Category Archives: USEF

Championships, Driving, Pony, USEF, USEF

Morgan, Matheson and Stroud Earn National Titles at Southern Pines CDE

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Tracey Morgan (Picsofyou.com)

Raeford, NC – The Southern Pines CDE came to a conclusion on Sunday at the picturesque Carolina Horse Park as three pony drivers were crowned 2013 National Champions. In the USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship Tracey Morgan had the trip of day to claim the Single Pony Title for the first time. Jennifer Matheson claimed her third USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship, with a solid cones phase. The USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship went to Lisa Stroud for the ninth time as she executed a near faultless trip.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

Morgan (Beallsville, MD) drove her own Fuego 88 flawlessly in the cones phase to post the only double clear in any of the Advanced divisions. The 12-year-old German Riding Pony completed on a three-day total of 130.59.

“I knew I needed to do that (drive double clear), to have a shot. That double clear is always so important; it was my first of the year,” said Morgan. “We kept fighting our way up from third after the dressage all weekend.”

Morgan is a former USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship but this is the first time topping the Single Pony Championship.

“It was fantastic to win the National Championship; it was good friends and good competition.”

Earning the Reserve Championship was the leader following the marathon, Paul Maye (Fairfield, VA) on a final score of 134.71. Maye drove Harmony Sport Horses’ Markus just a little too conservatively to incur 8.32 time faults but leave all the balls in place in the cones.

Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)
Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

Matheson (Aiken, SC) drove the combination of Bax and Cees to a cones score of 8.90 after incurring six faults for two balls down and 2.90 time faults. The 2010 and 2011 National Champion earned her third title on a score of 145.15.

“It’s great to win (the National Championship); this makes three,” said Matheson. “It really solidifies to me that I can represent my country.”

The Southern Pines CDE proved to be a large step forward for Matheson and her ponies after a less than ideal spring campaign.

“We’re improving; I’m still trying to get my confidence back. I’ve been unsettled but I’m getting more confident.”

Finishing in second and earning Reserve Champion honors was Wendy O’Brien (Aiken, SC) on a score of 157.37. The 2012 National Champion incurred four balls down and 4.60 time faults for a cones total of 16.60.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

Stroud (West Grove, PA) drove with great precision to complete the weekend with a cones score of 4.24, one ball down and 1.24 time faults. She earned her record-tying eighth consecutive National Championship on a score of 170.11.

“It’s kind of cool,” said Stroud of her ninth National Title (2004 and 2006-2013).

Stroud was very pleased with her team on Sunday as they performed so well over the challenging cones course.

Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)
Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)

“That was a hard cones course. I felt lucky to get out of there alive,” said Stroud. “It (the time) was very tight. I’m very pleased with all these ponies.”

Heather Schneider (Palm City, FL) earned the Reserve Championship on a three-day total of 201.98, after scoring 14.74 on the cones (one ball down and 11.74 time faults).

For results, visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/.

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

Championships, Driving, Pony, USEF, USEF

Maye, Matheson and Stroud Dominate Marathon Phase at Southern Pines CDE as Sights Are Set on National Championships

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Paul Maye (Picsofyou.com)

Raeford, NC – The marathon phase proved extremely influential at the Southern Pines CDE as the leaderboards across the competition saw great shake-ups. In the USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship, Paul Maye drove a consistent and determined second phase to seize the two-day lead on a score of 126.39. While in the USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship, Jennifer Matheson will head into the cones as the leader with a score of 136.25. Lisa Stroud maintained her dressage lead in the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship and stands on a total of 165.87. All three current leaders were the marathon winners in their respective divisions.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

Maye (Fairfield, VA) drove like a man on a mission over the eight hazard course guiding Harmony Sport Horses’ Markus to a marathon score of 77.96. The 2012 National Championships won hazards one, four and seven to hold a four point lead going into the cones phase.

