Gladstone, NJ-September 8, 2001-The U.S. winning streak continued at the Spruce Meadows Masters (CSIO Spruce Meadows) Friday, as U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Sydney Olympic veteran Laura Kraut won the $75,000 (Canadian) "Flight to the Finish" grand prix on Anthem.

Kraut, of Oconomowac, WI, went early in a 10-horse jump-off, and was too nervous to watch the rest of the class after setting a mark of 40.684 seconds with a clear round.

"I wasn't confident at all. I just went as fast as I possibly could and figured that if I were lucky, I would jump a double-clear and maybe end up in the top three," said a thrilled Kraut. Her biggest opposition turned out to be four-time Belgian national champion Ludo Philippaerts with Verelst Otterongo. He finished in 41.243 seconds.

"I started off too slow," he admitted.

The other American in the tie-breaker, Schuyler Riley of Wellington, FL, was sixth on Ilian with a clean round in 44.407 seconds.

In other classes Friday at the show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Rich Fellers of Wilsonville, OR, took two blue ribbons. He won the Weyerhauser Cup with Andy, beating himself on another mount, Inishmor. He also was first with McGuinness in the Atco Noise Management Cup. The show continues Saturday with the Bank of Montreal Nations' Cup, being contested by teams from seven countries.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.