News
Laura Kraut and Teirra Win $10,000 Children's Defense Fund Open Jumper Speed at the 53rd Washington International Horse Show
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Thirty-two entries contested the opening class of the international
jumpers this evening, and it was Laura Kraut and Teirra who were
able to find the fastest clear path to victory in the $10,000
Children's Defense Fund Open Jumper Speed class sponsored by The
Wasserman Foundation. Kraut and Teirra held a wire-to-wire lead,
going first in the class and jumping clear in 52.50 seconds. Some
went clear, and some went faster, but none were able to beat the
combination.
Following her win, Kraut explained how she first got the ride on
Teirra in May of this year. The 11-year-old KWPN mare has been
showing for several years with amateur rider Addison Phillips and
had a break when the rider started college. Teirra has performed
extremely well at the grand prix level and is in line to be Kraut's
next top mount. The rider explained, "Stars and Stripes is a group
of wonderful owners who gathered together to help buy Teirra with
the idea that she would help Cedric not have to work so hard, and
she has done just that."
"She has been really great," Kraut smiled. "I love everything about her. She is brave, she tries really hard, and she tries to do everything the right way, which is really helpful. It is great because you really need that at this level." Going first in the class with many talented horses and riders to follow, Kraut admitted that she did not think her time would hold up. "I thought I would just go nice and smooth and do the strides and that would be it," she said. "I planned on maybe sixth or seventh, but it just worked out. This is a difficult ring and I think that a lot of the horses, even the seasoned ones, go in that ring and sometimes get a little star struck. She is just one of those horses where nothing really fazes her.”" Kraut had a great class and was pleased with tonight's course, calling it "a great warm-up and a perfect lead off for the week." |
