Thermal, Calif. – Following roughly a year and a half off from an injury, Kalinka van’t Zorgvliet returned to competition this fall, and with Karl Cook in the irons, the mare has picked up right where she left off. On Saturday, December 6, Kalinka earned her second major win since returning to FEI competition in September, this time topping the $62,000 Hermès CSI2* Grand Prix at Desert Holiday 1.
Cook (USA) was one of 51 entries to take on the week’s CSI2* finale class at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif., and he and Kalinka become one of nine entries to advance to jump-off over the Alan Wade-designed short course.
Karl Cook and Kalinka van’t Zorgvliet. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
When Cook returned to the Grand Prix Stadium, the time to beat had been set at 34.69 seconds by Israel’s Daniel Bluman and his own Rebelline de Kwakenbeek.
“I saw Daniel go and Daniel’s always fast,” said Cook. “So, my plan was just go as fast as you can! It always helps to see someone go quickly before you, even if some of the numbers were different. I think he and I did near the same numbers, it’s just Kalinka’s a little bit faster in the air which is just the way that it is.”
Karl Cook, Charlotte Jacobs and Daniel Bluman topped the podium. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
That likely reduced time in the air shaved just enough off the clock to allow Cook to cross the timers two-tenths of a second faster than Bluman, as he finished in 34.42 seconds.
As the last to go, Charlotte Jacobs (USA) and Rincoola Milsean – winners earlier in the week – slid their way in between Cook and Bluman to take home second place with a time of 34.65 seconds. Bluman and Rebelline de Kwakenbeek held on to third place, and fourth place went to Canada’s Erynn Ballard on Chatadel PS.
Following Saturday’s win, Kalinka will now enjoy several weeks off from competition before the 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, owned by Signe Ostby, returns to DIHP for Desert Circuit.
Karl Cook in his winning victory gallop. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“She has so much fun doing it. She’s so nimble and athletic. She looks where she’s going and you can just feel that she enjoys it. It’s so much fun to ride,” said Cook. “We come back here in January, and we’ll probably do some CSI5* 1.50m and go from there.”
To view additional results from the $62,000 Hermès CSI2* Grand Prix, click here. While Sunday, December 7, marks the conclusion of Desert Holiday 1, the series continues through December 14, with Desert Holiday 2, featuring the $340,000 Go Rentals CSI5* Grand Prix and the $200,000 MLSJ CSI5* Team Competition, presented by Clip My Horse. To learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.