Laura Kraut wins Valkenswaard Grand Prix

Laura Kraut and Cedric by Lulu Kyriacou

As she had done three weeks earlier to win the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Chantilly, Laura Kraut jumped triple clear with Cedric to take the feature class at the tour's home in Valkenswaard.

Four made the final jump-off and American rider Laura was first to go with her Alltech World Equestrian Games shortlisted partner, producing a fast clear. Germany's Christian Ahlmann (Taloubet Z) and Marco Kutscher (Cash), second and fourth to go, both faulted with the former being slightly quicker. But, Ireland's Denis Lynch and Lantinus left Uliano Vezzani's course intact to finish second, marking the horse's return to competition.

“It is just great to have Latinus back to his best.” said Denis. “This is only his sixth show after a long lay off due to injury, so I could not be happier with him.”

However, he was one second slower than Laura and she claimed the €95,000 winner's purse.

“Cedric has just been unbelievable lately, but this was different from Chantilly," said Laura. "There I was last but one to go and I knew what I had to do; here, with these three behind me, I just went as fast as possible from the start. I figured one of them was bound to beat me so I had nothing to lose by giving it a good shot.

"Cedric is getting short break now, then we go to Madrid and then WEG. I just hope my run continues there as I have a feeling Team USA will be in big trouble if we dont get a medal on home soil!”

Laura had also taken the morning's five-star medium tour 1.45m speed class with Unique, who, although originally ridden by Laura, is usually ridden by her partner Nick Skelton. However, Nick is due to have a hip operation this week, so wasn't able to compete at Valkenswaard.

"And i have to say I will be sorry to give him back and I am certainly going to make the most of it until I do," she said.

Brits were again in the placings on day two of the show. In the two-star division Ben Maher finished runner-up with Let's Fly 6 in a medium tour 1.40m speed class, while James Fisher claimed the same position in a small tour 1.35m on Vesta III. Lauley Squibb took third in a 1.15m one-star invitational speed class.

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