Beautiful jump off round. I’m glad to see them really mesh so well. He’s learned how she wants to go.
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/video-karl-cook-keeps-the-heat-on-to-win-la-world-cup-class/
10 Likes
Nice ride – very soft!!
3 Likes
Wow! She is fast and smooth.
2 Likes
I thought so too. I remember reading an article by Eric Navet years ago in Practical Horseman in which he talked about his training and teaching philosophies.
2 Likes
Karl also recently said in his walking & talking that he’s been doing a lot of homework at home after the Olympics to try and make their rounds smoother and ride her better. He’s really putting in the work with this horse and it shows.
12 Likes
And I’ve just got to mention his form. He is as tight as a tick in the saddle. His legs do not move. That round has him looking as impressive as legends.
7 Likes
How did I never even hear of this event? It’s eight miles from my house. 
3 Likes
Right? I started seeing “results” on FB for the Santa Anita GP and was like “huh”? You mean at the race track? Naaaahh. Must be some other place in Europe.
2 Likes
Just FYI for those who are in California.
It looks like there is a $1 million Grand Prix next week on Saturday at the upcoming Coachella horse show.
5 Likes
Well, @Bristol_Bay, I did mention it in a PM awhile back. They definitely should have advertised it better locally. And provided tickets to local groups and barns.
It was a super fun show, even showing in the meters in ring 2. Being able to see those horses and riders in person was amazing.
They have the World Cup qualifier contract for three more years.
10 Likes
The Thermal event is free, if a bit of a drive if you aren’t in the desert.
Some advice:
apply for the pass mentioned in the article
get there early as the free seating fills up
consider bringing food as the food there isn’t cheap. The pizza will feed a few people.
don’t wash your car beforehand
5 Likes
I’m not anywhere in the vicinity, but I still appreciate all the good advice. 
1 Like
I think we can expect to see Karl in the winning circle more often. In addition to Kalinka, and Cara, he just bought Foxy de la Rogue.
1 Like
I 
Karl Cook!! I think he’s a great rider and the way he spoke about how Kalinka terrifies him but is great is inspirational to me lol
1 Like
Omg. How much did Foxy De La Roque cost. Bearing in mind that it was a family horse (riders wife family bred): it must have been monopoly money. Wouldn’t be surprised if in excess of 15M. (Athena onassis gave 12m years ago for going global and Foxy looks as much a freak of nature as caracole is)
3 Likes
Horses at the international level are very expensive. There’s nothing new about that. 
I don’t think that anyone is entitled to know how much anyone else’s possessions cost, whether it be a horse, house, farm, car, clothes, or whatever else.
The auction prices of horses that are public and can be marveled over sure, but private sales? Yes, the horses are expensive.
7 Likes
I didn’t ask to know the price but my point is that the bettendorfs would have had many opps to sell that horse but were keeping it for viktor to ride. The fact that the horse sold now means that it was monopoly money - and possibly set a new record.
Hyperinflation permeates every strand of any market - and it’s a major problem in us equestrianism. It’s just a pity that more can’t be done to find and support the ‘Laura krauts’ of tomorrow, a talented hard worker who isn’t a trust fund baby. The US is becoming unique in the predominance of the billionaire rider.
When compared to all the other major showjumping nations, this generation (and even the next generation) of riders have privileged but normal backgrounds (Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, GB, Ireland etc, etc). When Mclain Ward and Kent Farrington conclude their ridden careers, all the us will have are the trust fund babies - and that impacts all other levels as costs continue to soar.
9 Likes
Unrelated to the actual discussion, but…
Ouch. That’s a painful thought when you’re talking about people I remember as juniors. Lol.
11 Likes
I bet the Bettendorfs hearts sank when they saw Karl’s round with caracole in todays rolex grand prix in Geneva. Who leaves out a stride (whether on purpose or not) coming down to a 1.60m spread in the first round, especially when already had one down. At least, he had some sense and retired. I suppose as long as he sticks to easier 1.45s/1.50s, hopefully neither horse nor rider will get injured…
3 Likes
You’ve really saddled up the drama llama haven’t you? I doubt that anyone’s “hearts sank” because Cook had a bad round.
As for sticking to “the easier 1.45s/1.50s”, why would he need to do that to keep from getting injured? Did you watch the video at the beginning of this thread, or his showjumping rounds at the Paris Olympics or the Grand Prix of Rome etc…?
What a ridiculous post.
26 Likes
