American Karl Cook seemed to know his win Thursday of week three of the Tournament of Champions wouldn’t be his biggest of the week.
Continuing the winning streak, the Olympic team silver medalist churned out another victory Friday, this time topping the $116,050 American Gold Cup CSI5* Qualifier, solidifying his place in Sunday’s $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup CSI5*-W Traverse City for the American Gold Cup.
“I’m super happy with this one,” Cook said of the win aboard Candy, an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Coventry x King Louie). “This mare has been coming along nicely this year. We had some good results early in the year and then didn’t show much in the middle of the year. We started with 8 faults in the Grand Prix two weeks ago, worked on some things, went double clear in the team class last week, and we’re continuing to get better. This is her one shot this week to jump and I think we are really coming to a good place together.”
Cook would say he’s still getting to know Candy, but his faith in her ability was evident in Friday’s performance. They were over two seconds faster than second-place finisher McLain Ward (USA) with First Lady. Mark Bluman (COL) came closest to unseating Cook with Ubiluc, even beating his time but with a rail down. Hunter Holloway (USA) finished third with Henry Jota Ariel.
“We’ve gone fast before with her and she opens up to a really big stride,” Cook remarked of Candy’s agility. “She’s been getting quicker, thinking faster. In the first round we had the fastest time. We weren’t trying to have the fastest time, but she jumps better when you just keep going. It keeps her focused and keeps her looking forward and jumping more carefully.”
Iwasaki, Small Love claim final Hunter Derby of season
Augusta Iwasaki finished her first professional season in Traverse City on a high note, winning the final National Hunter Derby of the season, the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Her win came aboard Small Love, a horse that’s very special to Iwasaki and her family.
“She was so great,” Iwasaki noted of “Honey.” “She had last week off and she was jumping especially well today. I’ve been riding her for over five years now. She’s the best horse ever and we love her so much. She goes out there and she wants to win. I love that about her.”
Now 13 years old, Honey helped Iwasaki ride to scores of 92 and 90, taking the win by a total of nine points. The Hanoverian mare earned the title of Platinum Performance Horse of the Week for her win. Sabrina Miller and Celebration finished second, while Adelle Alletto claimed third aboard Dream Worker.
Iwasaki holds many major titles from past classes in Traverse City, but this season felt special as she approached it as a trainer, coaching other students to top results alongside her parents and the team at Makoto Farm.
Elsewhere in the hunter rings, Jef Lauwers and Blonde Ambition earned championship honors in the GGT-Footing 3′ Green Hunter division for owner Jamie L. Jarvis, winning every over-fences class and the under saddle.
McReynolds makes mark in inaugural Adult Equitation Challenge
In the inaugural $20,000 3′ Adult Equitation Challenge on Friday, Grace McReynolds came out victorious, earning a score of 89 and a flawless flat phase for the top position.
“I’m super excited to be here,” McReynolds said, reflecting on her win in the inaugural class. “I am an adult now so I work a lot. I just came in for this class and it was super fun. I’m so thankful for Makoto Farm giving me this horse to ride.”
McReynolds represents a large number of adult riders who balance busy careers with riding, and she does so quite gracefully. As a nurse in Dallas, she flew in Thursday night to compete in the class, and she made it count.