What a remarkable group! The legends who gathered for the annual Show Jumping Hall of Fame dinner in Wellington, Fla., over the weekend have an incredible list of glittering achievements in the sport.
The Hall at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Wheeler Museum honors these stars, both human and equine, with more deserving giants of the discipline added every year.
This time it was the turn of Olympic team gold medalist Laura Kraut, who is still going strong at age 57 and competed in the Nations Cup the night before the dinner.
Laura Kraut and Baloutinue. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Buddy Brown’s versatile ride, the late Sandsablaze, was also inducted. A champion equitation horse and hunter before becoming an Olympic show jumper, this thoroughbred showed the ability and mettle of his breed–all too often overlooked today as warmbloods dominate the sport.
Sandsablaze and Buddy Brown (Hall of Fame photo)
Also honored at the dinner was Mario Deslauriers, a former U.S. team member who now rides for Canada. He received the International Award. Pancho Lopez, a great groom and manager who taught many others to excel in those professions, was a member of the 2023 Show Jumping Hall of Fame class. He wasn’t able to attend last year, so he accepted the honor at the dinner for the class of 2024.
Hall of fame members gather for a photo after last weekend’s installation dinner. (Hall of Fame photo)