Press release from Split Rock Jumping Tour, edited by World of Showjumping

1/ST, the innovative brand redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and equestrian sport, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences, in partnership with the prestigious Split Rock Jumping Tour, opened the Santa Anita 5* Wednesday with top talent and fast times. The day started with the $500 1.30m Speed, followed by the $1,500 ESI Footing 1.35m Speed and $10,000 1.40m Speed. The day culminated in a competitive field of 82 horse-and-rider combinations in the $35,000 C. Jarvis Insurance CSI5*-W 1.45M Two Phase. 

Some of the highest-ranked riders in the world contested this Anderson Lima-designed quick and technical track, from reining European Champion Richard Vogel to World #1 Kent Farrington, leading U25 rider Nina Mallevaey, and multi-Olympic medalist McLain Ward. However, it was Mathijs van Asten (NED) and Orlando van de Afspanning (Kartouzo van 't Kathof x Flamenco de Semilly) who blazed to the top spot in a phase two time of 25.70.

“I am very happy with the horse, owned by Vani Khosla. We started last week here, and I thought today was a nice class to go a little bit for it. Sometimes it goes the way you want it -- I could leave one stride out to the last (jump) and it made a little bit of a difference,” said van Asten. “The atmosphere is very good. and I hope we can come back many times.”

Canada’s #5 ranked and Canadian Leading Rider of The Year, Nicole Walker, took home second-place honors, piloting Atout des Trambles (Nectar des Forets HN x Apache d'Adriers) to a handily ridden phase two finish of 27.26. World #8, Laura Kraut (USA), was narrowly edged out by Walker, stopping the clock in a time of 27.59 aboard Lady D (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Indoctro).

Last night’s competitors have an eye on the top prize in Saturday night’s $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Los Angeles. With jumps set at a solid 1.60m, the class will be a competition of athleticism, technical prowess and mental and physical stamina. Karl Cook will be looking to defend his 2024 Santa Anita CSI5*-W World Cup™ Qualifier title aboard Caracole de La Roque (Zandor Z x Kannan).