May 21, 2012
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina equestrian program announced the signing of Hunt Seat rider Samantha Kraus (Mount Sinai, N.Y./Mount Sinai High School) to a National Letter of Intent to join the Gamecocks starting with the 2012-2013 season.
“Sam is an exceptional student and rider so we are thrilled to have her as an addition to our team.,” Hunt Seat coach Carol Gwin said.”She has years of experience in the equitation ring and will bring valuable mileage to the teamboth on the flat and over fences.”
A regular at all the major shows and medal finals across the country, Kraus trains with Stacia Madden at Beacon Hill Stables. She has numerous top-10 finishes in the equitation and jumper divisions at WEF, Lake Placid, Kentucky, Old Salem, Vermont, Garden State, and HITS Saugerties.
Kraus’ junior riding career highlights include:
Top-25 USEF Medal Finals 2012
Top-15 USET Talent Search Finals East 2012
Top-10 finishes in the equitation at Devon 2012
Qualified for George Morris Excellence in Equitation class at WEF 2012
Top-15 Zone 2 Maclay Regionals 2012
Qualified for USEF Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay finals, USET Talent Search Finals 2010-2012
Fifth Place at the Sam Edelman Equitation Championship at the Hampton Classic 2012
First Place at the Marshall and Sterling Children’s Medal Final 2008
USEF Bronze Medal
Born January 23, 1993 to parents Doug and Lori Kraus, Samantha has a twin brother, Daniel.
At Mount Sinai High School in Mount Sinai, N.Y., Kraus has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her entire career, cementing her place on the Principal’s List and Superintendent’s List. She was nominated for the National Honor Society, and was a member of both the SADD and History clubs on campus. Kraus excelled outside of the equine world, as she competed for both the cross country and track and field squads, while also performing in the school’s orchestra.
Kraus chose South Carolina over Georgia and Kansas State. She will major in Business in the Darla Moore School of Business.
