Top Rider Spotlight: Roadrunners

With a first MLSJ 5* Grand Prix win secured at Leg 6, Laura Kraut remains a force at the top level.

Published

04 FEB 2026

Est. reading time

2 min

Laura Kraut is no stranger to the sport’s highest level.

Currently ranked World No. 12, Kraut brings a résumé that includes four Olympic appearances and three medals, underscoring her ability to perform on the biggest stages. A cornerstone of the Desert International Horse Park Roadrunners, Kraut made her Season 5 debut at Leg 5 in Tryon, competing in the 5* Team Competition aboard her Pan American gold-medal partner Dorado 212 to help the Roadrunners advance to Round 2.

She returned to California for Legs 6 and 7 where her form only sharpened.

At the Coachella Cup, Kraut captured her third 5* Grand Prix victory of 2025 and her first MLSJ 5* Grand Prix, edging fellow Roadrunner Mclain Ward by just 0.03 seconds in a razor-thin jump-off. At Leg 7, she continued the momentum by opening the week with a podium finish in the 5* Qualifier aboard Kaylee, marking their first FEI podium together.

Kraut’s Season 5 appearances may have been limited, but their impact has been undeniable. With elite results across both individual and team competition, she remains a driving force as the Roadrunners push toward the top of the standings.

Laura Kraut | Fast Facts

- $8M+ in Lifetime Earnings - Three time Olympic Medalist (2008 Gold, 2020 Silver & 2024 Silver) - 40% Clear Round Rate at 1.60m - Competed 11 horses at FEI level in 2025 - Winner of 3 5* Grand Prixs in 2025 (Dublin, Washington & MLSJ Coachella Cup) - 115 Lifetime FEI Wins