Category Archives: Driving

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Home Favourite Eriksson Beats Exell in Stockholm

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Tomas Eriksson on his way to victory in Stockholm Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

History repeated itself in Stockholm on Sunday when local driver Tomas Eriksson beat favourite Boyd Exell on home soil in the third leg of the FEI World Cup Driving.

Exactly one year ago at the same venue, Eriksson triumphed and this year he was again too strong for the Australian FEI World Cup Driving Champion. However, Exell still claimed the full ten points because Eriksson drove with a wild card. Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz came third in the Ericsson Globen Arena.

Volkswagen

For the first time in the history of the FEI World Cup Driving in Stockholm, a winning round for the top three drivers was included in the event, which resulted in two exciting rounds.  The drivers revelled in the competition and commented that they hoped next year they would be able to win a Volkswagen, like those competing in Jumping and Dressage in Stockholm.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12623

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Exell Flies to Victory in Stuttgart

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by Cindy Timmer

Boyd Exell (AUS) flew to his second victory of this season in the FEI World Cup Driving competition in Stuttgart. The World Cup and World champion drove an impeccable and extremely fast round with his new indoor marathon carriage and new harness, cheered by the enthusiastic crowd in the Schleyer Halle.

Dutch force
Dutch drivers Koos de Ronde and IJsbrand Chardon qualified for the Winning Round and their main goal was to put the pressure on Boyd Exell, whose parents had come over from Australia to watch their son perform. Kentucky silver medallist Chardon set a fast time but knocked a ball down, giving his compatriot Koos de Ronde some air. De Ronde however was a bit confused by the different course in the Winning Round and drove an extra circle in the marathon obstacle. But being a true sportsman, De Ronde decided to keep driving as fast as he could and beat Chardon’s score by almost three seconds.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12591

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events

Shelly Temple and Pony Pair Finish 2010 Season with a Win at Katydid CDE

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Shelly Temple and groom Dottie Paul competed in the driven dressage on day 1, Katydid CDE. Photo credit: Pics of You.

The cold temperatures in Windsor, South Caroline did not dampen the enthusiasm of Shelly Temple, Cooper and Harry at the Katydid CDE.  Held at Katrina Becker’s Katydid Farm, the Katydid CDE featured four days of combined driving at the training, preliminary, and intermediate levels.  Shelly and her new combination of ponies, reigning National Champion pony Cooper, and former National Champion Harry, finished out their season with win.  Harry is owned by Jack Wetzel of Aiken, South Carolina.

“The ponies continue to come together as a team,” remarked Shelly after winning dressage with a 40.22.  “The boys will have a little time off then will be back to work to build on the foundation we established this fall.”  Saturday saw the team, including Shelly’s husband/navigator, Fran Doto, take 4th place in marathon yet preserve their overall 1st place standing.  Sunday’s cones competition featured another cool but sunny day, and a double clear round for Team Catalyst resulting in a first place in preliminary pair ponies in their second competition.

Continue reading Shelly Temple and Pony Pair Finish 2010 Season with a Win at Katydid CDE →

*Featured/Spotlights, Conferences, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, JRPR

Combined Driver Chester Weber Speaks At CHA Conference at Oaks of Lake City

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Chester Weber, who recently helped his team win the Silver Medal in Combined Driving at the 2010 WEG, spoke and gave a demonstration at Lakes of Oak City Equestrian Center in Lake City, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Susanna Dicks)

Lake City, FL (November 11, 2010) – Combined Driver Chester Weber is passionate about driving and never misses an opportunity to share his passion for the sport. As the reigning eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, Weber spoke recently at the CHA Conference at the Oaks of Lake City, home of the O’Connor Signature Equestrian Center in Lake City, Florida.

“While at the Oaks of Lake City Equestrian Center I had the chance to introduce the sport of combined driving to everyone attending the conference,” Weber said. “It was an intimate group, so in addition to demonstrating different aspects of combined driving, I was also able to field questions from individuals.”

Weber is fresh off his third time competing in the World Equestrian Games. Weber, along with U.S. Combined Driving teammates James Fairclough and Tucker Johnson, won the team silver medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. Weber won the cones phase of the Combined Driving event with an almost record-setting time to help the U.S. Team clinch the silver medal.

Continue reading Combined Driver Chester Weber Speaks At CHA Conference at Oaks of Lake City →

*Featured/Spotlights, Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, JRPR, World Equestrian Games

Hackney Ponies Added to the Excitement at the World Equestrian Games

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Lieutenant Dan, a Hackney Pony owned by Georgia Blevins, gave a high stepping, action packed driving demonstration at the WEG. (Photo by JRPR)

Lexington, KY (November 9, 2010) – Early Edition, a high stepping Hackney Pony, took part in a driving demonstration at the Equine Village at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, much to the delight of the crowd who gathered around to find out more about the glamorous, eye-catching Hackney. Early Edition, owned by T. J. and Georgia Blevins of Blevins Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is an American and Canadian National Champion Hackney Pleasure Pony.

