Charles Owen Meets ...

Olympic gold medallist Laura Kraut is one of the biggest names in US showjumping, having ridden for her country for more than two decades and achieved more than 100 grand prix wins.

Laura won team gold in Beijing in 2008, team gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA and team silver at the World Equestrian Games at Aachen in 2006. She has also competed in eight World Cup Finals and on several Nation’s Cup teams.

Her most famous horse was the quirky, but talented Cedric, who few other riders could conquer. However, Laura formed a very special bond with the horse, who is now happily retired.

Laura divides her time between the USA and her home in the UK, which she shares with her partner and fellow Olympic gold medallist, Nick Skelton.

We caught up with Laura at a competition to chat to her about her horses, her life and her hard-working attitude.

The 54-year-old is still at the top of her game and in this interview she speaks frankly about how the love of her horses and her sport keeps her motivated.

Laura also speaks about:

· How her Charles Owen helmet saved her life when she fell off in a competition and the horse trampled on her head.

· How hard she had to work to make it to the top – working as a groom and earning $10 for every mane she plaited.

· Being selected for the Olympics as an unknown rider when she was 26 years old, and leaving the USA for the very first time.

· Meeting her equestrian idols – and how they inspired her to take up showjumping as a career.

· What made her Olympic gold medal-winning partner Cedric so special.

· The amazing experience of winning gold at the World Equestrian Games in 2018 on home turf.

· How showjumping has changed over the years.

· How she got together with her partner of 14 years, Nick Skelton.

· What makes Nick such an incredible horseman and the positive influence he has had on her riding.

· How she has stayed at the top of her sport for so long – and the importance of a positive mental attitude.

We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we enjoyed making it.

To find out more about the helmets Laura loves – visit www.charlesowen.com

Olympic gold medallist Laura Kraut is one of the biggest names in US showjumping, having ridden for her country for more than two decades and achieved more than 100 grand prix wins.

Laura won team gold in Beijing in 2008, team gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA and team silver at the World Equestrian Games at Aachen in 2006. She has also competed in eight World Cup Finals and on several Nation’s Cup teams.

Her most famous horse was the quirky, but talented Cedric, who few other riders could conquer. However, Laura formed a very special bond with the horse, who is now happily retired.

Laura divides her time between the USA and her home in the UK, which she shares with her partner and fellow Olympic gold medallist, Nick Skelton.

We caught up with Laura at a competition to chat to her about her horses, her life and her hard-working attitude.

The 54-year-old is still at the top of her game and in this interview she speaks frankly about how the love of her horses and her sport keeps her motivated.

Laura also speaks about:

· How her Charles Owen helmet saved her life when she fell off in a competition and the horse trampled on her head.

· How hard she had to work to make it to the top – working as a groom and earning $10 for every mane she plaited.

· Being selected for the Olympics as an unknown rider when she was 26 years old, and leaving the USA for the very first time.

· Meeting her equestrian idols – and how they inspired her to take up showjumping as a career.

· What made her Olympic gold medal-winning partner Cedric so special.

· The amazing experience of winning gold at the World Equestrian Games in 2018 on home turf.

· How showjumping has changed over the years.

· How she got together with her partner of 14 years, Nick Skelton.

· What makes Nick such an incredible horseman and the positive influence he has had on her riding.

· How she has stayed at the top of her sport for so long – and the importance of a positive mental attitude.

We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we enjoyed making it.

To find out more about the helmets Laura loves – visit https://www.charlesowen.com/.

In this exclusive interview eventer Harry Meade talks frankly about his career, his family and the love of his sport.

Harry is one of Britain’s leading event riders. He was a member of the silver medal-winning team at the 2014 World Championships and earlier that year came third at Badminton Horse Trials. He has completed a total of 16 four star events and came sixth at Burghley in 2018.

Eventing is in Harry’s blood as his late father, Richard Meade, won a number of medals includes three Olympic golds, two golds at the World championships and three European golds. He also claimed Badminton twice and Burghley once.

Harry was the National Pony Club eventing champion and the following year a member of the British Junior team.

While at Bristol University Harry was stable jockey to William Fox-Pitt, where he took on the ride on Midnight Dazzler, a notoriously difficult horse. The 20-year-old Harry put everything into overcoming the challenges and developed a partnership, which  saw the pair become one of the most consistent four-star combinations on the international circuit.

Harry credits his time with William as shaping him as a rider, learning to give his horses time and focussing on their long-term development. For three consecutive years he won the prize for the best placed rider under the age of 25 at Burghley, he also remains the youngest rider to have ever received an Armada dish for five Badminton completions.

In August 2013 Harry suffered a rotational fall, that nearly ended his career. In this exclusive interview he talks about how he made it back into the saddle and recovered both physically and mentally, to come third at Badminton, just a few months later.

Harry also talks about:

· Following in his father’s footsteps and why his success has made him push himself to reach the very top of his sport.

· Passing down his father’s legacy to his children – and the importance of letting children learn to ride and find their own balance through self- exploration.

· Delivering his son at home, with his broken arms still in braces, when his wife clearly wasn’t going to make it to hospital! And why he needed a ruler…

· Tragically losing his top horse, and best friend, Wild Lone at the World Championships.

· His ‘deep sense of satisfaction’ from bringing on young horses – and the importance of having patience and taking things slowly.

· His five top tips on being an amazing rider!

We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we enjoyed making it.

To find out more about the helmets Harry loves – visit https://www.charlesowen.com/.

We are excited to announce an exclusive interview with triple-gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin. The 35-year-old dressage superstar won the hearts of the British public at London 2012 with her ‘dancing horse’ Valegro, on whom she won double gold.

The pair went on to become both World and European champions, break numerous records, and win a further gold and team silver at the Rio Olympics.

In this interview Charlotte talks frankly about her life and her sport – the massive highs and crashing lows – and why she is still as hungry as ever for future medals and success.

We find out how her nerves nearly got the better of her at Rio, and why being offered a job as a groom for Carl Hester 14 years ago changed her life forever.

Charlotte also talks about:

· The special bond between her and Valegro – why there will NEVER be another ‘Blueberry’

· What she looks for in a dressage horse

· Her amazing new ride, the “pocket rocket” Gio (aka Pumpkin)

· Her relationship with her friend and mentor Carl

· The pressures of achieving so much in her sport, in such a short space of time.

· Struggling with social media at the height of her success

· Learning to be more in the moment and enjoy her achievements

· Why she knows she will another Olympic gold medal

We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we enjoyed making it. 

To find out more about the helmets which Charlotte loves – and helped design – visit https://www.charlesowen.com/.