Kraut Kickstarts New Partnership, Capping Off Stellar Week with Victory in the $137,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3*

Wellington, FL –  On the final day of ESP Spring II, a new partnership continued to blossom as Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue, owned by St. Bride’s Farm, took top prize in the Sunday afternoon (18th April) feature class, winning the $137,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3* on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village.
The 2021 ESP Spring Series features a total of five weeks of competition until Sunday, May 15, and will roll on with the Spring III three-star competition beginning on Wednesday, April 21.
A total of 44 horse-and-rider combinations set out over the opening-round track designed by Catsy Cruz (MEX) and Andy Christiansen (ECU) that featured 16 jumping efforts. The field was narrowed down to just 11 pairs qualifying to return for the jump-off over a shortened track. Sharn Wordley (NZL) was the trailblazer as the first to return aboard Verdini D’Houtveld Z, owned by Lauren Balcomb, posting a double-clear effort and the time to beat of 41.90 seconds. His time in the lead was short but sweet as the next entry moved up to the top of the leaderboard as Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) rode Chacna, the horse he co-owns with Alice Lawaetz, to a clear round in a quicker time of 40.05 seconds.
The lead changes continued from there as Paris Sellon (USA) produced a clear round aboard Anna Jo, owned by Willow Grace Farm, in 40.95 seconds, but it was Olympic champion Laura Kraut riding Baloutinue to answer all the questions asked in the quickest time of the day. The Olympic team gold-medalist guided her new mount, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Landor S, across the finish line with a double-clear effort in an impressive 40 seconds flat.
It was a great way to end the first week of their partnership together as Kraut and the talented gelding also finished fourth in the $37,000 JTWG Qualifier CSI3* on Friday.
“I’m just absolutely thrilled,” exclaimed Kraut. “What I always loved about him is that he reminds me of a Thoroughbred. He’s got a lot of blood, he is brave, scopey, and has all the best qualities that a Thoroughbred has. He’s just a fast horse. That’s the Thoroughbred type of quality because I didn’t ride a fast round. I did more strides than other people, but he’s just that quick. He lands and he gets away from the jump very, very fast, so I think that was where I got the edge.”
Fellow Olympic team gold medallist Beezie Madden (USA) came closest with her veteran partner Breitling LS, owned by Abigail Wexner. Madden and the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Quintero x Accord II made easy work of the jump-off track, stopping the timers just off the mark in 40.27 seconds.
“He’s fast and careful,” said Madden of the horse she won the FEI World Cup Finals on in 2018. “Usually if he goes well the first round, he’s going to be good the second round, as well. He gets better and better as he goes, so that’s always good, especially in the heat here. I know him so well that I know how to go fast with him, and he knows my moves. I was really happy with how he went, and he had a nice end to his circuit here.”
Madden also went on to credit Equestrian Sport Productions for the opportunity to jump at the FEI level during the ESP Spring Series, as well as the luxury of competing on the pristine turf track.
“I think it’s really nice to go out on the grass,” she said. “Some of the horses didn’t do as much as others during the circuit so some horses are maybe just starting to step up now. There were a lot of great horse-and-rider combinations, so I think it’s really nice to have the extra shows this time of year.”
In the end, Sellon and her 12-year-old Oldenburg mare by Acodetto 2 x For Pleasure would finish the day in third place, rounding out an all-American and all-female podium.

Final Results: $137,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3*
1. BALOUTINUE: 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Landor S
LAURA KRAUT (USA), St. Bride’s Farm: 0/0/40.00
2. BREITLING LS: 2006 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Quintero x Accord II
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/40.27
3. ANNA JO: 2009 Oldenburg mare by Acodetto 2 x For Pleasure
PARIS SELLON (USA), Willow Grace Farm: 0/0/40.95
4. CHACNA: 2007 Hanoverian mare by Chacco-Blue x Narew XX
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ (MEX), Enrique Gonzalez: 0/0/41.05
5. VERDINI D’HOUTVELD Z: 2011 KWPN gelding by VDL Groep Verdi TN x Caretino 2
SHARN WORDLEY (NZL), Lauren Balcomb: 0/0/41.90
6. DSARIE: 2008 KWPN mare by Veron x Ahorn
BEAT MÄNDLI (SUI), Grand Road Partners LLC: 0/0/42.53
7. JACK VAN’T KATTENHEYE: 2009 Belgian Warmblood by Diabeau x Canadian River
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses: 0/4/39.02
8. EASY GIRL: 2011 Oldenburg mare by Conthargos x Nintender
RODRIGO LAMBRE (BRA), Mario Onate: 0/4/43.53
9. DARRY LOU: 2008 KWPN stallion by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Nabab de Reve
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables, LLC: 0/4/44.24
10. SKARA GLEN’S CHANCELLORESS: 2009 KWPN mare by Chacco Blue x Balou du Rouet
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Skara Glen Stables: 0/4/51.14
11. ARMIK: 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Armitage x Justinian xx
CAPT. BRIAN COURNANE (IRL), Brian Cournane and M/M Bob Stiller: 0/8/40.98
12. TULARA COLMINE: 2010 Warmblood stallion by Colman x Quinar
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), Gotham Enterprizes, LLC: 1/77.59

Source: Press release ESP Spring Series II
Photo: © Sportfot
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