Meet Kathryn Kraft: Head Coach – Purdue Equestrian Team

Coach Kathryn is in her fourth year as Head Coach of the Purdue Equestrian Team. Her tenure thus far has been quite notable. Kathryn approaches her coaching role with passion, vision, and hard work, shown through her efforts developing team members and horses that are successful in the IHSA, at the highest level. 

During her time, Kathryn has coached the team to winning a Team National Championship, National Champion class winners, multiple Zone 7 Team Championships, and multiple Regional Championship wins, recently by over 100 points. Within the renowned Tournament of Champions series, the team has had two Medal winners in one show (only two schools, Purdue and SCAD, have achieved this), placed 3rd at the January 2025 Tournament only behind SCAD, and placed 3rd overall in the 2024-2025 Tournament Series. The Purdue Equestrian Team looks to continue its strong showing on the national level during the 2025-2026 season.

Outside of IHSA, Kathryn has a background in the hunter/jumper industry and has been riding in the Indianapolis area since she was young, showing in the Hunter and Equitation divisions in the “A” circuit for most of her life. Kathryn was also an Assistant Trainer under Michelle Arnold of Talbot Street Farm and gained experience teaching and taking clients to shows under Michelle’s tutelage. In her junior years, Kathryn rode under Abby Blankenship, and has horse showing experience in the International Hunter Derbies, National Equitation Medals, 3’6 Hunters, and the 1.20m Jumpers.

During her collegiate career, Kathryn attended Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College on a scholarship as both a basketball player and rider. She rode as an Open Fences and Flat rider for the Hunt Seat Team and was a competitive rider on the Western Team as well. She had a lot of success in IHSA, including many High-Point Rider awards and Top 3 placings at national events, including the Tournament of Champions and the Collegiate Celebration tournament. 

Following her collegiate career, Kathryn received a Master’s Degree in Athletic Leadership Development and served as the Graduate Assistant for the Equestrian Team at SMWC. During her graduate year, Kathryn earned a National Champion title in IHSA’s Alumni Flat and a Reserve National Champion title in IHSA’s Alumni Fences. In 2022, at the prestigious Alumni Tournament of Champions, held at the USET Foundation in Gladstone, New Jersey, Kathryn won the High Point Rider award for the year, earned the Advanced Flat championship with a score of 90, won the Western Cup comprised of a horsemanship and reining phase, and won the Advanced Reining championship. 

As Head Coach for the Purdue Equestrian Team, Kathryn values teamwork, supporting students in setting goals, and helping students gain the necessary tools to work to achieve their aspirations. She leverages her love of learning by consistently seeking out learning opportunities and is currently finishing her requirements to receive her USHJA Hunter/Hunt Seat ‘r’ Judging card with judging opportunities lined up locally and in the IHSA. 

Kathryn has also shown dedication to improving not only the quality, but also the diversity of the horse herd to properly resemble the varied mounts that members will ride at IHSA shows. She has used her contacts within the area to land quality donation and free-lease horses from farms such as: Three Ships LLC, Rinehart Farm, Maple Lane Farm, and Rebel Heart Farm. Kathryn understands that quality four-legged teammates are vital to any team contending for a National Title. 

If you are interested in connecting with Coach Kathryn about donating your horse to the Purdue Equestrian Team or joining the team for yourself, please email her at kbkraft28@gmail.com and fill out our interest form here.