Wellington, FL – February 21, 2014 – Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric rode to a top three finish out of a field of 115 contenders yesterday during the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 held at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The 15-year-old grey gelding completed a quick and tidy jump off to nab third place in a time of 42.96 seconds for Section B of the “California Split.”
Thirty horses jumped off yesterday, but only 10 were able to traverse the shortened track without fault. In an effort to prepare for Saturday night’s $280,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 4* Kraut rode smoothly and conservatively.
“When I went into the jump off, I based my plan around Saturday night. I wanted to be neat, but I knew I wasn’t going to chase after the ones who were already winning,” Kraut said. “I was hoping to jump clear, which he did. The ones who won were outstanding. I think for Cedric I only want to call on him like that once a week, and that’s hopefully going to be Saturday.”
Kraut continued, “He feels super, I am just pretending that he is 10 years old. He acts like he is six, so I am just forgetting his age, and hoping that works to our advantage.”
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Although owner Margaret Duprey was unable to make the first round of the class, she was there to watch as Kraut and Cedric jumped to the third place finish. It was the end to a fantastic day for Cherry Knoll Farm, as Duprey’s 3-year-old Thoroughbred Escapist took the victory as a first time starter in a maiden race at Gulfstream Park in Hallendale, FL, with Mario G. Pino in the irons.
“It was a great day for Cherry Knoll Farm,” Duprey said. “Peter Pugh trains both of my 3-year-olds, and it was a wonderful way to start what we hope will be a successful career. I was so fortunate to be able to see both Escapist and Cedric go straight to the top today.”
Duprey concluded, “I will be there Saturday night to see Cedric go under the lights, and he is definitely back in form. He has his game face going. There are a lot of great things in their future, and I am so pleased to once again have Cedric with Laura as they represent the U.S. for the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup next weeks.”
Laura Kraut and Cedric will continue to show at FTI WEF for the remainder of the season. Kraut also has the ride aboard Cherry Knoll Farm’s Constable, who has been riding to the top of the ranks in the young jumpers.
