Karl Cook (USA) was looking to make history at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP). Fate almost stepped in the way of him etching his name as the very first on the Coachella Cup, a new Waterford trophy presented to the winner of the inaugural $1 Million CSI5* Coachella Cup Grand Prix, presented by Brown Advisory. But his strength and determination carried him through the week and onto the top of the podium in the United States’ richest FEI Grand Prix.

Cook and his long-time partner Kalinka Van’t Zorgvliet, owned by Signe Otsby, were one of 35 entries to tackle the $1 Million CSI5* Coachella Cup Grand Prix. With a course set by Alan Wade (IRL) the challenge was steep, the course was long, and the crowd was large. Cook, who suffered a hand injury Tuesday evening, went around the midway point, cranking out a clear round and guaranteeing a jump-off for the crowd.

Six other pairs joined him for the short course: Mark Bluman (COL) with Ubiluc, Mario Deslauriers (CAN) with Bardolina 2, Callie Schott (USA) with Garant, Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) with Faquitol-S, Roberto Teran (COL) with BP Wakita, and Kent Farrington (USA) with Landon. Cook’s double-clear effort and time of 44.99 seconds was enough to get the job done. Farrington had a rail down with a faster time, putting him in third, while Deslauriers was the only other double-clear, landing in second in his first trip to the desert. (Ed. note: Of the six Canadians in the competition, the only other pair making the top 10 was Erynn Ballard with Gakhir, who placed 8th and raked in a cool $25,000-plus)

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