Showjumper Laura Kraut has paid an emotional tribute to her great associate of the previous 9 years, the tremendous gray Confu. She introduced the 17-year-old gelding’s retirement “by way of blissful tears”.
The pair have been core to USA groups in Nations Cups, together with on the Barcelona last in 2017, in addition to successful four-star grands prix in Wellington, Florida, and one of many duo’s earliest five-star achievements was claiming victory within the Aachen velocity stakes in 2016.
“He has been a loyal good friend and competitor, at all times accepting any problem that was put in entrance of him,” mentioned Laura of the German-bred son of Contact Me, recognized at residence as Rocket.
The Holsteiner gelding was bred by Kai Gerken and was produced by French rider Fabrice Schmidt earlier than Laura first took the reins on the finish of 2015.
“He jumped double clear in each Nations Cup he competed in for the USA, and gained many courses around the globe,” mentioned Laura. “We used to joke that he was at all times up for something we requested of him, he was that child within the schoolroom that raised his hand to volunteer!”
On the finish of 2021, Confu suffered from a severe virus and his future had been unclear. It made his successful return to the winner’s enclosure in 2022 as “an emotional one”. Laura mentioned on the time, “The win tonight means all the pieces. Just a few months in the past, we had been crying as a result of we weren’t certain he was going to make it.”
Laura Kraut and St Bride’s Farm’s Confu compete within the King George V Gold Cup on the Royal Worldwide in 2019.
Laura Kraut on Confu: “No horse deserves the lifetime of leisure as a lot as him”
This week, Laura paid a particular thanks to his house owners Barb and David Roux of St Bride’s Farm “for permitting me to have such a particular animal”. Confu will now take pleasure in his retirement along with his house owners in Virginia, USA.
“I do know that you just each will take pleasure in having him at residence and he shall be handled just like the superstar that he’s!” mentioned Laura, admitting that it will be arduous not to consider Confu being within the secure “to greet us every day”.
“I’m proud to say that he’s as sound as a younger man and can love the gorgeous rolling fields at his residence in Virginia.”
Folks would soar on the probability to journey secure star Confu
Laura Kraut additionally thanked the “in depth” record of people that have performed an element in Confu’s phenomenal success over time.
“Emile Hendrix, thanks for locating him for me, I knew after I walked into the secure that day and noticed him standing within the cross-ties that he was coming residence with me,” she mentioned.
“Mary Elizabeth, my sister, for treating him like her son and serving to to maintain him in good situation. Margo Thomas, Alex Tyler-Morris, Dale Hailstones and Johanna Burtshoff for being the very best caretakers a horse may ever ask for. Christiana Ober for being his vet and retaining him younger, in addition to Edwin Enzerink and Melissa Welker.
Laura Kraut of USA completes a transparent spherical over the ultimate impediment on Confu to safe victory for her nation within the FEI Nations Cup in the course of the Dublin Worldwide Horse Present at RDS, Ballsbridge in Dublin. (Picture By Cody Glenn/Sportsfile by way of Getty Photos).
Laura Kraut: “Thanks for all the pieces Rocket, you’re my hero”
Laura continued: “Paul Bocken, Arnie Gervais, and Ian ‘Spud’ Allison for the gorgeous job you all did along with his shoeing. Steve Engle, on your chiropractic work, although he wasn’t an enormous fan. Together with many different physios, Janus Marquis, Wolfie Mayrhofer, and many others.
“Julie Welles for serving to me maintain him match whereas I used to be away, together with the entire remainder of the riders at residence who would soar on the probability to get to journey him!”
Laura summed up by saying, “Thanks for all the pieces Rocket, you’re my hero and I can’t wait to return for a go to and see you with the massive stomach you at all times wished!”
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Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei win the Rolex Grand Prix of Royal Windsor Horse Present.
Credit score: Peter Nixon / RWHS
Laura Kraut celebrating her spherical with Confu
Credit score: Sportfot
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
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H&H showjumping editor
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the globe reporting from exhibits and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to secure administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian trade as a using teacher and yard supervisor.
