Karl Cook and Caillou Claim Victory in the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Sacramento CSI3*-W Presented by Sky Partners

Rancho Murieta, Calif. – Oct. 5, 2019 – A sold out, standing room only crowd at Murieta Equestrian Center was treated to a truly incredible experience on Saturday night at the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Sacramento CSI3*-W presented by Sky Partners.

Karl Cook and Caillou Photo: JXB Photography
Karl Cook and Caillou
Photo: JXB Photography

Designer Marina Azevedo of Brazil built a course designed to test the ability of the horses and riders to tackle an indoor track of World Cup™ caliber. The 1.60m course consisted of 16 jumping efforts including one double and one triple combination.

Six of the 27 starters put in clear rounds and were rewarded with the thunderous roars of the crowd as well as a place in the jump off. Guy Thomas (USA) and Jonkheer Z were first to tackle the short course, and the audience erupted as they crossed the timers clean and fast.

Conor Swail and Koss van Heiste Photo: JXB Photography
Conor Swail and Koss van Heiste
Photo: JXB Photography

“I knew coming back first it was gonna be an uphill battle with Conor [Swail] and Karl [Cook].. coming after me,” said Thomas. “I tried to do as much as I could and put the pressure on.” Thomas’ efforts on “Johnny” would ultimately land him in third place, and he was thrilled with the 17-year-old bay Zangersheide stallion’s performance. “He doesn’t owe me a thing…he thinks he’s 6 or 7. He’s wild; he loves the sport.”

In short order Conor Swail (IRL) would replace Thomas on the leaderboard on Koss van Heiste. “I’m just really happy with my guy,” Swail said of the 9-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood gelding. “He’s not that experienced and he jumped great and I’ve had a great few weeks here…I’m just delighted and thankful to be here.”

Guy Thomas and Jonkheer Z Photo: JXB Photography
Guy Thomas and Jonkheer Z
Photo: JXB Photography

Swail held the lead for a bit, but Karl Cook (USA) was last to go aboard Caillou, a 12-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding owned by Signe Ostby. You could hear a pin drop in the GGT Footing Indoor Arena as Cook and Caillou navigated the short course, and then screams and cheers filled the ring as they crossed the timers half a second faster than Swail to earn the blue ribbon and the Longines watch.

Cook has brought along Caillou for the past five years, and he’s thrilled with the gelding’s progress. “He wasn’t the easiest… and he still has his things that he likes and things that you should definitely avoid,” said Cook. “But you know, it makes you really proud because you’re riding a horse that’s your horse. You didn’t buy someone else’s horse. It’s your horse. It makes me proud that he can consistently jump well.”

Karl Cook and Caillou Photo: JXB Photography
Karl Cook and Caillou
Photo: JXB Photography

Cook is interested in attending the 2020 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas, but only if it’s the right decision for Caillou. “It’s been a long road with Caillou, and this qualifier is big and it’s hard but it’s another level when you get to the finals. I would only go if it was right for him.”

RESULTS

$100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Sacramento CSI3*-W Presented by Sky Partners
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Caillou / Karl Cook / USA / 0 | 69.76 / 0 | 36.75
2. Koss van Heiste / Conor Swail / IRL / 0 | 73.30 / 0 | 37.35
3. Jonkheer Z / Guy Thomas / NZL / 0 | 73.45 / 0 | 38.95
4. Catinka / Vanessa Mannix / CAN / 0 | 69.52 / 0 | 40.50
5. Ircos IV / Everardo Hegewisch Diaz Infante MEX / 0 | 71.09 / 4 | 39.56
6. Don Vito / Cassio Rivetti / BRA / 0 | 70.98 / 10 | 49.75
7. Lafino / Katie Harris / USA / 1 | 74.29
8. Samson II / Zazou Hoffman / USA / 4 | 68.83
9. Foster / Alessandra Volpi / USA / 4 | 69.66
10. Apex / Emma Reichow / USA / 4 | 70.06
11. Chacco P / Will Simpson / USA / 4 | 70.26
12. Magic Mike / Robert Blanchette / IRL / 4 | 71.67

For full results, click here.

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