Laura Kraut wins Champagne Cave Winter Grades B & C Championship at Hickstead
Wednesday 24 July 2019
Olympic gold medallist Laura Kraut took the main class at Hickstead today, winning the Champagne Cave Winter Grades B & C Championship with Greatfull.
It was a second win in the Longines International Arena for the eight-year-old grey mare, who claimed the Old Lodge International 7&8 Year Old Championship here 12 months ago.
The pair came out on top of the 11-strong jump-off against the clock, making the most of a late draw to shave more than 1sec off the leading time set by eventual runner-up Jake Saywell (Lukas Van De Kievitsdrisen).
Greatfull is owner by Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knole Farm, who also owns Laura’s former Olympic horse Cedric.
“Today she was actually better than last year, which is always good to know, that she’s grown up a little bit in the year. Maybe next year she’ll get to jump in the five-star,” said Laura.
“When you ride a horse like that, it is easy. She doesn’t want to knock the poles down and she’s fast. She really loves it out on that arena – you never know how they’ll cope in a ring like that.”
As well as being part of the USA squad for Friday’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup leg, Laura also has an important competition coming up at Hickstead – she’ll be racing in the #10forTim charity run, held on Saturday night.
The Champagne Cave was set up in order to source the best vintages from small niche growers in France and is now predominantly supplied by small family run vineyards. The company regularly visits the Champagne region to check on the produce and witness the production process first hand. The Champagne Cave has handpicked some of the finest champagnes, many of which are not found for sale elsewhere in the UK. Their ‘clos’ wines are from one of the few remaining walled garden vineyards whilst their Grand Cru magnum champagnes are made by a grower who only produces 500-1000 magnums a year. Shop the selection via www.thechampagnecave.co.uk.
For full results and further information on the show visit www.hickstead.co.uk
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