the iconic location.
Kraut had the B fence of the triple combination down for four faults to start the competition.
Keenan of New York, N.Y., on Kick On went second for the team and was clean.
“This is the first time Kick On [Ken] has ever jumped a Nations Cup and this was another big ask of him for his team debut to be a 5* Nations Cup, but just like every other time I’ve asked, he just continues to rise to these occasions,” said Keenan. “My plan was to give him a strong experience and not really get in his way, and I think we managed to do that. He’s one of those horses that you can tell just really, absolutely loves his job and gets it.”
“It’s been some time since I’ve jumped a Nations Cup other than on Argan de Beliard, and you always have to look to the future, but also make the most of the present, and be confident in building a string of horses to build to the future, while taking the time to learn from these opportunities,”said Keenan. “It felt like a real family and team win today riding alongside with my coach McLain, who also jumped a double clear in his first Nations Cup with Imperial. It’s something special when you find success and the people supporting you are a part of that success in their way too.”
Cook of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., on Caracole de la Roque, the winners of last year’s Rolex Grand Prix in Rome, had a rail down at the A element of the final double combination for four faults.
Aboard the newest mount in his string, the impressive Imperial HBF, Ward of Brewster, N.Y., had a needed clean round to keep the team in top contention after round one.
The pair looked confident and comfortable in their first Nations Cup round together, securing the team’s berth as the last to return in the second and final round.
With just four faults and holding the top spot on the leaderboard, pressure mounted to keep the team’s grasp on the win.
Kraut had down the plank at fence nine to finish with four faults for the team’s first score of round two, then Keenan and Cook were clean.
With France’s final rider, Kevin Staut on Visconti du Telman, adding eight faults to their score, a clear from Ward would ultimately secure the team’s victory.
Ward and Imperial delivered an exceptional clear round inside the time to keep the U.S. on a total of just four faults, to mark the first team win of their budding partnership together.
The €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Rome CSIO5* will take place on Sunday, May 25, beginning with the first round at 6:30 a.m./ET.
