Laura Kraut’s 17-year-old gelding Confu (Contact Me x Cambridge 8) will be retired from the sport, the American rider has announced. Kraut and the adorable grey gelding did their last international appearance at CSI4* Jumping Indoor Maastricht in November.

With Kraut in the saddle, Confu has had a tremendous career. In 2016, during their first months together, the two won the CSIO5* 1.50m Stawag Prize at CHIO Aachen, while in 2020 they topped the CSI4* 1.60m Spy Coast Farm Holiday II Grand Prix in Wellington and in 2022 the CSI4* 1.60m Horseware Ireland Grand Prix at the same venue. Furthermore, Confu and Kraut have numerous podium-finishes all the way up to five-star Grand Prix level to look back at, and for years they were also trusted members of the U.S. showjumping team.

Announcing the retirement in social media, Kraut wrote:

“It is through happy tears that I write of the retirement of my partner of the past nine years, Confu (Rocket). He has been a loyal friend and competitor, always accepting any challenge that was put in front of him. He jumped double clear in every Nations Cup he competed in for the United States, and won many classes around the world. We used to joke that he was always up for anything we asked of him, he was that kid in the schoolroom that raised his hand up to volunteer! After such a long career it is hard to think of him not being in the stable to greet us each day, but there is no horse that deserves the life of leisure as much as he does. I’m proud to say that he is as sound as a young man and will love the beautiful rolling fields at his home in Virginia.”

“A special thank you to St. Brides Farm, Barb and David Roux, for allowing me to have such a special animal. I know that you both will enjoy having him at home and he will be treated like the celebrity that he is!  The list of “his people” is extensive but I will do my best to list you all, as you all played such an important role in his career. Emile Hendrix, thank you for finding him for me, I knew when I walked into the stable that day and saw him standing in the cross ties that he was coming home with me! Mary Elizabeth, my sister, for treating him like her son and helping to keep him in perfect condition. Margo Thomas, Alex Tyler-Morris, Dale Hailstones and Johanna Burtshoff for being the best caretakers a horse could ever ask for. Christiana Ober for being his vet and keeping him young, as well as Edwin Enzerink and Melissa Welker. Paul Bocken, Arnie Gervais, and Ian “Spud” Allison for the beautiful job you all did with his shoeing. Steve Engle, for your chiropractic work, even though he wasn’t a huge fan. Along with many other physios, Janus Marquis, Wolfie Mayrhofer, etc. . Julie Welles for helping me keep him fit while I was away, along with all of the rest of the riders at home who would jump at the chance to get to ride him! Thank you for everything Rocket, you are my hero and I cannot wait to come for a visit and see you with the big belly you always wanted!”

At World of Showjumping, we wish Confu a very happy retirement!