Head Coach Kathryn Kraft

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.

Assistant Coach Abby Talcott

Coach Abby is in her first year as Assistant Coach for the Purdue Equestrian Team. She
graduated this past May from Purdue University with degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences and
Industrial Selling. While at Purdue, Abby was an active riding member of the Equestrian Team
for four years and served as Horse Care Manager for three of those years. Overseeing the care
of the team’s horses, preparing them for competitions, and teaching her peers essential
horsemanship skills.

In addition to her leadership role, Abby had a lot of success competing in the IHSA. She
qualified for the IHSA National Championship three out of her four years and placing in the top
five in every class she rode. Her career highlights include winning the IHSA Team Intermediate
Flat at the National Horse Show in 2025 and placing third in the Individual Open Flat at 2026
National Horse Show. Abby also had the opportunity to compete in multiple Tournament of
Champions invitationals throughout her collegiate career, winning several classes, placing in the
top three in the High Medal, and becoming the first rider in Purdue history to win the Low Medal
in the invitational series.2

Abby values creating a welcoming, supportive environment for her teammates and takes pride
in fostering a strong sense of community within the program. She believes every rider deserves
a space where they feel encouraged to grow and pursue their individual goals. Now stepping
into her new role as coach, Abby is excited to bring a fresh perspective to the team, guiding
riders with the same dedication and heart she brought to her own competitive career.