Sixteen years have passed since the U.S. show jumping team last topped the FEI Nations Cup of Rome CSIO5*. In that time, three members of this year’s team (Laura Kraut, Karl Cook and McLain Ward) have finished on the podium at the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome at the historic Piazza de Siena, and both Cook and Ward have claimed the top spot.
Just one rider from this year’s squad, which also included Lillie Keenan, was on the winning team back in 2009—that was Kraut and her Olympic gold medal-partner Cedric—but the result was the same. Both years the U.S. team finished on top with a score of 4, with France on their heels to finish second with a score of 8. Today marked the sixth time the U.S. has won this Nations Cup.
The U.S. team, led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, had the unenviable draw of first in the ring for the first round, with Kraut the pathfinder on Bisquetta. Both she and Cook (Caracole De La Roque) had a fence down, while Keenan (Kick On) and Ward (Imperial HBF) posted a clear effort to keep the team on a score of 4.
While three other countries—France, Germany and the Netherlands—had the same score at the end of Round 1, the U.S. team’s combined time was fastest, moving them to last in the order for the second round.
Though 10 teams competed in Round 1, only eight could advance to the second round, and both Argentina and the United Arab Emirates were eliminated after failing to complete a team.
In Round 2, it was just Kraut with a rail for the U.S. team, but France kept the pressure on—matching them with a pair of clears and one fence down for their first three riders. Though France’s anchor rider Kevin Staut had 12 faults with Visconti Du Telman, it didn’t ease the pressure on U.S. anchor Ward. If he could produce a clear round, the U.S. would win the Nations Cup outright. But if he had a rail, it would force a jump-off for the top spot.
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No stranger to sitting in that anchor spot, Ward, who topped yesterday’s Range Rover Speed with High Star Hero, pulled off another clear with Imperial HBF, a horse he just started competing in April. The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Glasgow VH Merelsnest—Carina VDL, Original VDL) was previously campaigned by British world championship rider Tim Gredley and was a consistent competitor in Nations Cup competition for Great Britain.
“We sent a strong team here, but three of the four of the riders have actually never ridden their horses in a five-star Nations Cup before,” said Ridland. “Karl was the only one of the four who has jumped a Nations Cup at this level. It was a really nice step up for the three of them, and you never know what’s going to happen. The two double clears from Lillie and McLain were needed, and we were ready for a jump-off, but it was McLain sealing the deal with the double clear that really made the day even more special. This is such an iconic show and venue, going all the way back to the 1960 Olympics, so winning a historic Nations Cup is something that jumps it up to a different level. There’s so much tradition, and you can feel it.”
Keenan also produced two clear rounds with the 11-year-old warmblood (Warrior—Sussex Caretino, Caretino Glory) with whom she finished 11th at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Basel earlier this year.
“This is the first time Kick On [“Ken”] has ever jumped a Nations Cup, and this was another big ask of him for his team debut to be a five-star Nations Cup, but just like every other time I’ve asked, he just continues to rise to these occasions,” said Keenan. “My plan was to give him a strong experience and not really get in his way, and I think we managed to do that. He’s one of those horses that you can tell just really, absolutely loves his job and gets it.
“It’s been some time since I’ve jumped a Nations Cup other than on Argan [De Beliard], and you always have to look to the future but also make the most of the present, and be confident in building a string of horses to build to the future while taking the time to learn from these opportunities,” added Keenan. “It felt like a real family and team win today riding alongside with my coach McLain, who also jumped a double clear in his first Nations Cup with Imperial. It’s something special when you find success, and the people supporting you are a part of that success in their way too.”
