Horses in Focus: Cedric

Today the Global Champions Tour launches the first in a series featuring some of the star horses on the GCT circuit.

The equine athletes that make Global Champions Tour competitions so special. They are the exceptional show jumping horses that create such dynamic, nail biting contests at each Grand Prix through the season. Many of these champion horses are famous around the world with fan clubs in different nations. So here is a fresh and often humorous insight from the perspective of the horses – with a little help from their riders of course!

First to go is Laura Kraut’s hugely popular grey gelding Cedric. At just 15.2 hands and at the age of 15 years, Cedric puts in amazing, fast performances, winning the GCT Grand Prix in September 2012 at the Tour’s first ever event in Lausanne, Switzerland and placing 4th in the Grand Prix at GCT Chantilly last summer. Among numerous successes as a combination, Laura won US team gold with Cedric at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and continues to impress with great agility and pace in jump offs. The little Holsteiner grey by Chambertin and Carolus Z attracts enthusiastic support from crowds, always makes a great effort in the arena and has a deceptively fast stride.

– What was the favourite GCT venue of 2012 and why?

Lausanne because I won there but also because I loved standing in the lake there.

– Do you like jumping in the day or evening best, hot or cold climate?

I like the evening because there are lots of people there to watch me and see how good I am.

– Do you train a lot and how do you prepare for competition?

No, not too much. I just try to stay fit but sometimes Laura likes to practice on me, which is fine, but I also like galloping around my paddock which keeps me fit.

– What’s your favourite food?

Everything that everybody loves to eat. Im not too fussy.

– Where’s your favourite place to exercise and run?

My paddock , then I’m free and I can do what I want.

– What are your ambitions for 2013 with your rider Laura Kraut?

To go to Lausanne again and win many Grand Prix.

– What are your likes and dislikes?

I like Itot and Ninja because we are all about the same size and we can watch each other to see how the course is riding. I also love going in my paddock. I love winning and I’m a born traveller, I love to see the world.
I don’t like my girth being pulled tight!