MEATH man Cian O’Connor made his journey across the Atlantic worthwhile, when he finished on the podium in Saturday’s $400,000 Longines FEI World Cup qualifier at the five-star World Cup show at Santa Anita Park, Los Angeles in the USA.
The venue was the site of the 1984 Olympic Games, but a newly constructed arena within the infield of the historic Santa Anita Park played host to the inaugural Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Los Angeles.
From a start list of 39, just eight were clear over Anderson Lima’s (MEX) course and proceeded to the jump-off, where five succeeded in keeping all the poles intact again second time out. It was a home win for American rider and Olympic silver medallist in Paris, Karl Cook on board Caracole de le Roque, who was last to go in the jump-off and stopped the clock in 41.19 seconds to claim the $132,000 top prize. Cook was more than 1.6 seconds ahead of runner-up Daniel Bluman (ISR) on nine-year-old Corbie V.V. in 42.87, who took home $80,000 for his trouble.
Cian O’Connor and the 11-year-old gelding Iron Man (Charisma Z x Mr Blue) slotted into third place in a time of 44.68 to take the remaining podium place and the $60,000 prize.
Fences fell all over the first-round course and this continued into the jump-off, but there was better luck in the second half, as the last four combinations kept the poles in place, with the lead changing hands almost every round.
Kaitlin Campbell (USA) had jumped clear with Castlefield Cornelius in 49.17, but was overtaken by Vanessa Mannix (CAN) on Kingston (46.31). Bluman then came into the arena and rode a very competitive round with Corbie, whom he has ridden since the mare’s six-year-old season.
“If I give my 70%, [Corbie] is probably going to jump a clear round,” said Bluman, who has had top 10 finishes in each of the first four legs of the North American League season. “That’s a great feeling to be able to have when you have this level of competition. I think the future is bright for her.”
O’Connor and his new mount Iron Man rode a careful clear, before Cook entered the arena as last to go.
Advantage
“There’s a huge advantage to going last. You get to see everyone go; you get to see how other riders shave time [and] what mistakes they make,” Cook shared. “When I watched Daniel, he was crisp, [and] he was smooth. It was a great round.
“But with Caracole, I have such confidence in her speed and her ability to turn that it was just about staying on our plan and not trying to get too far out over our skis [or trying] to break a land speed record,” he continued. “It was just about, ‘Do what I know she can do’.”
Cook had some great results in Europe over the summer, but a five-star World Cup win in his home state means a lot to him.
“This is a wonderful setting, a historical setting, [and] one that deserves, in my mind, show jumping,” he said. “I’ve wanted this investment – in time, people and money – in California for so long.”
Speaking to The Irish Field after the show, O’Connor said: “It was a fantastic event and one that we were thrilled to support - not least because it was organised by my long-term friend and student, Nikki Walker and her mum Belinda.”
World-class event
O’Connor added: “The event was world-class from start to finish, held in the infield of the famous Santa Anita racecourse - the same venue that held the LA Olympics in 1984. There was huge excitement about the show and plenty of support to ensure that the venue could be a part of hosting the equestrian disciplines for LA 2028.
“Iron Man jumped so well in the World Cup and I’m excited about the future with him. This week, I jump Bentley and Funky Fred at the World Cup show in Madrid, before heading back out to Thermal California to contest the $1m Major League final Grand Prix the following week.”
Bluman’s result has put him on 54 points, increasing his lead in the North American League standings. Bluman is followed by Kristen Vanderveen (USA) in second on 35 points and Kent Farrington (USA) in third on 34 points. The North American League resumes in Thermal, CA (USA) in February 2025.
The five-star World Cup show at Santa Anita Park kicked off last Wednesday and the first international class, the $35,000 1.45m Two-phase Special saw Co Down’s Conor Swail make a great start, when finishing on the podium in third with the 15-year-old gelding Vital Chance De La Roque in a large class of 69 starters.
Swail jumped double clear in a time of 33.97, 1.6 seconds behind the winner, Jessica Springsteen (USA) on Naomi van het Keizershof (32.37). O’Connor placed eighth in the class with Belvedere (36.18).
Sunday’s concluding international class at the show, the $40,000 1.50m two-round class, saw two Irish men in the top 10, with Max Wachman on Lexington in eighth and O’Connor on Belvedere in ninth, each incurring four faults in round two.
Another Irish man, James Chawke, had competed in some of the national classes at the show and concluded with a one-two from the 43 starters in the $50,000 1.45m National Grand Prix on Sunday.
He won the class on Daido Van’T Ruytershof Z in a jump-off time of 34.11 seconds and placed second with Nacara Van Berkenbroeck Z less than 0.4 seconds behind in 34.48, taking home $15,000 and $11,000 respectively.