GEORGETOWN, KY – FEBRUARY 7, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced that Team Sterling – driver Sterling Graburn and the horse Ulano – are now longlisted for a coveted spot on the U.S. Combined Driving Team at the FEI World Singles Driving Championships 2012, to be held in Lezirias, Portugal Sept. 12-16.
Elizabeth Staller, Director of High Performance Driving at USEF, made the eligibility pronouncements in January.
Graburn, who is head trainer at the Gayla Driving Center in Georgetown, KY, is the only Kentucky-based equestrian under consideration for the team. He plans to compete in Florida this spring where the process of final team placings will begin.
Graburn debuted Ulano, owned by Lebanon, Ohio-based Larry Denny, at the Advanced Level at the USEF National Single Horse Championship at the Katydid CDE in Aiken, S.C. last November. Besting 16 more-experienced combinations, Graburn finished 1st in dressage and placed 6th overall – high enough in the rankings to earn consideration for the championship team.
“Ulano is one of the best horses I have ever driven,” said Graburn of his equine partner. “He has a winning attitude, amazing gaits, and the experience to go straight to the top of the sport. Many thanks to Larry Denny for the loan of this wonderful horse, and for his belief in me as a trainer and driver.”
The 11-year-old Dutch Harness horse was part of the four-in-hand team representing Australia in the Alltech/FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games held in Lexington.
Graburn notes that no American – and no Kentuckian – has ever won a Gold Medal in the Single Horse World Championships. Team Sterling is now embarking on a sponsorship campaign to raise the necessary funds to attend the competition.
As a competitor, Graburn has a history of accomplishments in Singles Championships. In 2006, he competed at the World Singles Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, where he was the highest-ranked American driver overall with Alexander Hewitt’s Belgian Warmblood, Quincey. In 2008 he won the USEF National Combined Driving Single Horse National Championship with Dante, a Sport Cob owned in partnership with Dr. Wendy Ying.
Also a nationally recognized handler of sport horses, Graburn has won championships at the prestigious Dressage at Devon and Horse of the Year awards from both the USEF and the U.S. Dressage Federation, as well as from national breed organizations.
For more information about Graburn or Ulano visit the website at www.teamsterlingdriving.com.
For media inquiries and sponsorship opportunities contact Cynthia Grisolia (347) 423-7322, cagrisolia@yahoo.com or Team Sterling at info@teamsterlingdriving.com.