Laura Kraut
Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

THE WINS KEEP COMING
Biography
By Stephanie Stephens

Laura Kraut, age 36, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, is having what can only be described as an incredible year in the grand prix ring, having clinched wins in grands prix at Spruce Meadows; Minnesota; Indiannapolis; the Pennsylvania National Horse Show; North Fork, New York; and the Washington International Horse Show (at press time).

Originally from Camden, South Carolina, Kraut began riding at age three. "My mother was always involved with horses, and so, my sister and I did the same," Kraut reflects.

She recalls having to work, when she was young, on the mental discipline of not getting nervous at a competition. "One of the things that helped me was to realize that I wasn't the only person in the world who made mistakes. I'd watch the top professionals chip in at a jump in the hunter ring. They'd make a mistake, but it never seemed to fluster them. They'd come right back and lay down a beautiful round. For me, it was the end of the world if I did something wrong."

Her most memorable moment? "When I made alternate on the 1992 Barcelona Olympic team. I had come from nowhere with a horse, Simba Run, that people didn't really think much of. He was so amazing through the whole Trials. I got to do everything at the Olympics: the welcome class, opening ceremonies. It was very exciting for me at the time."

The horse is named for a ski run at Vail, Colorado. "He starts easy on the course, but by the end, he's very different...like that run is 'green' at the top (for beginners) and 'black' at the bottom (for experts)." The horse is 21 and retired now.

Kraut thinks one of the most important tactics in the sport is for her to "stay humble. You can be on top one day, and at the bottom the next. Pretty much everyone is that way." Her next goal? It is the World Championships next year. "I'm looking forward to those Trials."

MORE ABOUT HER HORSES:

Kraut is probably best known for her partnership with Anthem, a 10-year-old Dutch gelding. "He's actually kind of a shy horse, who's come out a lot since I've had him. He loves treats...peppermints, pears and apples...the standard horse treat fare. He's very sweet, but will get nervous at competitions. Almost every time he enters the ring, he'll whinny just one time. Once he starts working, he'll get over his jitters, though. He can spook and he can buck, but that buck is real smooth, almost like a big kick."

Liberty is a 10-year-old Dutch mare, who "on the ground, is the sweetest horse. My two-year-old son, Bobby, even rides her! But when she's competing, she's quite feisty, and lunges at the jump while ringing her tail. She looks like she'd be 'marish,' not very friendly, but in the barn, she really is."

Kraut predicts that Bobby is going to be an expert tractor driver. She has left him home during the past weeks since September 11, thinking it was wiser as she traveled "to the hot bed of activity. When he's not here, it's a long time to be away," laments Kraut. Her husband, Bob, also rides two amateur horses, and has also claimed his share of prize money this year."

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