The first event of the Rolex Series, the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena came to an end this afternoon with the Rolex Grand Prix, the flagship event of the international competition.
In an electric atmosphere, under the gorgeous Roman sun, Karl Cook (USA) was the winner riding Caracole de la Roque thanks to a clear round and then an unbeatable second round. They beat Austrian rider Max Kühner with Elektric Blue P and Swedish rider Petronella Andersson with Odina van Klapscheut by 1.31 seconds. The audience was ecstatic during this coveted event as they wanted to see whether Karl Cook would be able to put in the finest performance, therefore adding his name to the Rolex Series in the presence of the show jumping elite including Daniel Deusser, Grégory Wathelet, Lorenzo de Luca and Ben Maher.
With fifty couples and fifteen nations represented, Kevin Staut, riding Visconti du Telman, was the first to master Uliano Vezzani's extraordinary course. Thirteen other riders managed to this fine performance, but with only thirteen possible combinations in the second round, Peder Fredericson and SvVroom de la Pomme Z, the slowest couple, were excluded. Among the qualifiers were Steve Guerdat, cheered on by the public, as well as Darragh Kenny, Max Kühner and Petronella Andersson, the only female rider for this second round.
When they all get back to the arena, Eugenio Garza Perez opens the show with Contago, but the couple is penalized with a fence down. Joseph Stockdale sets the pace with a clear round in 41.68 seconds. He is quickly overtaken by Max Kühner and Elektric Blue P, who crosses the finish line at 39.58 seconds. The crowd explodes when Petronella Andersson produces an amazingly smooth performance, but unfortunately her time does not beat the previous one. Victory seems inevitable for Max Kühner until Karl Cook, who will be the last rider to start; he produces a perfectly controlled clear round with his Caracole de La Roque. They beat the time by 1.31 seconds only and win the Rolex Grand Prix de Rome. They become the first to add their names to the Rolex Series.
Karl Cook & Caracole - (C) Photo Sportfot
In my head, I wanted to win. I watched Max Kühner and the other competitors carefully go through the course, and none of them made a big mistake. Caracole de la Roque is simply very fast: she’s my little rocket. I only started riding her in 2023 and I'm so happy I can rely on her that way. It's wonderful here: the sport is on point and the public is incredible.
Uliano is simply the best course designer. The course was technical and the second one rides like a jump-off.
For me, this Rolex Grand Prix was simply perfect, the course is fabulous and I was blessed to have a very wide choice of jumps, both in terms of the visual and the technique required to jump them.
I wasn't supposed to ride this mare, but Stephan Conter sort of pushed me to do it and I'm so happy he did. She has an exceptional mind and today she gave everything. I'd like to thank them, as well as all the people around me, around us, and all those who have worked so hard to make this wonderful event possible.
The Rolex Series will be held in France next, with the Jumping International de La Baule starting June 6th and concluding with the Rolex Grand Prix on June 9th at 2pm. The world's best riders and horses will defend their colors on grass in the famous Stade François André, in their bid to win the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix.
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