Petersen (GER) set a track that was not intimidating as riders perused the course, however it proved to be more difficult than many had anticipated. "After the course walk, majority of the riders told me it was an easy course," Petersen added, "I built a technical track and I think they noticed that once they rode it." A tough time allowed caught up with the first five rounds, however even after an adjustment, time was still one of the many challenges. The sixteen effort track featured three verticals set at 1.60M and a very wide triple bar spread. Many riders found themselves questioning their game plan as they approached the oxer-vertical-oxer combination. After clearing the oxer, the middle element came up quickly, causing four faults for a large group of contenders.
![Karl Cook and ASB Conquistador](/images/articles/3795/karl.jpg)
Karl Cook and ASB Conquistador
Petersen designed a long, flowing jump-off that demanded riders to cut corners, angle jumps, and gallop between obstacles. Cook returned on his first mount, ASB Conquistador. With an unfortunate rail, Cook charged to the final oxer, stopping the clock in a speedy 44.46 seconds. McNaught (GBR) and her trusty Caballo attempted to top the leaderboard, but with a similar unlucky rail down and not quite as speedy, McNaught would have to settle for a four fault score in 45.93, good enough for third place.
Coulter attempted to cover the ground between jumps with Graciella 50's speed, however ended up with two rails down in 46.14 seconds and a fourth place overall. Despite Nemo 119's usual parade of bucking and kicking, once the clock started Davis and her talented mount were all business. Well on her way to a winning round, Davis attempted a tough angle at an oxer. The risk didn't pay off when Nemo 119 refused. The pair ended up with 13 faults, settling for 5th respectively.
![Karl Cook finishes 1st and 2nd in the $50,000 Fisker Automotive World Cup Grand Prix](/images/articles/3796/karl2.jpg)
Karl Cook finishes 1st and 2nd in the $50,000 Fisker Automotive World Cup Grand Prix
Leading up to the Grand Prix was the $10,000 Royal Champion Classic. A class with a unique format, the top ten scoring teams from the first round return for a second round with a clean slate to compete for the win. Eduardo Menezes (BRA) came back in the jump-off with two mounts, Quintol Mercedes Benz and Audi's Reflection, taking the top spot as well as 4th place.
The evening concluded with a raffle drawing where over 30 fabulous prizes were up for grabs. Spectators, exhibitors and fans lined up around the corner of the main entrance for a chance to meet the evening's competitors as well as course designer Olaf Petersen Jr., reigning World Cup Champion and Olympian Rich Fellers, and the newly knighted U.S Show Jumping coach, Robert Ridland.
To see full result from the $50,000 Fisker Automotive World Cup Grand Prix click here.