“He was wonderful, he did everything I asked him to do,” said Maye of his 12-year-old German Sport Pony stallion. “He got me out of trouble in a couple places and he finished very strong.”

Lying second heading into the cones are Tracey Morgan (Beallsville, MD) and Fuego 88 with a two-day total of 130.59.

Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)
Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

Matheson (Aiken, SC) posted the quickest times in five of the hazards on Saturday. On the marathon the 2010 and 2011 National Champion drove Bax and Cees together for the first time with great success as she posted a score of 86.86 for the phase.

“I thought the marathon went well. It’s a new combination,” said Matheson.  “I’m really happy with how it went.”

Wendy O’Brien (Aiken, SC) the 2012 National Championship and Friday’s dressage leader currently lies second on a score of 140.77.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

Stroud (West Grove, PA) won the dressage phase of the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship on a score of 50.24 and lengthened her lead with a strong marathon phase. The reigning National Champion won five hazards (one, three, four, five and six) to earn a marathon score of 115.63.

“I like that there were eight hazards here; it’s very technically challenging and very tight for a Team. Overall it was very well built and so welcoming. The volunteers and committee make it a competitor friendly show. When you wake up and are excited there’s nothing better,” said Stroud of the Southern Pines CDE. “I was thrilled with the dressage; I was hoping to break 50 this spring and I did 50.24 (yesterday), so I’ll take the .24.”

Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)
Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)

Stroud heads into the cones phase with a nearly 22 point lead as she vies to earn her 10th National Title.

Sitting in second place overnight is Heather Schneider (Palm City, FL) with a score of 187.24.

Competition concludes for all divisions with the final cones phase on Sunday.

For Orders of Go and Results, visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/.

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

Championships, Dressage, Driving, Pony, USEF, USEF

Stafford, O’Brien and Stroud Get the Early Jump on National Titles Following Dressage at the Southern Pines CDE

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Suzy Stafford (Picsofyou.com)

Raeford, NC – The first day of competition at the Southern Pines CDE came to a close with pony drivers taking their first steps towards earning National Titles as they performed their dressage tests. National Championship competitors were fortunate to enjoy sunny skies, as CDE competitors following the lunch break were met with a deluge of rain. In the USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship Suzy Stafford leads the field after scoring 45.23 in the first phase. Wendy O’Brien heads into Saturday’s marathon with a six point lead after scoring 43.31 in the USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship. The USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship was the final division of the day and saw Lisa Stroud jump out to the first day lead on a score of 50.24.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

OBrien-dr1_1304
Wendy O’Brien (Picsofyou.com)

Stafford (Wilmington, DE) and Wendy O’Brien’s TTE Tea Time drove as the final competitors in the division and set the tone from the very start of the test. The Individual Silver medalist from the 2011 FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies utilized her years of experience to produce a consistent and precise effort with the nine-year-old Morgan gelding.

Lying second are the 2012 USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Champions, Paul Maye (Fairfield, VA) and Harmony Sport Horses’ Markus. The 12-year-old German Sport Pony stallion earned a score of 48.43.

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

O’Brien (Aiken, SC) drove her own Braakmoor Clowny Clark (a 15-year-old Welsh gelding) and Braakmoor Conan (a 14-year-old Welsh gelding) in the first phase as she looks to retain her National Title from 2012. The pair of ponies demonstrated powerful and expressive gaits but a few bobbles cost them valuable marks.

Heading to the marathon in second place is Jennifer Matheson on a score of 49.39. Matheson (Aiken, SC) drove Katrina Becker’s Bax and Danyloo in the first phase.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

In the dressage, Stroud (West Grove, PA) drove her own Sir Patrick (a 14-year-old Connemara gelding), With Flair (a 14-year-old Welsh gelding), Kilkerin Edward (a 16-year-old Welsh gelding) and Mystic (a 13-year-old New Forest Pony gelding). The nine-time National Champion had a consistent test, highlighted by relaxed walk work. She will head out onto the marathon with a six-point lead.

Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)
Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)

In second place in the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship is Heather Schneider (Palm City, FL) who drove her own Rambo, Patrick, Cloud 9 and Jazz to a score of 56.64.

Competition continues for all divisions with the marathon on Saturday.

For Orders of Go and Results, visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/.

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving, Pony, USEF

US Pony Drivers Head to Southern Pines CDE with National Titles Up for Grabs

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Suzy Stafford (Marie de Ronde)

Lexington, KY – U.S. pony drivers head to Raeford, North Carolina this weekend to vie for National Titles at the Southern Pines CDE. Bragging rights will be up for grabs in the USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship, USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship and USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship at the annual event held April 12-14.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

A vastly experienced field of five competitors line-up in the USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship, including previous National Champions and World Championship medal winners. Suzy Stafford (Wilmington, DE) heads to Southern Pines on strong form in 2013. The three-time National Champion (2004, 2008, 2009) and the Individual Silver medalist from the 2011 FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies most recently claimed victory three weeks ago at Live Oak International. Paul Maye (Fairfield, VA) finished second behind Stafford at Live Oak but will look to finish at the head of the field and retain his 2012 National Title.

Completing the field are three of the most experienced drivers in the United States; Miranda Cadwell, Bill Long and Tracey Morgan. Cadwell, the Individual Gold medalist from the 2007 World Pony Pairs Driving Championships, does not have to travel far from her base in Southern Pines, North Carolina and will look to add a National Title to her resume in front of hometown fans. Long (Southern Pines, NC), another local favorite, will use the experience gained driving at seven World Championships to try and add another National Championship (he has won the Four-in-Hand title seven times) to his name. Morgan (Beallsville, MD) also has years from practice driving at the highest level, including sweeping the Pair Pony title from 2003-2009.

Wendy O'Brien (Picsofyou.com)
Wendy O’Brien (Picsofyou.com)

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

A small but mighty field will vie for a National Title in the USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship. Wendy O’Brien (Aiken, SC) heads north to Southern Pines looking to repeat as National Champion after having claimed the title in 2012. O’Brien has been training diligently over the past months and saw her efforts rewarded at Live Oak where she broke the 40 mark for the first time on her way to winning the division.

Jennifer Matheson (Aiken, SC) who earned the National Championship crown in 2010 and 2011 will drive as a woman on a mission this weekend. Matheson stood on the podium in Lipica, Slovenia alongside Cadwell and O’Brien as the U.S. clinched Team Bronze at the 2011 FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies. Meghan Benge (Windsor, SC) has been making a name for herself over the past few years as a proficient driver in the pair pony division. In 2013, she has placed third in the Intermediate section at Live Oak and won the Preliminary at Little Everglades.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

The USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship also boasts a field of three. Lisa Stroud (West Grove, PA) aims to claim her ninth National Title in the division driving her trademark team of white ponies. Stroud is also no stranger to success on the world stage having represented the U.S. five times in World Championship competition, including winning Team Bronze in 2007 and 2011.

Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)
Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)

As the 2012 Reserve National Champion in this division, Katie Whaley (Paris, KY) will look to go one better in 2013. Whaley is known for her proficiency in the marathon and cones phases and will aim to drive clear, quick trips this weekend. Rounding out the division is Heather Schneider (Palm City, FL), who has been performing consistently on the Florida circuit in 2013.

Competition gets underway for all divisions with the dressage on Friday.

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, USEF

Wrigley-Miller Storms to Commanding Lead in 2013 USEF National Pair Championship at the Live Oak International

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Ocala, FL – The USEF National Pairs Championship got underway Thursday morning at Live Oak International, as the first phase competition was held in conjunction with the FEI Grand Oaks Resort and Carriage Museum Driven Dressage. Misdee Wrigley-Miller has kicked off her bid to claim her first National Title by gaining the early lead following the dressage on a score of 41.41.

Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, FL) drove with extreme confidence and poise to set herself apart from the rest of the National Championship competition. The 2012 Reserve USEF National Pair Champion and 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championship veteran executed an accurate and expressive test with her own nine-year-old KWPN gelding Riant W and seven-year-old KWPN gelding Beau.

“Overall I was very pleased because my warm-up was a little difficult,” said Wrigley-Miller. “With this pair I love their extension. They’re really there and explosive and then they come immediately back and are flexible.”

Wrigley-Miller has had a great lead-up to these National Championships, collecting wins at Sunshine State and Little Everglades. She is especially looking forward to Saturday’s marathon as she has been diligently working to improve her technique.

“Having seen all the hazards, I’m really looking forward to the marathon. We’ve been training really hard this spring. It’s the part of my competition I need to work on. I’ve won the marathon at my last two competitions, so hopefully all the training pays off.”

Lying second in National Championship competition and third overall is Steve Wilson on a score of 55.49. Wilson (Louisville, KY) drove his veteran pair of Lipizzaner’s Favory Nori and Napoly in steady and consistent effort Thursday morning.

Canada’s Rae Fischer stands second in Live Oak International’s FEI Pair Horse division, which is being sponsored by Scott and Kathi Dancer, on score of 54.53.

National Championship competition continues Saturday with the marathon phase.

In addition to the USEF National Championship, Live Oak International also hosts Four-in-Hand, Pairs, Singles, and Pony driving competition at both the FEI and Intermediate levels. For a second year, it will host world class jumping competition in conjunction with the driving. The USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak will host wall-to-wall coverage of the marathon on Saturday and Sunday’s cones, in addition to Saturday’s $50,000 Live Oak International CSI 2* Grand Prix and the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round on Sunday. The live stream, video-on-demand, photos and news can be found here.

Visit the Live Oak International website here.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

Championships, Dressage, Driving, USEF, USEF

Strong Field Set to Contest 2013 USEF National Pairs Championship at Live Oak International

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Misdee Wrigley-Miller at the 2012 Live Oak International (Picsofyou.com)

Ocala, FL – A small but mighty field lines up to contest the 2013 USEF National Pairs Championship at the Live Oak International March 21-24. Competition gets underway Thursday with the driven dressage and continues Saturday as competitors navigate the exciting marathon. On Sunday, drivers return to the John Deere Arena for the final cones phase.

Misdee Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, FL) will be eyeing her first USEF National Pairs Championship, having claimed Reserve Championship honors in 2012. Wrigley-Miller is no stranger to top driving competition after representing the United States at the 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championship in Conty, France. Also an active Saddlebred competitor, Wrigley-Miller has already enjoyed success in the 2013 season with wins at the Sunshine State and Little Everglades CDEs.

Lisa Singer (Chadds Ford, PA) is among the most experienced pairs drivers in the United States and will be looking to display her expertise at Live Oak. An eight-time National Champion in this division, Singer was the first female driver to win the Pairs National Title in 1994. She also represented the U.S. seven times in World Championship competition.

Rounding out the pairs field are Scott Dancer and Steve Wilson. Dancer (Woodside, CA) is very familiar with international competition having served as navigator for his wife, Kathi, at numerous competitions including the 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championships. Most recently, he picked up a third-place finish at Little Everglades. Wilson (Louisville, KY) is an active competitor as well as being an organizer of the Hermitage Classic CDE. In January he was fifth at Sunshine State.

In addition to National Championship competition, Live Oak International will also host Four-in-Hand, Pairs, Singles, and Pony driving competition at both the FEI and Intermediate levels. For a second year, it will host world class jumping competition in conjunction with the driving. The USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak will host wall-to-wall coverage of the marathon on Saturday and Sunday’s cones, in addition to Saturday’s $50,000 Live Oak International CSI 2* Grand Prix and the $33,000 CSI 2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round on Sunday. The live stream, video-on-demand, photos and news can be found here.

