Lexington, KY – The field narrows yet again, as Laura Kraut edges her way to the top of the standings in the East Coast League. Adding more fuel to an already fiery 2005 season, Kraut, a native of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, jumped her way to a first place finish at the $75,000 Cosequin Florida Open in Wellington, March 6. The double clear round atop Miss Independent put Kraut two points ahead of McLain Ward in the standings, previously the top ranked rider on the leader board. The victory in Wellington also means 20 world cup qualifying points for Kraut, adding a net 13 points for a grand total of 94. (Only the top six qualifying scores count towards a rider’s League ranking. Thus, if a rider competed in all 12 East Coast qualifiers, only the top six scores would count toward that rider’s ranking. Essentially, every time a rider brings in a score that surpasses one of the original six, their lowest score is wiped away.)

This particular World Cup qualifier was arguably one of the most challenging yet, with nearly 50 riders vying for a top-tier finish. Almost 40% of those competing were from outside of the United States—a sure sign that show jumpers are gearing up for this weekend’s hot-ticket competition—the Nation’s Cup competition at CSIO Wellington, March 9-13. United States riders secured the top three finishes at the Wellington Open though, with Wellington’s own Anne Kursinski finishing her double clear round just behind Laura Kraut, and Cayce Harrison of Burr Ridge, Illinois, bringing in third place with four faults on the jump-off.

Two qualifiers remain for the East Coast League: the Tampa Bay Classic on March 27 and the Tournament of Champions on March 30. After the qualifiers are complete, the top seven competitors and one wild card rider from the East Coast League will be selected to represent the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). To date, the top seven ranked riders are as follows: Laura Kraut – 94 points, McLain Ward – 92, Kimberly Frey – 81, Lauren Hough – 74, Candice King – 71, Schuyler Riley – 65, and Anne Kursinski – 62. Tying for the eighth ranking are Georgina Bloomberg and Beezie Madden, with 59 points.

The riders who make the final cut from the East Coast will join the top three competitors and one wild card rider from the West Coast League in a ride for the title of 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final Champion in Las Vegas, April 20-24. For the latest in the East and West Coast League leader boards, log onto www.usef.org, click on High Performance, and then Show Jumping. Rankings are updated regularly under the World Cup header.