Lezirias, Portugal – On Sunday all three U.S. drivers completed the cones phase of the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, securing a sixth place team finish. This strong finish demonstrated a marked improvement for the U.S. Driving Team after having placed 11th at the 2010 World Championships. Leading the U.S. individually was Sterling Graburn, who completed his second World Championship in 22nd place.
Germany claimed the Team Gold medal, while Switzerland grabbed Silver and The Netherlands took Bronze. Top Individual honors went to Germany’s Christoph Dieker, with Silver and Bronze going to Michael Barbey of Switzerland and The Netherland’s Wilbrord Van Den Broek respectively.
Graburn (Georgetown, KY) and Larry Denny’s Ulano rebounded from a disappointing first phase that saw them down the order to secure a top 25 placing. The 11-year-old Dutch Harness gelding completed the cones phones adding just 6.29 penalties after knock-downs at obstacles four and fourteen in addition to adding .29 points for exceeding the time allowed. The combination finished on a score of 144.55.
Lezirias, Portugal – The United States sent three drivers onto the marathon at the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles. The U.S. team now stands in eighth place after the completion of competition on Saturday that saw drivers navigate through eight hazards.
Lezirias, Portugal – The United States got off to a quick start at the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles as they stand fourth in the team standings following the first phase of competition with a score of 96.5. Leslie Berndl leads the way for the U.S. after scoring 46.46 in the dressage to stand in sixth place individually.
Lexington, KY – The following drivers have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in the 2012 FEI Singles Driving World Championships, in Lezirias, Portugal, September 12-16, 2012. Sara Schmitt (Flemington, NJ) was also supposed to represent the U.S. but she has withdrawn.