Cook Wins Western Alliance Bank CSI3* Welcome
Karl Cook and Heroes Kervec claimed the $62,000 class at Desert International Horse Park in a jump-off decided by under a second.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Equestrian
Karl Cook piloted Heroes Kervec to victory in the $62,000 Western Alliance Bank CSI3* Welcome at Desert International Horse Park on Thursday. Kaitlin Campbell finished second and third aboard Cloud and Cosm Questa VD Heffinck.
Why it matters
The class marks the first time the park's National Sunshine Series 2 has offered FEI classes, adding international-level competition to the California venue's 2026-2027 season. The result gives Cook a winning mount in a field of 57 combinations.
The $62,000 purse was contested by 57 horse-and-rider combinations, with nine clear in the first round and eight advancing to the jump-off. Cook and Heroes Kervec, a 9-year-old Selle Français gelding owned by Signe Ostby for roughly three years, won in 35.09 seconds.
The players
Karl Cook
Karl Cook is a U.S. Olympian and accomplished show jumping rider who won the class aboard Heroes Kervec.
Kaitlin Campbell
Kaitlin Campbell is an Israeli show jumping rider who finished second and third in the class.
Desert International Horse Park
Desert International Horse Park is an equestrian venue in California that hosts FEI competitions and national show series.
The details
Cook and Heroes Kervec won the jump-off after nine clear first-round rounds, with eight entries returning to the Grand Prix Stadium. Campbell rode Cloud to second place and Cosm Questa VD Heffinck to third, both within a fraction of a second of the winning time.
Timeline
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Western Alliance Bank CSI3* Welcome held at Desert International Horse Park.
Season Trajectory
The Western Alliance Bank CSI3* Welcome is the first FEI-sanctioned class at the Desert International Horse Park's National Sunshine Series 2, extending international-level show jumping to a California venue this season. The result positions Cook and Campbell among the leading combinations in the 2026-2027 FEI calendar at the park.
Riders and spectators planning to attend FEI classes at Desert International Horse Park should check the venue's competition schedule for upcoming CSI events. The park's National Sunshine Series 2 now includes international classes, which may affect entry timing and ticket planning.
The takeaway
Cook's win shows how a first-time FEI class can produce a close, decisive result, with the top three finishing within 0.66 seconds. Readers following equestrian sport in California can watch the park's schedule for further international classes.
Further reading
Explore more California Equestrian coverage for context on the state's show jumping circuit.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chronofhorse.
