PSJ Quarterly Progress Report

January - March 2009 Progress Report

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Golden Memories: A Proud Parent's Perspective

Get Acquainted With Aiken

For more than a decade, Laura Kraut has represented the United States internationally in World Cup Finals, Olympic Games and winning Nation’s Cup teams. Recently she and her equine partner Cedric won the Olympic Trials in Wellington, Florida and went on to win the Show Jumping Team Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympics. Additionally, Kraut and Miss Independent clinched the top prize at Geneva’s Credit Suisse Grand Prix in mid December and a week later at the Olympia Horse Show in London. Other notable wins include her long-time grand prix horse Anthem capturing the 2008 Charlotte Jumper Classic’s $500,000 Grand Prix.  In 2006 Kraut was a member of the silver medal team at the World Equestrian Games, and in 2007 she and Miss Independent were part of the Samsung Super League silver medal-winning team. Kraut was a member of the historic all-woman Olympic show jumping squad at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the highest placed American at the 2003 World Cup Final as well as the recipient of the prestigious Jack Kelly Fair Play Award. Kraut has led the victory gallop at the world’s most competitive grand prix in Europe, Canada and the United States.   Now stop and ask yourself, “What an incredibly talented rider and what amazing experience!  Her family is undoubtedly so proud.  I wonder how Laura got to where she is today?”

Recently I had the pleasure of spending some time reminiscing with Laura’s mom, Carol Kent, who also shares the passion for equestrian sports.  “I grew up with a love for horses and actually started riding gaited horses,” she began.  “I did not switch to hunters until I was in my 20s.   When I was growing up, there were not horse shows on every weekend, so my showing was limited to small shows in Charlotte and Atlanta.”  Kent agrees that showing horses is filled with “life lessons” that are learned both as a child and as an adult.  “It was my responsibility to take care of my horses.  I am sure that if I could have, I would have loved to have had a groom.  However, my horses knew me.  I like to think that they performed for me and not just for the treats that I typically had for them,” she chuckled.

When both Laura and her younger sister Mary Elizabeth were born, there was no doubt in their mother’s mind that they too would share her love for horses.  “I always smile a bit when I hear a mother teaching her child,” she beamed.  “You (Sally) and your brother, the Horner girls, my girls, and I could go on and on.  A mom can take a child up to the level that he/she is capable of and then send them to a professional to take them to the top.”   Laura and Mary Elizabeth sat on the backs of ponies when they were around 3 respectively and were lead around bareback and in lead line classes.    “At age 4, Laura was on the longeline where she learned to do the exercises and balance.  Some of my fondest memories were when Lawrence (late husband and girls’ father), the girls and I traveled to shows out of town by ourselves.”

During the 1970s, the Kents and their friends showed some of the nation’s leading ponies in the Southeast.  Needless to say, the horse show environment was quite different back then affirms Carol.  “I remember the shows at Harmon Field in Tryon when you girls with top ponies, at the end of the show day would take them swimming in the creek behind the barns in your bathing suits!    Now can you just imagine doing something like that in today’s show world?!” she mused.  “You girls had so much fun!”   While there was always a degree of fun in showing, there was an equal amount of hard work and commitment involved.   According to Carol, Laura was “discovered” by Kathy Paxton and Ann Keenan in Atlanta when she was 12.  “They took both my girls and put them on great ponies and horses until they were out of juniors,” she added.   Laura then moved to Camden, SC and began her career on jumpers with Rodney Bross.  Upon going out on her own, Judy Helder and Geoff Sutton provided Laura with grand prix horses where she launched her own business.  

Becoming one of the world’s leading grand prix riders did not happen without sacrifice for the Kent family.   “There were no cheerleading or no extracurricular school activities for the girls,” commented Carol.  “It was to the barn each and every day…and I mean every day.  The positive result, however, is the fact that they both became riders.”  Laura is now also Mom which adds a dimension to balancing her career and the time that she is able to spend with her family.   Her son Bobby is now 8 and many speculate on whether he will follow in his family’s hoof steps…so to speak.   When I asked Carol about her daughter’s life balancing act, she simply replied, “If you know Bobby, that question is easily answered.  He is so happy and certainly has a life outside of the horse shows.”  She did share some pictures of Bobby on his pony with me.  We both agreed that he naturally has the seat and leg position…time will tell I suppose.  “When Laura is on the road they speak every morning and every night,” offered Carol.  “I even get Bobby withdrawal when I haven’t been with him for a good length of time.” 

While pressure can be a relative state of mind, parents do whatever they can to support their children through both the good times and the bad.  Carol recalls that probably the most challenging times for Laura were during the Olympic Trials.  “We have been through many and were fortunate enough to get to three, i.e. Barcelona, Sydney and Hong Kong.  Laura knows that I support her and the best thing for me to do when the pressure is on is to keep quiet.   She knows I’m there for her.”    Laura’s ability to stay focused under fire has enabled her to master accomplishments that are superior by any standard, but her Mom’s perspective brings it back home…literally.  “Needless to say, the Team Gold this past year was the ultimate goal for every grand prix rider,” asserts Carol.  “From my point of view some of the most heart felt times are when Laura has won a class in Europe and they play the National Anthem.  It really gets to you and makes you so proud to be from America.”

While Laura’s career may seem surreal to many, it is important to remember she learned to love both horses and the sport through her Mom’s knowledge, commitment and passion.  “Horse show parents need to realize that they must never, ever feel that they cannot afford this sport,” affirmed Carol.  “There are horse shows for every size pocketbook.  Please understand, if your child has talent and works hard, he or she will make it.”

