Laura Kraut Stands Alone: The Only Woman in the Longines FEI Top 10

In a sport defined by precision, power, and decades of dedication, Laura Kraut continues to rewrite what is possible. As the only woman currently ranked inside the Longines FEI Jumping World Rankings Top 10, Kraut stands as a singular force at the very top of international show jumping — and she is doing it at an age when most athletes have long stepped away from elite competition.

Kraut’s presence in the Top 10 is not just symbolic. It is the result of consistent podium finishes, championship-level performances, and a career that has evolved across generations of competition. Against a field dominated by the world’s strongest male riders, she continues to prove that experience, strategy, and partnership can rival raw power and youth.

An Empowering History

Her historic Olympic success only deepens that legacy. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, held in 2021, Kraut captured a silver medal for Team USA at age 55 — becoming the oldest U.S. female athlete to medal at the Olympics in more than a century. It was a moment that resonated far beyond the equestrian world, signaling that longevity at the highest level is not only possible, but attainable with the right combination of discipline and passion.

Three years later, she raised that standard yet again. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Kraut earned another silver medal with the U.S. team at age 58. With that performance, she became the oldest American athlete to medal in 72 years — surpassing her own historic Tokyo milestone and cementing her position as one of the most enduring competitors in modern Olympic sport.

Her momentum did not slow after Paris. Less than one month after celebrating her 60th birthday, Kraut delivered yet another defining victory — topping the $750,000 Coachella Cup Grand Prix CSI5* aboard Bisquetta. Against one of the strongest five-star fields of the year, Kraut’s precision and composure once again set her apart, proving that her competitive edge is sharper than ever.

In an era where rankings shift rapidly and careers often peak early, Laura Kraut continues to stand as a rare constant — resilient, relentless, and unrivaled among women at the very top of the sport. As the only female rider inside the Longines FEI Top 10, she doesn’t just represent success at the elite level — she represents what sustained excellence truly looks like.

Photo by Stefan Lafrentz