July 4, 2022 
In horse racing, a “maiden” is a horse that has never won a race.
Eleven-year-old Cosmona is a maiden Grand Prix jumper. Her rider, Giavanna Rinaldi (USA), has never ridden in, let alone won, a 5* Grand Prix. On Sunday at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, they broke their maiden on the world stage at one of the most respected shows in North America.
“I really have no words, I’m just speechless,” said the 22-year-old rider.
“I’ve always dreamt of coming to the show [Spruce Meadows], it’s been a big dream of mine, and I’ve been dying to jump a 5* my whole life. And now that I’ve finally done it—my first 5* Grand Prix for both my horse and I—I just couldn’t be prouder of her and our team behind us. [I’m] just ecstatic.”
But here’s the thing: the American U25 rider didn’t just win the Pan American Grand Prix. She dominated.
Thirty starters came forward to test Peter Grant’s 14-obstacle 1.60m track. Poles fell throughout the course, particularly at the open water, the triple bar and the triple combination. Only two combinations found a clear path within the 91 second time allowed to advance the jump off: Mexican Olympian Jose Antonio Chedraui (56) and the young American.
Chedraui was first to return with Mighty Mouse, posting a foot perfect double clear in 51.13 seconds.
Then Rinaldi rode under the famed clock tower.
“I didn’t get to watch the [Jose] go. So, [my team] said that I just needed to take a chance. I had nothing to lose and just gave it my all,” said Rinaldi.
Her all translated into five seconds faster through the timers (46.23).
“I had a really good feeling about today,” she smiled. “I don’t know what it was, but I just walked the course and I knew my horse would help me out and as long as I rode well, she would be there for me.”
Cosmona is a relatively new ride for Rinaldi. Partnered since September, the pair has a 29% clear round rate at the 1.50m level, finishing in the top ten 33% of the time (JUMPR App). Prior to this week in Calgary, they have contested just four 1.60m courses— their best results being a one fault performance in a 4* Grand Prix in Wellington, FL and a four fault performance in the 5* FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Mexico, an event held at Chedraui’s family farm in Coapexpan.
“She’s been incredible and we’ve tried to form a bit of a partnership together,” said Rinaldi. “I’m really looking forward to the future of this horse.”
As is America. Spruce Meadows marks Rinaldi’s first 5* win. But it’s unlikely her last.
