Tag Archives: Leslie Berndl

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving

Live Oak International Set to Host Four USEF Combined Driving National Championships

Leave a comment

Leslie Berndl and Sweetwater’s Zorah Belle (Picsofyou.com)

Ocala, Fla. – Four combined driving national championship titles are up for grabs at Live Oak International, March 8-12. Run in conjunction with the FEI divisions, the USEF Combined Driving National Championships for single pony, pair pony, pair horse, and four-in-hand horse will be determined at the prestigious Live Oak Plantation. Leslie Berndl, Katie Whaley, Steve Wilson, and Chester Weber are the defending champions in their respective divisions and aim to give winning performances. With the FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs and Ponies taking place this summer, pair horse and pony competitors also hope to impress selectors in one of the final selection trials in North America.

USEF Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship

A field of nine seasoned competitors will converge in the hotly contested USEF Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship. Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.) brings Sweetwater’s Zorah Belle with hopes of adding another title to their resume. She and “Zoobie”, Teressa Kandianis’ 2004 Norwegian Fjord Horse mare, closed out a successful 2016 season by winning the USEF Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship at the Kentucky Classic CDE. They are set to kick off another solid season, but Tracey Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) and Fuego 88 will provide tough competition. She and her own 2011 German Riding Pony gelding are world champion competitors and were last year’s reserve champions.

USEF Pair Pony Combined Driving National Championship

The 2016 champion, Katie Whaley (Paris, Ky.), will lead a small but mighty field of three competing for the USEF Pair Pony Combined Driving National Championship. She and her own and Barbara Sims’ Welsh geldings had a commanding performance at Kentucky Classic CDE last fall to claim the national title, and they have maintained their top form this year, winning the CAI2*-P2 division at the Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades. Jennifer Matheson (Aiken, S.C.) and Mary Phelps (Columbia, Ky.) will be hot on Whaley’s heels with their talented ponies.

USEF Pair Horse Combined Driving National Championship

A field of three will also contest the USEF Pair Horse Combined Driving National Championship. Defending champion Steve Wilson (Louisville, Ky.) and his own mixed KWPN and Lipizzaner pair aim to win their third consecutive national title. They began the 2017 season with a win at the Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades, and hope to maintain their momentum at Live Oak International. Joining Wilson are Josh Rector (Dyke, Va.), a four-in-hand driver shifting focus to the pair horse division in 2017, and James Miller (Sarasota, Fla.), a promising driver in his first year of competing in combined driving.

Chester Weber (Picsofyou.com)

USEF Four-in-Hand Horse Combined Driving National Championship

Among a field of four seasoned drivers, Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) aims to win his 14th title in the USEF Four-in-Hand Horse Combined Driving National Championship in front of his hometown crowd. He and his and Jane Clark’s Dutch Warmblood geldings won all of their U.S. competitions and finished in the top five in their European competitions in 2016. They put in a winning performance at the Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades to start 2017. Weber will face stiff competition from Allison Stroud (West Grove, Pa.) and Misdee Wrigley Miller (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.), his 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games teammates, and Paul Maye (Fairfield, Va.), an experienced driver who has found success after changing his focus to the four-in-hand horse division less than a year ago.

Watch the live stream of all classes taking place in the Competition Arena at Live Oak International beginning Thursday at 9 a.m. ET.

By Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department

Championships, Driving, USEF, USEF

Berndl and Whaley Earn USEF Pony Driving National Championship Titles

Leave a comment

Leslie Berndl and Sweetwater’s Zorah Belle (Picsofyou.com)

Lexington, Ky. – A lovely weekend at the Kentucky Classic CDE played host to the 2016 USEF Pony Driving National Championships. Held October 6-9 at the Kentucky Horse Park, the championships crowned two National Champions: Leslie Berndl and Katie Whaley, along with their talented ponies.

USEF Single Pony Driving National Championship

Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.) and Sweetwater’s Zorah Belle began their quest for a national title with a lovely dressage test to win the phase with a score of 53.69 from the Ground Jury of Anne-Marie Turbe (FRA), Elimar Thunert (GER), and Kail Palmer-Miller (USA). Berndl boldly drove Teressa Kandianis’ 2004 Norwegian Fjord mare in the marathon phase, having the fastest times in four of the seven obstacles designed by Richard Nicoll (USA). They won the phase and added 86.19 penalties to their score. Despite the fact that less than three points separated first and second place, Berndl and Sweetwater’s Zorah Belle kept their cool in the cones phase to have a double-clear round and earn the USEF Single Pony Driving National Championship title with a final score of 139.88.

