Tag Archives: Tracey Morgan

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving, USEF

Morgan, Whaley, Wilson, and Weber Claim USEF Combined Driving National Championship Titles

March 13, 2017 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Tracey Morgan and Fuego 88 (Picsofyou.com)

Ocala, Fla. – Four USEF Combined Driving National Championships came to a close at Live Oak International on Sunday with the cones phase determining the national titles. Tracey Morgan, Katie Whaley, Steve Wilson, and Chester Weber, the leaders following Saturday’s marathon phase, held on to their leads to claim top honors in respective divisions.

USEF Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship

Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) and Fuego 88 won all three phases to win the USEF Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship. The duo had an excellent dressage test with great one-handed movements and quality canter work to win the dressage phase with a score of 48.54. Morgan and her own 2011 German Riding Pony gelding blazed around the marathon course, collecting 89.59 penalties and having the fastest times at obstacles two and five for the division. They had a winning cones performance, adding only a 0.43 time penalty to their overall score of 138.56.

“The course was very smooth; it had some interesting turns to it but it had flow to it. You could carry your speed but you had to be very careful in your angles and know where you wanted to go because it was hidden behind some very large jumps,” Morgan said of the ring which also contained show jumping fences for the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Qualifier presented by Golden Ocala Golf Equestrian Club happening later in the day. “I thought it was a really enjoyable cones course.”

Rebecca Gutierrez (Windsor, S.C.) and Naria BW6 had a solid dressage test to score 57.39 to sit in third place after the first day of competition. They followed that up with an equally good marathon performance to finish second in the phase, tallying 90.50 penalties and having the fastest time at obstacle six. Gutierrez and Richard Olson’s 2003 Haflinger mare had one ball down in the cones phase at cone seven for three course penalties and a 0.10 time penalty to finish third in the phase and clinch the Reserve Champion title with an overall score of 150.99.

Barbara Chapman (Metamora, Mich.) and Darlene Daly’s Maduro performed an obedient dressage test with good diagonal yields and deviations to score 56.54 to put them in second place on Thursday. They were third in the marathon phase with 95.36 penalties and had the fastest time at obstacle three. Chapman and the 2008 North American Sportpony gelding had a solid cones round with an unlucky ball down at cone 20 and 2.79 time penalties. They held on to finish in third place with an overall score of 157.69.

USEF Pair Pony Combined Driving National Championship

Defending-champion Whaley (Paris, Ky.) led from start to finish to claim her second consecutive USEF Pair Pony Combined Driving National Championship title. She had a great dressage test with her own and Barbara Sims’ Welsh geldings, highlighted by wonderful extended trot work, to win the phase with a score of 49.79. Whaley and her ponies had a winning marathon performance, collecting 91.04 penalties and having the fastest times in six of the seven obstacles. She had a fast, double-clear round to win the cones phase to clinch top honors with an overall score of 140.83.

“I loved the cones course. I thought it asked some pretty good questions,” Whaley said. “You had to get some speed, then you had to bring them back and turn well. You had to absolutely know where you were; [cone] 13 for a second vanished, but I really enjoyed it I thought [course designer Gabor Finta] did an excellent job.”

Jennifer Matheson (Aiken, S.C.) and Katrina Becker and Carina Crawford’s mixed pair had a respectable dressage test to finish third in the phase with a score of 63.06. They had some bobbles in the marathon phase, garnering 180.93 penalties, but had the fastest time at obstacle six. Matheson and her ponies finished strong, going double-clear in the cones phase to finish second in the phase and earn the Reserve Champion title with an overall score of 166.49.

Mary Phelps (Columbia, Ky.) had a smooth dressage test with her own American Shetland Pony pair to finish second in the phase with a score of 62.65. They were bold out on the marathon course, finishing second in the phase with 96.36 penalties. Phelps had four balls down with her ponies in the cones phase for 12 course penalties, finishing third in both the cones phase and the overall standings with a score of 171.01.

