Laura Kraut and Bisquetta Triumph in the MLSJ Coachella Cup Grand Prix
McLain Ward and High Star Hero Finish 0.03 Behind to Take Second
7 December 2025 at 5:49 pmBy a.dunne
U.S. Olympian Laura Kraut rode the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare Bisquetta to victory in the $750,000 1.60m FEI5* Coachella Cup Grand Prix Saturday. It was her first Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) Grand Prix win. The pair were second in the jump-off order of go, putting on the pressure early. HERE for their round in the jump-off.
A 1st-2nd-3rd podium finish for the Americans
It looked like McLain Ward and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding High Star Hero were en route to catching the fellow American, but fell short by 0.03 seconds. Young rider phenom Skylar Wireman joined the veteran show jumpers on the podium in third place, as she and Barclino B, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding, clocked in 0.13 seconds behind McLain Ward.
1 Laura Kraut - BISQUETTA- 0/36.27
2 McLain Ward - HIGH STAR HERO - 0/36.30
3 Skylar Wireman - BARCLINO B - 0/36.43
4 Daniel Bluman - CORBIE V.V. - 0/37.18
5 Nina Mallevaey - DYNASTIE DE BEAUFOUR - 0/37.54
6 Cian O'Connor - KENTUCKY CN - 0/38.81
7 Aaron Vale - CARISSIMO 25 - 4/36.98
8 Nicola Philippaerts - GADGET MOUCHE - 8/34.87
9 Richard Vogel - GANGSTER MONTDESIR - 8/36.32
10 Kaitlin Campbell - KARIUS - 8/39.18
Under the lights on a chilly night in the desert, 11 riders advanced to the jump-off from a field of 35. The time allowed proved influential in the first round, and kept a few riders from advancing to the jump-off, including Callie Schott and Garant, who exceeded the time allowed of 84 seconds by 0.44 seconds.
Laura Kraut finished fourth in last year's Grand Prix at the Desert International Horse Park, but with a different equine partner, Balouttinue.
The course designer was Alan Wade, who, in October, was appointed as the Jumping Course Designer for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
MLSJ wraps up the season next week at the Desert International Horse Park, returning in April 2026 in Kentucky.
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