August 2, 2024 
“We came here with a strong team, arguably one of the strongest team in the last three Olympics,” said U.S. chef d’equipe Robert Ridland.
“We have three of the greatest riders to ever have ridden for our country on this team—”
”And me,” quipped Karl Cook.
“—in Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut and McLain Ward,” continued Ridland, joking, “and then we brought him [Karl].
“But what that is is the present and the future. And, Karl was honored, excited to be on the team. The first thing he said when we talked about it, was, ‘I’m here to do whatever I need to do to help the other three.’
“Well, guess what? He did.”
Just two hours before the Thursday’s team qualifier, Cook was tapped to compete in place of Kent Farrington when his mount, Greya, exhibited an allergy concern.
The Californian, making his Olympic debut, answered the call with a foot perfect clear for Team USA in the Team Qualifier and another in Friday’s Team Final.
“I have to say what Karl had to do this week, it’s one of the hardest things to do,” said five-time Olympian McLain Ward, who delivered the final and clutch clear for USA on the day.
“To be sitting there in the wings, so to speak, supporting, it’s already a hard role because our our dream is to ride at the Olympic Games and win medals. To do that and be the utmost professional and gentleman and then in the 11th hour to come in and deliver those two clear rounds, for me, and I think, Laura, that was all the respect to the world as a competitor.
“That is not easy.”
The top 10 nations in Thursday’s qualifier advanced to Friday’s medal round where the scores reset to zero. Great Britain dominated on the day finishing on just two time faults for the gold. Team USA fought from a four fault start by Kraut and Baloutinue to the silver medal with clears from Cook and anchor rider Ward.
It’s a moment that the Olympic rookie is still processing.
“I think I’m still digesting,” said Cook.
“It’s amazing being able to compete with people I’ve watched and respected and learned from for so many years. And, to be on the inside, watch how it all works, and to be able to go in and jump and do it all together—it’s what you hope for when you’re a kid hoping to go to the Games one day. It’s really special.”
The medal is USA’s fifth since 2000. The Americans won team gold at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympics and team silver medals at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and now, Paris 2024. Notably, Ward rode on all those teams. Kraut rode for the USA in 2008 and 2020 and Ridland has served as chef since 2016.
In Tokyo, at age 55, Kraut became the oldest woman to win a medal for the USA.
“I’ve broken my record!” she laughed. “I am officially, again, the oldest woman medalist I think since 1907.“
But if you ask Ridland, he expected as much from his dream team.
“We came here expecting high things,” he continued. “But you never know. The sport has so many ups and downs, the format, there’s a whole lot that goes into it. The competition is stronger than it’s ever been.
“So it was an amazing Games and I mean, just looking at those grandstands, there’s not an empty seat in the house. This is the sport at its best. It just doesn’t get any better.”
Olympic jumping continues Monday with the Individual Qualifier and wraps on Tuesday with the Individual Final.