USEF Pair Horse Combined Driving National Championship

Defending-champion Wilson (Louisville, Ky.) and his own mixed KWPN and Lipizzaner pair had a smooth dressage test to finish second in the phase with a score of 55.04. They had a stellar marathon performance to win the phase, tallying 103.62 penalties and having the fastest times in six of the seven obstacles. Wilson and his pair finished second in the cones phase with six course penalties for two balls down and 2.79 time penalties, allowing them to earn their third consecutive USEF Pair Horse Combined Driving National Championship with an overall score of 167.33.

“Number 10 came up faster than I was planning, and I had to take a little bit of a wider turn than I wanted to, so I lost some time there,” Wilson said. “[The course] was well-designed and well-measured, and my horses had a nice stride so I did not have to worry about making up time; they were just comfortable on course, and I enjoyed it very much.”

Josh Rector (Dyke, Va.) and his, Jessica Buchanan, and Rainier Tanglao’s mixed pair had a workmanlike dressage test to score 70.26, finishing third in the phase. They finished second in the marathon with 106.00 and had the fastest time in obstacle three. Rector and his pair went double-clear in the cones phase to win the phase and earn Reserve Champion honors with an overall score of 176.26.

James Miller (Paris, Ky.) and wife Misdee Wrigley Miller’s Dutch Warmblood geldings had a lovely dressage test in his national championship debut, earning a score of 48.90 to win the phase. They had a respectable marathon performance, finishing third in the phase with 120.52 penalties. Miller and his pair had three balls down and 1.34 time penalties to finish third in the cones phase and third in the overall standings with a score of 182.76.

USEF Four-in-Hand Horse Combined Driving National Championship

Defending-champion Weber (Ocala, Fla.) demonstrated great style with his team, which contained new horses, to claim his 14th USEF Four-in-Hand Horse Combined Driving National Championship. He had an excellent dressage test with his, Jane Clark, and Fritz Grupe’s Dutch Warmblood geldings. They showed great harmony and performed lovely movements to score 36.51 to win the phase. They won the marathon phase with 112.96 penalties and had the fastest times in all of the obstacles. Weber and his team had one ball down at cone 18 and 2.23 time penalties to finish second in the cones phase with an overall score of 154.70.

“Today wasn’t my best day in the cones, but I was really pleased with the horses. This is the first time we have had this group together out [in competition]. There were jumps in the ring and a lot of spooky stuff that is sometimes tough with lead horses, but we learned some stuff and some questions were asked,” Weber said. “In general, I am really pleased. Our goal is Tryon [for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games] and I think we are on pace for having a successful go there.”

Misdee Wrigley Miller (Paris, Ky.) had strong performances throughout the competition on her way to earning the Reserve Champion title. She had a beautiful dressage test with her own Dutch Warmblood geldings to finish second in the phase with a score of 41.47. On marathon day, Wrigley Miller had a bobble at obstacle six, but finished strongly with 134.88 penalties to finish second once again. She and her team had two balls down at the B and D elements of cone six and 5.24 time penalties to finish third in the phase. They held on to earn the Reserve Champion title with an overall score of 187.59.

Allison Stroud (West Grove, Pa.) and Willow Star LLC’s Dutch Warmblood geldings had a great dressage test to score 51.79. They had some trouble in obstacle six and totaled 146.04 penalties in the marathon phase. Stroud and her team ended the competition on a high note by winning the cones phase with only 3.81 time penalties and finishing with an overall score of 201.64.

By Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department

Championships, Driving, FEI, USEF

Morgan Finishes Strong at 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies

September 7, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Tracey Morgan and Fuego 88 (Krisztina Horváth)

Breda, Netherlands – Tracey Morgan wrapped up a successful showing at the Singles Pony World Driving Championship Sunday with an eighth place finish in the cones phase. Morgan and her own Fuego 88 will leave Breda with a 19th place finish and score of 180.6 overall behind the 2015 World Single Pony Champion Fabian Gänshirt of Germany and World Single Pony Reserve Champion, Martin Hölle of Hungary. Gänshirt earned an overall score of 156.88 and Hölle finished with a total score of 157.55.

“I’m pleased, but I would have liked to have done better. The competition was outstanding and there were a lot of new drivers on the scene. This is the second time driving Fuego 88 in these world championships. He is a wonderful competitor. I’m looking forward to next year and defending our national championship title as well as helping to bring along new talent through the USEF Developing Drivers Program so we can compete on a team level,” said Morgan.

