Karl Cook Gears Up For U.S. Nations Cup Appearance at Wellington International
U.S. Olympic team silver medal-winning duo Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque topped the $32,000 Buckeye Nutrition CSI2* 1.45m on Friday of Week 7 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The victory was the perfect prelude to their appearance on the U.S. Jumping Team for the CSIO4* FEI Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, during WEF 8.
Hosting 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 at Wellington International in Wellington, FL.
From a nine-horse jump-off over tracks designed by Anthony d’Ambrosio (USA), Cook and his 14-year-old Selle Français mare (Zandor Z x Kannan*GFE) owned by Eric Navet and Signe Ostby, stopped the clock at 34.90 seconds. Coming off two-star grand prix success during WEF 5, Hilary McNerney (USA) rode Corlando, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Corporal VDL x Laptop), to second in 37.05 seconds.
Mexico’s Alberto Michan rounded out the podium on Joint de Canabis van de Doornhoeve, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Canabis Z AKZ x VDL Cardento 933), finishing third in 37.44 seconds.
This week marks Cook’s first trip to Wellington this season to use 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.”
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