Visit the Live Oak International website here.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, USEF

Applications of Intent Now Available for USEF Dressage National Championships

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Lexington, KY – The applications of intent for eight of the USEF Dressage National Championships are now available on usef.org. National Championship competition will be held at different venues through the U.S. in 2013. The first championship of the year will be the 2013 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com in August followed by the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by the Dutta Corp. in October.

Applications of Intent are available here: https://www.usef.org/_AUAIFrames/Dressage/Championships/ApplicationList.aspx.

2013 Markel/USEF Dressage National Championships for Young Horses and Developing Horses presented by HorseShow.com

The 2013 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse National Dressage Championships presented by HorseShow.com will take place at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL August 22-25. Applications received on or before April 30 will require a $50 application fee per horse, applications received after April 30 but on or before the final deadline of May 15 will require a $150 application fee per horse.

To learn more about the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Dressage Championships, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/developingHorseInfo.aspx.

To learn more about the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and Championships, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/NatlYHProgram.aspx.

U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by the Dutta Corp.

The 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by the Dutta Corp. will be held October 9-12, 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Six National Championship divisions will be held again in 2013: Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship, USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” National Championship, AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship, AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship and USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship.

Grand Prix and Intermediaire I applications received on or before June 17 require an application fee of $50 per horse, applications received on or before the final deadline of July 1 require an application fee of $300 per horse.

To learn more about the USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Dressage programs, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/hpDressage.aspx.

Young Adult “Brentina Cup”, Young Rider, Junior and Pony Rider applications received on or before June 30 require an application fee of $50 per horse; applications received on or before the final deadline of July 31 require an application fee of $150 per horse.

To learn more about the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” National Dressage Championship, visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/youngAdultInfo.aspx.

To learn more about the AGCO/USEF National Young Rider Dressage Championship, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/youngRiderInfo.aspx.

To learn more about the AGCO/USEF National Junior Dressage Championship, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/juniorInfo.aspx.

To learn more about the USEF National Pony Dressage Championship, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/dressagePonies.aspx.

Competitions, Dressage, Events, USDF, USEF, USEF

USEF Accepting Letters of Intent to Host 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting letters of intent from competition managers to host the 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. These Finals will take place in the summer of 2014.

The purpose of the USDF/USEF Dressage Seat Medal program presented by Dressage Today is to promote and reward correct seat, position, and use of aids in dressage for youth riders. The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) oversees the qualifying system and the Semi-Finals, while the USEF manages the Finals.

The USDF/USEF Dressage Seat Medal program presented by Dressage Today is split in two age divisions: 13-and-under and 14-18. A rider is eligible for the 13-and-under Semi-Final class until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches the age of 13. A rider is eligible for the 14-18 Semi-Final class from the beginning of the calendar year in which he/she reaches 14 until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches the age of 18.

Continue reading USEF Accepting Letters of Intent to Host 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals →

Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF, USEF

Bids to Host the 2013 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions Are Still Being Accepted

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has extended the bid process for the 2013 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions and is now accepting bids from East and West Coast venues. Competition in 2013 will again be held in six divisions: Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, Young Adult “Brentina” Cup, Young Rider, Junior and Pony Rider.

To request a bid packet, please contact Jenny Van Wieren-Page at (859) 225-6949, or via email at jvanwieren@usef.org. Bids will be due in the office by the close of business Friday, November 2, 2012.

Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF, USEF

USEF Accepting Bids to Host 2013 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting bids to host the 2013 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions on the West Coast. Competition will once again be held in six divisions: Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, Young Adult “Brentina” Cup, Young Rider, Junior and Pony Rider.

To request a bid packet please contact Jenny Van Wieren-Page at (859) 225-6949, or via email at jvanwieren@usef.org. Bids will be due in the office by the close of business Friday, October 5, 2012.