Traverse City, United States – September 17, 2026 – Karl Cook (USA) is always a force to be reckoned with in speed action, and paired once again with his longtime partner Kalinka van’t Zorgvliet, the duo is picking up major results. On Thursday of week three of the Tournament of Champions, they earned a win in the $31,020 American Gold Cup Speed CSI 5*-W .
“I love riding that mare,” Cook said of the 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Thunder VD Zuuthoeve x Flipper d’Elle). “She’s just the best and it’s so much fun to go out there with her. It always helps to know the arena and the jumps but today was just having fun with Kalinka and following our walk and hoping all the jumps showed up on time.”
Around Alan Wade’s (IRL) course, Cook clocked a time of 58.76 seconds, the only pair to drop below the 60-second mark throughout the class. As only the second to go, they still had to wait to find out if it had been enough.
“It went to plan,” Cook said of the ride Thursday. “There was one place where we could’ve left out one more stride I think but we just landed not in the place for that. Other than that it showed up the way we hoped and she was great.”
Coming home in 60.09 seconds for second place was Kelli Cruciotti VanderVeen (USA) with Mochito v/d Mishagen.
Erynn Ballard (CAN) scored third aboard L ‘Eperon-S.
Cook is more than comfortable at high speed; it’s become natural for him on all of his horses.
“You’re always trying to go fast – that’s the point – but the more you do it the more smooth it is and the less you’re doing something different,” he explained of his comfort level with a faster pace. “That’s just your base speed, which makes it easier. You don’t have to ride differently to shave a few more seconds off.”
Final Results – $31,020 American Gold Cup Speed CSI 5*-W
1) Karl Cook (USA) & Kalinka van’T Zorgvliet – 0 – 58.76
2) Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) & Mochito vd Mishagen – 0 – 60.09
3) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & L’Eperon S – 0 – 62.75
Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows
Photo: © TCHS / Natalie Suto Photography / Megan Giese Media
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