Laura Kraut and Whitney. PC: Phelps Media
International jumper competition kicked off at the CP National Horse Show on Wednesday evening with Laura Kraut of the United States taking the first jumper win of the week, and the Cavcote Welcome Trophy, aboard St. Bride’s Farm’s Whitney in the $35,000 International Open Jumpers Welcome Speed CSI4*.
Forty-six horses and athletes challenged the one-round speed course designed by Michel Vaillancourt, but only 11 jumped clear with no faults.
Entering the Alltech Arena as 31st in the order-of-go, Kraut and the 14-year-old KWPN mare took over the top spot from Devin Ryan (USA) and his own Cooper in 61.020 seconds to secure the win.
Laura Kraut and Whitney couldn't be caught in the Open Jumper Welcome Speed class at the National Horse Show!
Posted by EQSportsNet on Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Ryan and Cooper followed in second place in 61.520 seconds, while Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire and Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Lady Maria BH rounded out the top three in 62.740 seconds.
“I brought Whitney to do this class. Last week [at Washington] I had one down in every class. Devin Ryan made it difficult for me today, and I wasn’t sure if I could beat him, but it all worked out.”
“She is a wonderful horse and has tons of experience,” continued Laura. “She won a ton with Ramiro Quintana, who rode her before, and knows the ropes. When she is feeling on top this is the perfect class for her because she loves being competitive.”
Kraut, who is currently the leading female rider in the world in the Longines Rankings, will compete at the National Horse Show all week, riding Confu in Thursday’s $130,000 CP Grand Prix International Open Jumpers CSI4*-W to qualify for Saturday’s $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington CSI4*-W. Whitney will also compete with Kraut again in Friday’s Salamander Hotels and Resorts $35,000 Accumulator Class.
Laura Kraut and Whitney. PC: Phelps Media
“I am surprised to be the top female in the world but I am very happy about that! Obviously, I would prefer to be the top rider in the world but it is good. I don’t focus on ranking too much because, for me, no matter how important it is to you, it doesn’t make you try more or less. You have to do what is right for your horses.”
The 2017 CP National Horse Show will highlight the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington CSI4*-W on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. followed by a concert with the Original Wailers. Sunday, Nov. 5, will also feature the final round of the ASPCA Maclay National Championship with the flat phase beginning at 1 p.m.
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RESULTS
$35,000 International Open Jumpers Welcome Speed CSI4*:
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / Total Faults / Time
1. Whitney / Laura Kraut / USA / St. Bride’s Farm / 0 / 61.020
2. Cooper / Devin Ryan / USA / Devin Ryan / 0 / 61.520
3. Lady Maria BH / Amanda Derbyshire / GBR / Gochman Sport Horse LLC / 0 / 62.040
4. Cocq A Doodle / Andrew Ramsay / USA / The Doodle Group / 0 / 64.210
5. Tarioso Manciais / Katherine Dinan / USA / Grant Road Partners LLC / 0 / 64.720
6. Igor Van De Heibos / Tracy Fenney / USA / MTM Farm / 0 / 65.470
7. Dicas / Margie Engle / USA / Storm Ridge Capital, Showhorses LLC, Gladewinds & Garber / 0 / 70.260
8. Indra Van De Oude Heihoef / Shane Sweetnam / IRL / The Blue Buckle Group / 0 / 72.540
9. Volage Du Val Henry / Jessica Springsteen / USA / SCEA Elevage De Voise / 0 / 72.710
10. Coriandolo Di Ribano / Lauren Tisbo / USA / Tequestrian Farms, LLC / 0 / 73.590
11. Pembroke / Adrienne Sternlicht / USA / Starlight Farms 1 LLC / 0 / 76.420
12. Hilfiger Van De Olmenhoeve / Emily Moffitt / GBR / Poden Farms / 1 / 78.730