On Thursday, Morgan and Fuego 88 began the competition with a solid dressage test despite the extraordinary amount of mud and rain. The unpleasant conditions made it difficult for Fuego 88 to gain his footing; however, the team muscled through to earn a score of 47.49, good for eighth place. The judges had high standards as only 13 of the 32 teams scored under 50.

Morgan struggled during Saturday’s marathon phase. Unfavorable weather continued which made the course unmanageable for many drivers. Tight turns were especially hard to maneuver in the tough terrain. They finished in 24th place with a score of 130.88.

Morgan came into Sunday’s cone competition in 22nd place overall with a score of 178.37. Morgan drove Fuego 88 beautifully, even though the weather did not cooperate. They were one of nine teams who kept all the balls up, but they added 1.69 in time penalties. Five drivers completed the course perfectly.

2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies Final Results

From the USEF Communications Department

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI

Morgan Seeking Top Finish at the 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies

September 2, 2015 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Tracey Morgan and Fuego 88 (Picsofyou.com)

Breda, Netherlands – Accomplished pony driver Tracey Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) will represent the United States this week at the 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies. The championships will take place during Outdoor Brabant at the beautiful Prinsenhoeve Estate in Breda, The Netherlands, September 2-6, featuring 88 drivers from 16 nations competing across three divisions: single, pair, and pony team. Morgan will drive her own trusted partner, German Riding Pony, Fuego 88, in the single pony division. They join a field of 32 drivers all vying for the chance to be named Singles Pony Driving World Champion.

Morgan is no stranger to these championships having helped the U.S. team win Bronze in 2007 and competing in the 2009 and 2013 championships. That experience will help as she faces tough competition from returning Single Ponies Champion Martin Hölle of Hungary. However, she and Fuego 88 come into the 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies following stellar performances in national and international competitions.

In July, the combination finished third in the National Single Pony division at CAI3* Beekbergen. They reclaimed the USEF Combined Driving Single Pony National Championship and also won the CAI2*-P1 division at the Live Oak International in March. Earlier in the year, they took first in the CAI2*-P1 division at the Kingdom of the Sun CDE.

The 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies will begin on Thursday with the dressage phase. On Saturday, drivers will test their ponies’ endurance during the marathon phase. The championships conclude on Sunday with the cones phase.

Visit Outdoor Brabant for more information on the 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies, including day-to-day schedules, starting lists, score updates, and results.

From the USEF Communications Department

Championships, Dressage, Driving, FEI, USEF

US Stands Sixth after Dressage at 2013 FEI Pony World Driving Championships

November 2, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Tracey Morgan (Mary Phelps – phelpsphotos.com)

Pau, France – At the conclusion of the first phase of the 2013 FEI Pony World Driving Championships, the United States stands in sixth place on a total of 158.60. On Friday, the Single Pony competitors went to task before the Ground Jury of Klaus Christ, Anne-Marie Turbe, Diana Brownlie, and Dot Wilcoxson. On the second day of the driven dressage the United Sates was represented by Tracey Morgan and Paul Maye.

Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) drove her own Fuego 88 to a top-10 placing in the Single Pony Championship on a score of 48.77.The 2013 USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Champion looks to climb the leaderboard on Saturday’s marathon when she sets off in eighth place.

Maye (Fairfield, Va.) and Harmony Sporthorses’ Markus earned a score of 59.39 and will head onto the marathon in 19th place.

Els Broekman of The Netherlands leads the Single Pony Championship on a score of 36.67, Hungary’s Martin Holle stands second on a score of 43.01, while Germany’s Jacqueline Walter is third on a score of 43.20.

In the Team standings, The Netherlands heads onto the marathon as the early leaders on a score of 107.26, Germany stands second on a score of 122.31 and Hungary lies third on a score of 152.39.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the 2013 FEI Pony World Driving Championships, visit: http://www.couleurs-automne.com/en/welcome.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

Championships, Driving, Pony, USEF, USEF

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

April 15, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

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.

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.

“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/.