American Equestrian Contributes to Team Victory in Longines League of Nations
60-year-old rider reflects on career and life in the Netherlands
March 26, 2025 at 11:51 AMBy b.wehner

Last weekend, an American rider Laura Kraut played a key role in the American team's victory at the Longines League of Nations in Ocala. She has a long-standing commitment to her country, having also competed in Rotterdam over the years. Currently, she resides in the Netherlands for much of the year, a decision influenced by logistical challenges related to Brexit. The rider shared her enjoyment of the horse-oriented lifestyle in the Netherlands.
Kraut's History
She has a decorated competitive history, having participated in the Olympic Summer Games three times: 2000, 2008, and 2021. Notably, she won a gold medal in the team event at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong and secured a silver medal with the United States team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006. Most recently, at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she and her team won another silver medal, narrowly missing gold due to a close finish with Sweden.
Looking to the Future
In her conversation, she highlighted her role as a mother and grandmother, expressing a strong interest in family life. With a 25-year-old son and two grandchildren, she cherishes the time spent with them. When not competing, she enjoys discovering new parts of Rotterdam and dining out. She remains optimistic about her future in competitive equestrian sports, aspiring to win more Grand Prix events, specifically in Rotterdam, and continues to embrace her passion despite the challenges of age. She looks forward to participating in the Longines League of Nations and expresses a commitment to returning each year.
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