Carol admits that her life has had its ups and downs as does everyone’s.  “I can only say that I cannot imagine living without horses playing a major role in my life.  I am so lucky to able to continue to live my love for horses through Laura and Mary Elizabeth.”
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For those of you wanting to take more than a casual glimpse at Aiken, South Carolina, you’re encouraged to read further.  Experience this Southern town with its beautiful parkways and shaded streets, its double avenues and historic mansions. Enjoy a bit of folklore, stroll through assorted antique shops and savor some of the local cuisine. In addition to being considered a “horse town,” Aiken possesses a unique charm and heritage all its own.

The South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company was established in 1828. William Aiken, president of the Railroad Company and one of South Carolina’s leading cotton merchants, hired Horatio Allen, a distinguished engineer who later built the Brooklyn Bridge, to build a railroad from Charleston to Hamburg, South Carolina, a site on the Savannah River. Work began in 1830 and on October 2, 1883, the first train arrived in the newly established town of Aiken, named in honor of the first railroad president. In 1834, engineers Alfred Dexter and C. O. Pascalis laid out the town with its wide streets and parkways, and Aiken was chartered in 1835. Aiken attracted many visitors, particularly wealthy Charlestonians who spent their summers at the "place of retreat from the heat and malaria of unhealthier regions." In 1865, as the War Between the States neared a conclusion, Confederate General Joseph Wheeler took his position in the town of Aiken to oppose Sherman’s raid and put an end to the Union advance westward. It was one of Sherman’s rare defeats along the way.

Aiken recovered quickly from the War and in 1870 began to attract wealthy Northerners, who were lured to the area by the opportunities for equestrian sports, thus establishing Aiken’s celebrated “Winter Colony.” They were attracted by the temperate climate, but soon found that the freeze-free sandy soil was perfect for conditioning their horses. Aiken’s first polo match was played in 1882 and polo continues to be a much-loved tradition with at least 8 clubs and over 40 fields. There are 5 fox-hunting clubs which utilize much of the notorious Hitchcock Woods, a 2,000 acre preserve which was established by Thomas Hitchcock and the Whitneys for public use.  Located practically in the middle of town, it remains the largest urban forest in the United States. With over 65 miles of sandy trails threading the expansive preserve, walkers, riders and carriages are welcome at all times, but motorized vehicles are only allowed during the Memorial Horse Show which was founded in 1916 and for the annual fund raiser at the Tea Cottage.   For those who come to event, there are five event facilities with regular competitions and an annual Advanced Level Combined Driving Event.  For others who are coming to drive their carriages, the Aiken Driving Club holds numerous outings.   

Aiken is also known for its Thoroughbred racehorse training program.  The Aiken Training Track was established in 1941. This mile track has a base of red clay with a sandy loam cushion and excellent drainage. Nearby there is a 5/8ths sand track, grass fields and miles of wooded trails for relaxation. The serene environment is ideal for young horses that are just beginning their education as well as the more seasoned runners who need to take some time to “unplug.”  With around 38 champions being developed in the area thus far, it seems that Aiken has indeed the right ingredients to foster a prosperous racing program.   In March, Aiken hosts its own Triple Crown. Starting with the Aiken Trials, a series of flat races held at the Training Track, the competition continues the next weekend with the Aiken Steeplechase. On the third, and final, weekend of the series, there are polo games.

Now let’s turn our focus on horse shows.  With the newer facility, Highfields, owned by Rick and Cathy Cram, on hand, many show management companies of all levels are taking advantage of this state of the art multi-discipline venue.  The Aiken StandardNewspaper has coined Rick and Cathy in the Top 25 People to Watch in 2009.  “Why they're on the list: The equestrian facility is becoming a year-round venue and destination.  What we're watching for: Can the Crams continue to attract high-level shows on a consistent basis in a beleaguered economy?”

The Aiken Chamber of Commerce just released a study focusing on the “Equestrian Community and Its Economic Impact on Aiken County.”  The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the Aiken County economy and to determine an economic impact of its equestrian industry. In order to better understand the local economy, the study provided a broad overview of the Aiken County economy as well the specific industrial structure analysis.   The study indicated that the equine industry in Aiken County is a growing one and it continues to consist of many different activities and events such as polo, horse racing, horse showing, carriage driving, and fox hunting, to name a few.    A few of the key findings included:

• An annual cost per horse in Aiken County tops $7,393.00, which amounts to $50.163 million in total spending produced by the equestrian sector.

• The Aiken Equestrian Industry accounts for 1,329 full-time workers. There are an additional 283 jobs due to indirect effects and 202 jobs due to induced effects of the equestrian industry. In total, 1,814 jobs Aiken County can be attributed to the operations of the equestrian industry.

• The estimated total equine inventory in Aiken County tops 6,785 horses.

• The average equine value for all breeds is $5,002.00 and the total estimated equine value is $59,086,223.

In summary, the equestrian industry of Aiken provides many economic and cultural benefits to the approximately 25,000 people who live there.  It presents itself in a variety of ways through which business development can evolve to attract veterinarians, farriers, training and boarding facilities, etc. that are directly related to the horse industry .  Besides the economic benefits and contributions, the equine industry is very influential as it impacts Aiken’s social, cultural, and financial environments.   Nurturing the equestrian industry of Aiken should be the long-term goal to ensure the area’s sustained viability.
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