Wellington, FL – March 26, 2011 – The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric race to victory in the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* during week eleven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Kraut and Cedric won two grand prix classes in a row earlier in the circuit with victories in the $78,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 2* during week four and the $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 3*-W presented by Spy Coast Farm during week five. Tonight was the pair’s third and biggest grand prix victory of the WEF circuit to conclude a fantastic winter season.
Guilherme Jorge of Brazil designed the courses in the International Arena this week. In tonight’s class, forty entries jumped the first round course and 15 were able to go clean to advance to the jump-off. Nine were able to jump double clear, and Kraut and Cedric finished in a blazing 35.86 seconds to finish in first place.
Andres Rodriguez (VEN) rode Secret to the first clear round of the jump-off and set the standard with his speedy round in 37.10 seconds. The pair’s time held onto the lead for ten rounds before Kraut and Cedric entered the ring, eventually finishing in third place.
Continue reading Laura Kraut and Cedric Capture $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI 5*