WEF Horse & Rider Spotlight: Laura Kraut

Horseware® Week at the Winter Equestrian Festival kicks off Wednesday, March 15^th. Horseware® Hero Rider Laura Kraut has been in Wellington for the famous winter series competing since January. She’ll be riding three different horses over the course of the week with Baloutinue as her ride in the Horseware® Grand Prix on Saturday, March 18^th. Let’s get to know Laura and her three horses competing this week a little better.

Horseware® Hero Rider Laura Kraut

Laura Kraut is a name that most equestrian households are familiar with. Currently standing as the number one international woman rider and ranks in the top 30 riders of the world based on FEI rankings. She’s a highly decorated equestrian competing in both world championships and Olympic games as early as 2000. Named the 2021 Equestrian of the Year by the United States Equestrian Federation, Laura is well known for her commitment to her horses, their care, and their development.

The Horses Competing at Winter Equestrian Festival’s Horseware Week

During Horseware® Week at Wellington International, Laura plans on competing with three horses; Baloutinue, Bisquetta, and Comius. Let’s learn more about each of her rides.

Baloutinue, better known around the barn as Balou, is a 13-year-old bay Hanoverian gelding sired by Balou du Rouet. The pair joined together in early 2021 at Wellington International for the first time. Laura took the win in the Equestrian Sport Production Spring II Grand Prix shortly after St. Bride’s Farm purchased him. Laura’s been noted saying he’s “one of the best in the world” and she’s “the luckiest person” to have him. Their most recent win was during WEF Week 7 when the duo placed first in the $425,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix.

Bisquetta, lovingly referred to as Biscuit, is one of the young mares that Laura currently pilots. She’s a nine-year-old, bay Zangersheide competing in the 1.40m – 1.50m classes. This pair had their debut FEI start in Spain in late 2021. The duo’s 2022 season was peppered with top 3 finishes and have experienced success here at the Winter Equestrian Festival this year. While small in size, this mare has a big jump and Laura comments she thinks “this one will be famous.”

Comius, whose barn name is Comet, is another one of Laura’s youngsters. At only 8 years old, he’s currently competing in the 1.40m – 1.45 Open Jumper classes at WEF. The handsome dapple grey Hannoverian gelding also joined in Spain for the first time in October 2021 and have toured Europe together since. This horse is another of Laura’s up-and-coming teammates to be on the lookout for in upcoming events.

Laura Kraut’s Favorite Fly Sheets

Rambo® Protector

With its self-repairing fabric, the Rambo® Protector is the perfect fly protection and 65% UV protection making it the perfect option for Laura’s horses. Ensuring maximum coverage, the flysheet features an extended hood shape that offers additional coverage of the neck and chest as well as extended belly coverage keeping these sensitive areas fly-free. Additionally, the drop of the sheet extends to the knees offering better defense against flies. The dual-leg arches allow for maximum shoulder movement. This sheet is also offered as a Disc-Font Closure, designed to alleviate pressure from the shoulder area preventing rubbing.

Rambo® Flybuster with No-Fly Zone™

Also made from Horseware Ireland’s patented self-repairing fabric, the Rambo® Flybuster features an all-natural insect-repellant technology called No-Fly Zone™. This powerful, natural treatment has proven to keep flies, ticks, and fleas at bay during the spring and summer months. Key features of the flysheet include maximum protection with an extended hood, extra belly coverage, and supersized tail flap. The sheet also offers 65% UV protection while still maintaining breathability.

Amigo® CamoFly

The unique pattern for the Amigo® CamoFly sheet was inspired by research suggesting that zebras’ stripes cause confusion for flies so they aren’t sure where to land. This natural defense against insects sparked the idea of using a fly’s wing to create a pattern that would disorient insects preventing them from landing on the horse. Made from 100% polyester mesh, this sheet offers supreme breathability with 65% UV protection in a lightweight option.