Laura Kraut and Belmont Capture First Place Finish at Casas Novas in the Gran Premio Telefonica

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Laura Kraut showed Belmont to his first Grand Prix win in the Gran Premio Telefonica at Casas Novas on July 29, 2012. Kraut and Belmont pictured at the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com

A Coruña, Spain – August 3, 2012 – Laura Kraut guided several top mounts to the CSI 4* at Casas Novas, winning the Gran Premio Telefonica on the final day with Belmont, owned by Mrs. B. Widdowson. She exhibited the 11-year-old bay gelding to the first place finish in a stunning time of 44.25 seconds, beating some of the world’s best. Casa Novas got underway from July 27-29, 2012, with Kraut picking up the top placing throughout the three-day show jumping competition.

On the final day of the CSI 4* Casas Novas, Kraut entered the ring as the 39th rider out of the field of 46 entrants. She posted a fantastic effort over the first round course, and then guided Belmont to a seemingly flawless first place finish over the challenging second round.

Javier Trenor of Spain designed the demanding course with obstacles that challenged both horse and rider alike. It consisted of bending lines, unrelated distances, a triple bar, an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination and a liver pool. The second course demanded a speedy delivery as riders maneuvered the quick turns and raced against the clock. Kraut guided Belmont to the first place finish with a double-clear effort in 44.25 seconds to claim the top award.

“I’m so pleased with Belmont’s performance this week.  The Grand Prix course had its challenges, which Belmont handled beautifully,” Kraut remarked. “He’s very brave and has a fantastic jump.  We have developed a nice partnership and I am so excited he’s won his first Grand Prix. ”

Earlier in the competition, Kraut earned the seventh place finish with Belmont in the Trofeo Prosegur on Friday afternoon. The pair rode to a double-clear effort, and posted a fantastic time of 36.34 seconds. Although they were bested that day, Kraut admitted that she was thrilled with the ride.

“I wanted to save Belmont for the Grand Prix on Sunday so I just planned to have a conservative round on Friday,” Kraut explained. “He was great, and posted a nice double clear which gave us a good deal of confidence for Sunday.”

Kraut also took good awards aboard Woodstock O, owned by Joan Kalman/Freedom Group in the speed and handiness jumping class, the Trofeo Azkar. They rode to a top finish with a time of 66.49 seconds. She also guided the brown mare Nouvelle, owned by the Evita Group, to a spot in the top 12 with a clear effort in the Trofeo La Caixa in 64.51 seconds.

It is apparent that even though Kraut’s top mount Cedric, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, is refreshing prior to the upcoming Dublin Horse Show in mid-August, Kraut is on par and leaving nothing to chance as she continues to dominate her European tour.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
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