“The whole championship was wonderful. We drove out from California; it’s 49 hours. She is an inexperienced pony with traveling, but she handled the trip really well,” Berndl explained. “The dressage was super; I was really, really happy with her in a hard test. The marathon was very challenging, especially for a smaller pony because she is only 13.2 hands. She handled the marathon like it was nothing. In the cones, it was a long course and I really wanted to make sure to keep the speed up. We went in with 2.58 points separating us from Tracey [Morgan], who is a National Champion already, so there was a lot of pressure and I just had to guide her around and let her do it; she stayed calm and cool. She gave 100% of everything she had in every phase.”

Two-time National Champion Tracey Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) and longtime partner Fuego 88 collected Reserve Champions honors after an excellent performance throughout the weekend, beginning with a smooth dressage test that scored 54.04. Morgan and her own 2001 German Riding Pony gelding were determined on the marathon course, having a bobble in obstacle three but rallying to finish with 88.42 penalties. They ended the competition with an impressive double-clear cones round to win the phase and solidify their Reserve Champion title with a final score of 142.46.

Rebecca Gutierrez (Windsor, S.C.) and Naria BW6, Richard Olson’s 2003 Haflinger mare, finished in third place with a final score of 152.44. The duo scored 61.51 in the dressage phase and collecting 90.02 and 0.91 in the marathon and cones phases, respectively.

USEF Pair Pony Driving National Championship

Whaley (Paris, Ky.) drove her own and Barbara Sims’ Welsh geldings to win her first USEF Pair Pony Driving National Championship title, winning each of the phases along the way. She had a wonderful dressage test, scoring 49.67 to take the early lead. Whaley attacked the marathon course with her pair and had the fastest times in all of the obstacles, collecting 90.25 penalties. They delivered another quality performance in the cones phase with a single ball down at obstacle nine for 3.00 penalties, winning the championship with a final score of 142.92.

Katie Whaley (Picsofyou.com)
Katie Whaley (Picsofyou.com)

“They were amazing. These two [Tommy and Tanner] are full brothers and they do marathon and cones, but my newest one [Night Flyer] that I have borrowed from a friend, Barbara Sims, this was his first competition as a pair in the dressage and he was a machine,” Whaley said of her ponies. “The dressage is what I was really concentrating on and that was the best score I have gotten in a very long time, so that was really fun. The marathon I hit about three-quarters speed because I was trying stuff with them and I just wanted to keep them quiet, and they were great, and the cones phase was good.”

Jennifer Matheson (Aiken, S.C.) and Katrina Becker and Mary Anne Boyden’s mixed pair began the championship with a respectable dressage test for a score of 58.13. Matheson and the ponies had a solid marathon performance, collecting 102.42 penalties and finishing second in the phase. They closed out the competition with three balls down in the cones phase for 12.00 penalties, finishing second in the phase and obtaining Reserve Champion honors.

Find out more about the Kentucky Classic CDE and view the complete results.

From the USEF Communications Department

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, USEF

Berndl Retains USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship Title with Supreme Effort at Southern Pines CDE

Leave a comment

Leslie Berndl (PicsofYou.com)

Raeford, N.C. – The 2014 USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday in the cones phase of the Southern Pines CDE. On another beautiful day at the Carolina Horse Park, 2013 Champion, Leslie Berndl, held her nerve to drive a near flawless effort over Richard Nicoll’s cones course to retain the title.

Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.) and 13-year-old KWPN gelding Uminco were the final competitors to tackle the cones course in the championship finishing within the time allowed and only dislodging two balls to add six points to their overall score. They finished on a total of 119.67 on weekend that surpassed expectation for the World Championship veteran.

“It was amazing, just amazing,” said the back-to-back Champion of her time at the Southern Pines CDE.

Berndl spent the winter training and competing in Florida and came to the Carolina Horse Park with her sights firmly set on claiming the 2014 title.

“It doesn’t feel real,” said of Berndl of winning the USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship for the second time.

