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Laura KRAUT

Laura KRAUT, American Jumping athlete.
Name Laura KRAUT
FEI ID 10000453
Gender Female
Date of Birth 14/11/1965
Competing for United States of America - USA
Registration Jumping 2025
Last update 30/07/2024
FEI Database




Jumping 70x70
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport? She began riding at age three in Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
Why this sport? Her mother encouraged Kraut and her sister to get involved in equestrian sport. "From the youngest age I can remember, I loved horses and ponies. My mother was 'horse crazy' and it was hereditary. There was never a day that I wasn't thinking about them, feeding them, drawing them, riding or playing with them. I was just always going to ride. I never, ever, once had a thought in my mind that I wouldn't ride for any reason. It was just part of me. Horses are my life, it's what I do."
Training Regime She incorporates yoga, pilates, weight training, and running into her schedule.
Further Personal Information
Family Partner Nick Skelton, son Bobby [1999]
Occupation Athlete, Business Owner, Coach, Horse Trainer
Languages English
General Interest
Most influential person in career US equestrian jumper Katie Prudent. (grandprix-replay.com, 25 Feb 2019)
Injuries She was taken to hospital after suffering a concussion and a broken nose in a fall in July 2020. (horseandhound.co.uk, 18 Sep 2020; jumpernews.com, 07 Aug 2020) She suffered an ankle injury in September 2018. (noellefloyd.com, 21 Sep 2018) She broke her jaw and three molars in June 2011 while competing in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco. (chronofhorse.com, 12 Jul 2011) She was unable to compete for a period in the 1980s due to injury. She returned to the sport in 1988. (Facebook page, 13 May 2017)
Sporting philosophy / motto "As in anything, be prepared for a lot of long hours, a lot of hard work, a lot of frustration and a lot of reward. Whether it is in the showring, or just being affiliated with horses or the people around them, if you are super talented and a little bit lucky, you will probably get to do things you never even imagined. If you aren't super talented, there will be a point you'll find out what your niche is and still get to be involved in the sport some way." (vitalizeeq.com, 26 Sep 2019)
Awards and honours She was named the 2021 International Equestrian of the Year by the United States Equestrian Federation [USEF]. (chronofhorse.com, 14 Jan 2022) She was presented with the US Olympic Committee [USOC] Jack Kelly Fair Play Award in 2003. (noellefloyd.com, 14 Jan 2015) She was named the American Grand Prix Association [AGA] Rider of the Year for the 2000/01 season. (wihs.org, 11 Dec 2001)
Famous relatives Her partner Nick Skelton represented Great Britain in equestrian jumping at seven Olympic Games between 1988 and 2016, winning gold in the team event in 2012 and gold in the individual event in 2016. Her son Bobby Kraut competed in equestrian jumping at CSI2* level before entering college. (SportsDeskOnline, 25 Jun 2020; horseandhound.co.uk, 15 May 2017; horsenetwork.com, 17 Aug 2016)
Ambitions To compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (fei.org, 08 Jul 2022) She is set to compete, riding Baloutinue (laurakrout.com, 30 July 2024).
Other information MISSED WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS She decided to skip the 2022 World Championships in Herning, Denmark, as her horse Baloutinue was recovering from an injury. "It's nothing serious, but if there's one thing my career has taught me, it's that there's no point in competing in a championship with a horse that's not in the best shape. It is far too much of an effort, far too hard. Baloutinue is expected to be back in competition in September [2022]. The decision to pass up on these FEI World Championships was not an easy one to make, of course. Thirty years ago I might have gone for it anyway, listening only to my ambition! But I now know that patience is the main virtue you need when you are dealing with horses." (fei.org, 08 Jul 2022) SISTER She and her sister Mary Elizabeth were introduced to riding at the same time and both developed a love for equestrian sport. Mary Elizabeth has worked with Laura throughout her career and helps to manage the horse-care side of her career. "My sister is the engine that runs everything. She organises everything, teaches a lot, she is great on the ground. We grew up together and see things the same. I trust her completely. She runs everything. I'm basically just a girl and a horse and that's it. I never could have accomplished what I've done without the team that I have." (worldofshowjumping.com, 11 Aug 2020; fei.org, 14 May 2020; practicalhorsemanmag.com, 03 Jan 2020) PARTNER Her partner Nick Skelton has won two Olympic gold medals in equestrian jumping, and has been an influential figure during her riding career. "It's been a great experience to have a different perspective on riding and training. I am sure he has influenced my riding more than I even realise. Now that Nick is retired, we no longer compete against each other. When he was competing, we obviously each wanted to win but I never felt we were against each other." (sidelinesmagazine.com, 28 Jan 2019) RESIDENCE She has spent time living in the Netherlands and Alcester, England, where her partner Nick Skelton resides. She also spends time based in Wellington, FL, United States of America. "I live in Europe because I want to continue to compete against the best. It's the only way to stay at the top level." (Equestrian Living, 11 Sep 2022; fei.org, 08 Jul 2022; grandprix-replay.com, 25 Feb 2019; noellefloyd.com, 28 Feb 2017) “If you want to go to an Olympic Games, you want to feel like you are sitting on one of the best horses in the world and you are there to win, not just be at the Olympics" (practicalhorsemanmag.com, 30 July 2024).
Milestones She became the oldest US female athlete to win a medal at the Olympic Games since 1904 when she claimed silver in the team equestrian jumping competition at age 55 years and 266 days at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 16 Nov 2021)