Karl Cook & Candy Lead All-American Podium in the $116,050 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News USA on September 19, 2026

Traverse City, United States – September 18, 2026 – Karl Cook (USA) seemed to know his win Thursday of week three of the Tournament of Champions wouldn’t be his biggest of the week. Continuing the winning streak, the Olympic team silver medalist churned out another victory Friday, this time topping the $116,050 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI 5*-W, solidifying his place in Sunday’s $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI 5*-W Traverse City for the American Gold Cup presented by Frank & Eileen.

“I’m super happy with this one,” Cook said of the win aboard Candy, an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare (Coventry x King Louie). “This mare has been coming along nicely this year. We had some good results early in the year and then didn’t show much in the middle of the year. We started with 8 penalty-points in the Grand Prix two weeks ago, worked on some things, went double clear in the team class last week, and we’re continuing to get better. This is her one shot this week to jump and I think we are really coming to a good place together.”

Cook would say he’s still getting to know Candy, but his faith in her ability was evident in Friday’s performance. They were over two seconds faster than second-place finisher McLain Ward (USA) with First Lady.

**Hunter Holloway** (COL) & **Henry Jota Ariel**

Mark Bluman (COL) came closest to unseating Cook with Ubiluc, even beating his time but with a rail down. Hunter Holloway (USA) finished third with Henry Jota Ariel.

“We’ve gone fast before with her and she opens up to a really big stride,” Cook remarked of Candy’s agility. “She’s been getting quicker, thinking faster. In the first round we had the fastest time. We weren’t trying to have the fastest time, but she jumps better when you just keep going. It keeps her focused and keeps her looking forward and jumping more carefully.”

Over Alan Wade’s (IRL) short course, Cook knew he needed to be ready for the fastest possible approach, especially considering he was up against riders like Ward, Kent Farrington (USA), Shane Sweetnam (IRL), and other incredibly fast riders. He watched several go before it was his turn in the ring.

“There was one place where I thought to try to leave one [stride] out, but in the end it probably wasn’t possible and also it wasn’t needed,” he explained. “We could add that stride and still be quick in the turns and come out on top.”

Cook is feeling confident in his string with two wins in as many days, just a couple of days ahead of a major Grand Prix he’s won in the past. Giving him even more confidence was the depth of his string, allowing him to pick two different horses for the week’s two biggest occasions.

“We chose to use Candy today to help qualify us for Sunday and we’ll use Foxy de la Roque on Sunday,” he shared of the plan for the week. “I feel good because I didn’t have to jump Foxy today, and I could do the jump-off today just focusing on this class with Candy and not worrying about Sunday.”

Cook’s hopes are high that if he and Foxy can jump clear on Sunday, they will give it their best shot to take home another win and another American Gold Cup.

With just one day before the American Gold Cup, five-star athletes will take on the $62,500 American Gold Cup CSI 5*-W Winning Round on Saturday, and two-star athletes will contend the $62,500 Horseflight American Gold Cup CSI 2* Grand Prix.

Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App and HippoData for FEI results.