The Three to Track at CSIO5* San Juan Capistrano

For the first time, San Juan Capistrano hosts a five-star Nations Cup event. Riders from across the globe travelled to California to represent the colours of their nation. Based on the EquiRatings data, these are the duos we think you should pay particular attention to.

The Favourite: McLain Ward & Contagious

McLain Ward’s Contagious comes into the CSIO5* competition in San Juan Capistrano as the highest-rated horse of the field with an Elo of 764. A venue that could very well suit this pair as they have proven time and time again to be hard to beat on a grass footing. Just last year, this duo won not one but two 160 classes on the prestigious grass arena of Aachen. This year too they are proving to be in god form, already having picked up a podium place in a CSI5* Grand Prix in Wellington in February.

Hometown Hero: Karl Cook & Kalinka van 't Zorgvliet

Team USA is motivated to get their Olympic qualification and have selected a strong contingency to represent the star-spangled banner on the Nations Cup circuit this year. While McLain Ward & Contagious enter as the highest-rated combination in the field, the second-highest rated is also a part of the US Team. Karl Cook’s Kalinka van ‘t Zorgvliet currently sports an Elo of 749 and is showing superb form so far this year. The pair maintain a 100% clear rate at 160 so far in 2023 over two rounds. This pair could become a valuable part of Team USA in the years to follow.

One to Watch: Conor Swail & Count Me In

When this pair are on the startlist, you can be sure the competition will be fierce. This Irish pair is lightning fast and another with proven results on big grass arenas. The pair delivered a crucial double clear round on the homegrown Irish grass during the Nations Cup in Dublin, before jetting off to Calgary to claim the win over a 160 track. More recently though, the pair claimed their first Grand Prix victory of the year on the Derby Field in Wellington this February. Count Me In enters San Juan Capistrano on an Elo of 734, the third highest of the field.