The U.S. won its third consecutive silver medal in the team jumping event at the historic Chateau de Versailles, with French president Emmanuel Macron on hand to watch.
Cook and Caracole de la Roque were joined by Laura Kraut (aboard Balountinue) and McLain Ward (riding Ilex) as the second-place finishers behind Great Britain. France took bronze.
It was Ward’s fifth medal following his golds at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing (which he shared with Kraut). Ward said the importance of the Olympics in American society has allowed them to prioritize working toward the Games every four years.
“I think our team mentality is that this is the pinnacle of the sport," Ward said. "This is what we aim everything towards.”
“In the United States, we are so focused to go to the Olympics,” she said. “This is what we grow up dreaming of and thinking of.”
“I think being able to pull it off a few times builds confidence. Everyone keeps delivering,” Ward said. “And I think that perpetuates itself, right? It inspires the next generation.”
Part of that next generation is Cook, who made his Olympic debut in Paris. Kent Farrington and Greya were the third combination initially selected for the jumping team, but an "allergy issue" with Greya – and all three scores counting – prompted the team to insert the 33-year-old and Caracole de la Roque.
“Mentally, all of our training, everything, was as if we were on the team,” Cook said. “Even though we were alternate, I figured it was best to do it that way instead of trying to hype yourself up from nowhere.”
If it is, Kraut left the world stage with one last impressive feat. Balountinue is now a two-time medalist, something that’s rare for any horse in equestrian. He and Kraut hadn’t been together long prior to Tokyo, but entering Paris, their partnership was one of the highlights of the Games for her.
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