Karl Cook and Candy Can’t Be Caught in JTWG Inc. CSIO4* Grand Prix

Karl Cook & Candy. Photo @Sportfot

Wellington, Fla. – March 1, 2026 — The U.S. national anthem rang out once again for Karl Cook’s victory in the $200,000 JTWG Inc. CSIO4* Grand Prix riding Candy, just one day after a home win for Team USA in the FEI Nations Cup at Wellington International during Week 8 of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

A five-horse jump-off that included four nations set the stage for another face-off between the U.S. and Ireland. After a bold gallop to the final fence in USA course designers Steve Stephens and Nick Granat’s jump-off track, Cook and Candy set an uncatchable time at 36.87.

An extra stride in that final line from Irish Olympian Darragh Kenny aboard Colibelle Hero Z, an 11-year-old Belgian-bred mare (Comme Il Faut 5 x Rubens du ry d’Asse) owned by Elena A. Haas, settled them as the runner-up on a time of 37.72 seconds. Kenny also earned the Niall Grimes “Cheers” Perpetual Trophy as the top money-earning Irish competitor during CSIO week at WEF.

The pathfinding in the jump-off and fellow Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam finished third in 37.75 seconds riding Coriaan van Klapscheut Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned together with Voquest, LLC, and by the same sire, Comme Il Faut 5, out of a Lord Z Z mare.

“The last line was wight or nine, but the 8 was a tall ask,” said Cook, whose groom, Tessa Falanga, accepted the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 cash prize for her care and preparation of Candy. “The way we jumped in — I had to go look at my landing prints during the prizegiving — was so far to the right, I wasn’t planning to have that much of an inside line, and that made the eighth.”

The jump-off, which also included McLain Ward (USA) and Erynn Ballard (CAN), was stacked with athletes who have all represented their nation at the Olympic Games, proving the win would not come easily. “Jump-offs like this, you have to focus on yourself and what you’re capable of,” said Cook, an Olympic team silver medalist. “That was only our second jump-off together. I’ve had her for a while but haven’t jumped clear. We did everything we could today, and it was enough.”

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