IN the midst of a crazy, virus-plagued year, Laura Kraut is working toward making the US showjumping team for her fifth Olympics.
“It’s the strangest thing. We’re used to being such planners and organisers and now we can’t plan anything,” says Laura, referring to Covid-19 and EHV-1.
The 55-year-old rider’s situation was complicated by a fall in February, when she broke her collarbone.
“It’s been a bummer,” says Laura, who was out of the action from midway through the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, leaving her 41st in the Longines rankings.
That was on top of an accident last year at a Dutch show, where she broke her nose and her horse stepped on her Charles Owen helmet. Happily, it protected her head and has been seen in advertisements with the horrific gash it took for its wearer. That time, she only missed three weeks of competition; Laura is someone who perseveres.
THIS all-around horsewoman was never pampered growing up, when riding was only 10% of what she did with horses.
“We groomed them, iced their legs, cleaned stalls, rode them bareback with no halter or bridle. We’d take them swimming. As I got older, I drove the truck and trailer. We learnt every aspect of it, which made you appreciate the horses, not just the competition. And that’s important,” she says. “In our world, you’re lucky if you have a 1% win ratio.”
Of course, she’s done better than that. But her big break didn’t come until a 40.6°C day in 1990 at a show in Tennessee, when Geoff Sutton decided it was too hot for him to compete on his thoroughbred jumper, Simba Run, and offered the ride to Laura.
この記事は Horse & Hound の April 29, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Horse & Hound の April 29, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions