MOMENTS of relaxation are rare for perennial US showjumping team member Laura Kraut, but she takes advantage of them on Mondays during the Florida circuit.
The Olympic team gold medallist is dealing with a string of 10 horses from December into April while competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington. That’s more than she handles on a weekly basis when in Europe. Generally, three or four horses go with her to those shows, while the rest stay at home, then swap for the next competition. Laura’s schedule also stretches to teaching her students.
So on her weekly day off in Florida, she and partner Nick Skelton like to take a breather and go into posh Palm Beach nearby, where they do some errands, shop and have lunch before heading back to their comfortable Wellington home.
A legion of trophies is on display in the living room, but in such a tasteful fashion that they meld into the rest of the decor. The house previously belonged to Laura’s team-mate, McLain Ward. It came with a small swimming pool and a pickleball court, where Nick enjoys playing despite a hip problem that has precluded the Olympic double gold medallist from riding for a while.
The Monday breaks are welcome during a winter and spring dedicated to Laura and Nick’s sharp focus on the 2024 Olympics.
“We have one priority this year, and it’s Paris,” Laura emphasises. “Versailles is so beautiful. The idea of Paris is so romantic.”
She was happy that Gregory Bodo, the lead course-designer for Paris, built the tracks at WEF one week.
Denne historien er fra April 04, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 04, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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.
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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
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After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
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The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
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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
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Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
