October 27, 2025 
When a jump off features eight proven five-star winners, five of them Olympians, you need a little luck on your side—and/or your horse to sprout wings.
Laura Kraut and 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding Tres Bien Z (Toulon x Nabab de Reve) did just that in the first North American League qualifier of the World Cup season on Saturday.
The first pair to go double clear in the FEI Jumping World Cup Washington CSI5*-W, they set the time to beat at 40.83 seconds with a daring track and calculated risk.
“I didn’t think that seven strides was possible from fences two to three, but Lillie Keenan did it right before I went, so I thought, ‘I’ll see how I jump fence two and give it a go.’ He grew wings to do that because it was very far away, and I can’t believe he did it,” said Kraut.
“Then, I just went as quick as I could go with him. He’s a handy horse. It was one of the reasons why I thought it would be good to bring him indoors, and he just tries really hard.”
Previously campaigned by Great Britain’s Tim Gredley up to 1.45m, Kraut took over the reins on Tres Bien Z in winter 2024. The pair made their 1.60m debut in January 2025 and have jumped clear and into the top 10 in four of their six starts at the height.
Saturday’s World Cup marks their first Grand Prix win and Kraut’s ninth 1.60m+ podium finish this year.
At 59, the world no. 8 is having one of her best seasons in recent history. She’s earned $1.5 million USD in prize money to date in 2025, nearly as much as her three prior seasons combined.
Tres bien, Laura Kraut. Tres bien.