Blevins said she was thrilled to be asked to perform a demonstration with Early Edition at the World Equestrian Games and was pleased that so many people were introduced to the breed. In addition to winning the Canadian National Champion Pleasure Pony title in 2009, the flashy Hackney, who is trained by Matt Schuckert of Debonaire Stables, also won the Championship at the Indianapolis Charity Horse Show in 2010.

Early Edition was bred by Bent Tree Farms of Virginia and started his career as a Road Pony, becoming the 2002 World Champion Four-Year-Old Road Pony Champion. Under the ownership of the late Jane Mueller, Early Edition switched to the Pleasure Pony division where in 2006 he became the World Grand Champion Pleasure Pony.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12521

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, JRPR, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Chester Weber Thrills Crowds with Combined Driving Demonstration and Autograph Sessions at Washington International Horse Show

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Chester Weber recently shared his passion for driving with thousands of enthusiastic spectators at the Washington International Horse Show. (Photo © Diana De Rosa Photography)

Washington, D.C. (November 4, 2010) – Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, recently shared his passion for driving with thousands of enthusiastic spectators at the Washington International Horse Show. In addition to the driving demonstrations, Weber also autographed posters and signed copies of the book, For the Love of the Horse, Volume III, which features a story about his highly decorated equine teammate Jamaica.

Weber, who helped the U.S. Combined Driving team clinch the Silver Medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, said the driving demonstrations at the Washington International Horse Show went extremely well. “The show always draws large crowds and it’s always a great experience for me when I get to introduce new people to the sport of combined driving,” Weber said.

Continue reading Chester Weber Thrills Crowds with Combined Driving Demonstration and Autograph Sessions at Washington International Horse Show →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

FEI World Cup Driving 2010/2011

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Exell driving his Dream Team to victory in Hannover. Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

EXELL PUTS THE PRESSURE ON IN HANNOVER by Cindy Timmer

Hannover (GER) 31 October 2010 – Australian Boyd Exell laid down a marker for his rivals as the FEI World Cup Driving season got underway in Germany.

The Double World Cup Champion and recent World Four-in-Hand Champion won the first competition of the season in Hannover, finishing ahead of Hungary’s József Dobrovitz and IJsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands.

The 10th season of the FEI World Cup Driving kicked off traditionally during the German Classics show where the drivers and their horses received a warm welcome from the enthusiastic spectators at the near-capacity Hannover Messe Halle.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12461

Competitions, Disciplines, Driving, Events

National Champion Single Ponies Unite to Win First Pair Competition

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Shelly Temple debuts her pony pair, Cooper and Harry, at the Pine Tree CDE, October 23-24, 2010.

October 28, 2010 – The current single pony national champion and a former national single pony champion were paired this weekend at the Pine Tree CDE in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Shelly Temple drove her 12 year old Morgan gelding LR Ami B-Line (“Cooper”) with Jack Wetzel’s Harry for their first competition and won the preliminary pair class.

The team’s day started off on a high note with a competition best 35.27. Soon after finishing dressage, Temple drove the pair to a double clear round in cones by meeting the maximum time and not incurring any penalties.  “Harry and Cooper exceeded our expectations today. They were responsive and work well together,” remarked Temple.  A solid marathon on the Halloween-themed course solidified the blue ribbon for the pair’s debut outing.

Continue reading National Champion Single Ponies Unite to Win First Pair Competition →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Driving, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

WEG Comes to WIHS

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Chester Weber. Photos by Diana De Rosa.

World Equestrian Games Riders and Drivers to Attend 52nd Annual Washington International Horse Show

October 18, 2010 – The finest riders and drivers in the world assembled at the historic 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) last month in Kentucky. The Washington International Horse Show is pleased to welcome a number of these great horsemen and horsewomen October 26-31 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Chester Weber, Ocala, FL, winner of the WEG Team Silver Medal for four-in-hand driving will bring his brilliant team of four to WIHS on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for an exciting exhibition. Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward, Brewster, NY, the highest placed show jumper at WEG with a 7th individually, will be competing in the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix Saturday night and other jumper classes throughout the week. He is a past winner of this highlight event. Also on hand will be show jumping superstar Rodrigo Pessoa, Brazil, who made it to the elite Final Four at WEG, and Venezuelan Pablo Barrios, whose performance at WEG advanced him into the select individual competition.

Continue reading WEG Comes to WIHS →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Steffen Peters – Individual Bronze – USA. Photos by Diana De Rosa

Bringing the World to Kentucky

“What a journey this continues to be,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, as he sat mesmerized by the incredible talent he was witnessing on September 25 as he watched each performer showcase their talents during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  It had been four years since Dr. Lyons had made the decision for his company, Alltech, a worldwide leader in animal nutrition, health and performance, to be the first major sponsor of this event.

This day was especially significant and he wasn’t about to miss even one beat of the evening’s performances.

“As the first performers entered the arena, I felt a great sense of relief and a sense of achievement,” commented Dr. Lyons after pausing for a moment to answer the question of how significant it was to have the Games start officially. “That relief wasn’t just for me but for our people at Alltech and for WEG.  We all planned it and our people and the WEG people came together to get the job done.  It’s been a great example of a team effort.  So, how do I feel?  I feel really delighted, especially to see our people really get into it and get involved.”

Continue reading The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games →