Karl Cook Makes a Clean Sweep at the National Sunshine Series

Thermal, CA (November 11, 2014): Karl Cook, who captured the $75,000 Sunshine Series Grand Prix win during National Sunshine Series Week I, was back in the spotlight Saturday evening to claim his $100,000 Sunshine Series World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix victory. A packed grandstand watched on as Cook rode with determination and patience, taking risky inside turns that would pay off in the end. 

Competition heated up early in Round 1 and the air was alive, becoming more vibrant with every clear round. Forty-four competitors challenged the course which proved to be trying for many with only eight moving on to the jump off. 

The jump-off heated up as Jack Towell and Silence cleared the course in 36.96 with six competitors still awaiting their turn. Cook, piloting Jonkheer Z, was next in the ring, besting Towell by a fraction of a second and clocking in with a 36.68. Kristen Coe, aboard Czardas 3D, was third to go clear, and their 37.35 finish secured a top-four finish after Darragh Kenny and Imothep chased Cook for the blue. The pair’s lively 36.84 second-place finish was noticed by all, including his competition.   

“I think my greatest concerns in the jump-off were Charlie Jayne and Darragh Kenny,” said Cook, after his win.  “A class like this brings nerves and you know they will set a bigger course. It always feels great to be competing with riders of this caliber, let alone win.” 
 
The course, designed by Alan Wade of Ireland, featured a sizeable triple bar and tight turn to the left by the in-gate which was a recipe for success according to Cook. 
 
“The course was really appropriate. Maybe the time was a little soft but in the end it was perfect.” Cook continued, “The footing was super. We could go fast and take quick turns and did not slide at all.”  
 
-Kathy Hobstetter for HITS, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(C) ESI Photography
Karl Cook and Jonkheer Z make a clean sweep at the $100,000 Sunshine Series Grand Prix. 
 

$100,000 Sunshine Series Grand Prix 

Place Horse Owner Rider Prize Rd. 1 Faults JO Faults JO Time
1 Jonkheer Z Signe Ostby Karl Cook 33000 0 0 36.68
2 Imothep Hyperion Stud, LLC Darragh Kenny 20000 0 0 36.84
3 Silence Jennifer Gates Jack Hardin Towell 15000 0 0 36.96
4 CZardas 30 Lovsta Stuteri Kirsten Coe 10000 0 0 37.35
5 Zamiro Alix Fargo Susan Artes 6000 0 0 37.27
6 Lyonell Trelawny Farm Cara Raether 4500 0 4 38.9
7 Valeska Pony Lane Farm Charlie Jayne 3000 0 8 38.73
8 Quilebo Du Tillard Enrique Gonzalez Enrique Gonzalez 2500 0 8 38.78
9 Camerino Wells Bridge Farm Paul Rohrbach 2000 1 - -
10 Farfelu de la Pomme Alex Verlooy Jos Verlooy 2000 4 - -
11 Regina Z Alex Verlooy Harrie Smolders 1000 4 - -
12 Cos I Can Iron Works Partners Reed Kessler 1000 4 - -

About HITS, Inc.

HITS, Inc. produces high quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.

While hosting the richest weekend in show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson, HITS also formed the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. This includes the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Mortgage Call, in Thermal, California, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida, and Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Wells Fargo, in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.


2015 Horse Show Dates

HITS Desert Circuit  |  Thermal, CA  |  January 13 - March 15, 2015
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit    |  Ocala, FL  |  January 13 - March 23, 2015
HITS Arizona Winter Circuit  |  Tucson, AZ  |  January 28 - March 8, 2015
HITS Culpeper Show Series  |  Culpeper, VA  |  April / July / August / September
HITS Saugerties Show Series  |  Saugerties, NY  |  May-June / July-August / September
HITS Championship  |  Saugerties, NY  |  September 2-6, 2015
HITS Marshall & Sterling Insurance National Finals  |  September 9-13, 2015
National Sunshine Series  |  October 28 - November 8, 2015