Release date: 08/05/2011 |    

Popular US rider Laura Kraut is optimistic about the GCT season ahead as she has a new horse to compliment the talent of her hugely successful grey gelding Cedric.

Speaking in Valencia on the second leg of the GCT 2011 Laura said: “I am really fortunate to have a new horse that will help Cedric so I’m looking forward to the year ahead and doing the Global Champions Tour.”

Laura, an Olympic gold medallist in 2008, spent the winter in Florida where she lives and bought her horses to Europe about a month ago for the season ahead.

She bought Cedric and Dona Evita to Valencia and said: “I’ve been here several times in Valencia and it’s great, really wonderful. GCT has really raised the standard and shaken up show jumping a bit.

“Now it’s a new goal as a rider to stay in the top 30 to get to these shows. It is the best of the best.”

On the opening day of the Valencia leg, Laura and bay mare Dona Evita finished sixth in the 1.45 m CSI5*.

And she finished fourth in the Grand Prix in Valencia on Cedric only just missing out on a podium place.