Karl Cook Speeds to The Win in the $31,000 ShowBiz Magazine Welcome Class at Del Mar
September 29, 2011 – Del Mar, California – Having an opportunity to show in the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds covered arena is always a thrill. Couple that with thirty four entries on a cool California Thursday night, and you have the making for fast competition over a course designed by Olaf Peterson, Jr.
As riders walked the course, talking with each other, kicking dirt and digging into the footing to test it for firmness and grip, it became evident there was nothing holding them back from making fast turns and racing for long distances, the footing was good!
Karl Cook, riding Signe Ostby's Uno de Laubry, was first in the ring and lead the class all the way through, no one could catch his quick, efficient time of 58.63 seconds. Strategy was the name of the game as riders made choices about what options to take and which ones not to. Karl took all of the options, kept the pace up the entire way and could not be caught.
Eleventh horse in the ring, Billy Bianca ridden by Richard Spooner, made the dash to catch Karl but was barely .17 seconds behind him in 58.80 seconds. Riding as he always does, for the win, Richard dug in and made the same turns with the same determination but just could not catch the younger rider. Helen McNaught was a close third at 59.31 seconds, riding Lariccello for owner Alison Heafey.
"Today was just what I wanted and needed to see," said Olaf Peterson, Jr. after the class. "But I must say I am pleasantly surprised by the level of riders we have here. This course was set to let them think about the tasks and see how their horses would ride and how the footing was. Now I know I don't have to be careful for the turns and speed it will take to win Saturday night's class. I can set for this good group of riders and horses and will certainly make it wider and test their scope. Tonight was a careful class to set them up for a legitimate World Cup qualifier on Saturday. So, OK, I like it when it works this way."
Saturday night's class is always an event at this Del mar show. Lots of local spectators pack the stands to watch their favorite riders go head to head for the honor of leading the victory gallop. The Del Mar arena lends itself to a festive atmosphere and the crowd's enthusiasm adds electricity to the air. With the cool beach air mixed in, the class has all the makings for great show jumping.
Show time is 7:00 PM for the $50,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar at the Del Mar race track just off of the 5 freeway at the Villa de la Valle exit. An autograph session for show jumping fans wraps up the evening following the class.
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