Karl Cook Gears Up for U.S. Nations Cup Appearance at Wellington International

Karl Cook & Caracole de la Roque. Photo ©Sportfot

Wellington, Fla. – February 21, 2026 — U.S. Olympic team silver medal-winning duo Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque topped the $32,000 Buckeye Nutrition CSI2* 1.45m on Friday of Week 7 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The victory was the perfect prelude to their appearance on the U.S. Jumping Team for the CSIO4* FEI Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, during WEF 8.

From a nine-horse jump-off over tracks designed by Anthony d’Ambrosio (USA), Cook and his 14-year-old Selle Français mare (Zandor Z x Kannan*GFE), owned by Eric Navet and Signe Ostby, stopped the clock at 34.90 seconds. Coming off two-star grand prix success during WEF 5, Hilary McNerney (USA) rode Corlando, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Corporal VDL x Laptop), to second in 37.05 seconds.

Mexico’s Alberto Michan rounded out the podium on Joint de Canabis van de Doornhoeve, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Canabis Z AKZ x VDL Cardento 933), finishing third in 37.44 seconds.

This week marks Cook’s first trip to Wellington this season to use the two-star competition as preparation for the Wellington Nations Cup next week.

“The goal this week was to get her into the ring and make her feel like she’s in the game again,” said Cook of the mare that last competed at the end of January. “Our big goal this year is the World Games, so every single one of our decisions is geared toward putting us in the best place for Aachen.”

Hunter Derbies Galore on Grass Field at Equestrian Village

Tiffany Morrissey of Wellington, FL rode 14-year-old Selle Français gelding Cullighan to a blue ribbon finish in Friday’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets, on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village during Week 7 of WEF.

Taking advantage of the “hunt & go” format, Morrissey took her time throughout the classic round, earning an 89.1 and a 90 in the handy portion. Her use of the inside turns and high option put her and Cullighan, owned by Claudia Millstone, on top with a combined score of 179.5.

“It’s so fun to show on the grass. We don’t really get so many opportunities anymore for the grass, so I think everybody looks forward to coming out here,” spoke Morrissey, owner of East Wind Farm.

Fourteen-year-old Clara Burnham of Boulder, CO made her debut on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village with Hardrock Harmonie SIH, owned by Eva Kennedy, in the $10,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Hunt & Go Derby, presented by NetJets. They earned the blue ribbon with an 88 and 89 for a combined 177-point total. Scores of 88 and 87 earned Ava Barnes of Liberty Twp, OH second place riding Valentino, owned by Rivers Edge. Third place was awarded to Johnathan Cohen, of Wellington, FL and his own Hearsay.

“This was amazing; it was my first time ever on the derby field, and he took me around like a pro.
It felt incredible,” gushed the junior rider training under Jacob Pope and Nick Pongracz at Hickory Ridge. “I’m lucky that Whitney Caldwell, Eva Kennendy, Jacob, and Nick let me on such a special horse.”

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