Earning Reserve Champion honors was Suzy Stafford (Wilmington, Del.) and PVF Peace of Mind on a score of 122.43. The 2011 FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies Individual Silver medalist and her own seven-year-old Morgan mare added 2.8 time faults and three penalties for a single ball down on the cones course to finish less three points behind Berndl.

Finishing in overall third place were Donna Crookston (Saltsburg, Pa.) and her own 18-year-old Morgan gelding RG Cowboy’s Black Cadillac on score of 140, rising one place after the marathon as the only entry to drive double clear on the cones course in the Single Horse division.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://www.carolinahorsepark.com/events/driving/2014/4/southern-pines-combined-driving-event-national-single-horse-championship.

Follow the U.S. Driving Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving, USEF

Berndl Maintains Overall Lead in USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship, as Stafford Wins Marathon

Leave a comment

Leslie Berndl (PicsofYou.com)

Raeford, N.C. – The marathon phase of the USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship, which is being held in conjunction with the Southern Pines CDE, proved to be a back-and-forth battle between two of America’s most experienced drivers. Leslie Berndl and Suzy Stafford traded quick times through Richard Nicoll’s eight-obstacle marathon course on a picturesque day at the Carolina Horse Park. While Stafford was able to capture victory on the marathon, it is Berndl who will drive last in the cones as the leader of the National Championship at the conclusion of two phases of competition.

Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.) and her own 13-year-old KWPN gelding, Uminco, headed onto the marathon with the overnight lead after winning the dressage with a score of 34.24, and a 4.65 lead over Stafford. The 2013 USEF National Single Horse Driving Champions posted competitive scores throughout each hazard including driving the fastest time in obstacle two and placing second in obstacle four. Additionally, they continued their pursuit to back-to-back titles by driving the third quickest times in obstacles one, five, six, seven, and eight on their way to finishing the marathon on a score of 79.43 in second place.

Berndl heads into the final cones phase on a total score of 113.67, giving her more than a three-point cushion over the field.

Stafford (Wilmington, Del.) and her own PVF Peace of Mind currently stand in second place in the Championship with score of 117.35. The three-time USEF Single Pony Champion, utilized her vast experience with the seven-year-old Morgan as they won the first and third obstacles, and posted second-place scores in obstacles five, six, and seven. On their way to winning Saturday’s marathon on a score of 78.76, the Live Oak International winners also placed third in obstacle four.

Kate Shields (Middleburg, Va.) held her third place overall standing with her own 13-year-old Welsh Cob gelding, Hastening Winslow, on a two-day score of 138.78, after placing seventh on the marathon with a score of 95.64.

Championship competition comes to a close on Sunday with the cones phase.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://www.carolinahorsepark.com/events/driving/2014/4/southern-pines-combined-driving-event-national-single-horse-championship.

Follow the U.S. Driving Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Driving, USEF

Berndl Takes First Step in Defending USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship Title at Southern Pines CDE

Leave a comment

Leslie Berndl and Uminco (PicsofYou.com)

Raeford, N.C. – Competition at the Southern Pines CDE officially got underway on Friday at the Carolina Horse Park with the USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship closing out the day. Following the completion of the dressage phase, Leslie Berndl holds the early lead after an impressive test that earned high marks from the Ground Jury of Peter Bonhof and Martha Hanks Nicoll.

Reigning National Champion, Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.), entered the ring on a mission, looking to head out on Saturday’s marathon in pole position. Driving her own 13-year-old KWPN gelding Uminco, she produced a flowing performance which was highlighted by powerful trot-work and solid transitions to score 34.24.

Berndl and Uminco will head onto the marathon with more than a four-point lead over the rest of the field.

Driving into second place on Friday were Suzy Stafford and PVF Peace of Mind on a score of 38.59. The 2011 FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies Individual Silver medalist and her own seven-year-old Morgan mare lay within striking distance of clinching their first USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship title with two phases left to drive after an expressive test on Friday.

Kate Shields (Middleburg, Va.) drove her own 13-year-old Welsh Cob gelding, Hastening Winslow, into third place on Friday with a score of 43.14.

Competition continues Saturday as drivers head out onto Richard Nicoll’s marathon course.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://www.carolinahorsepark.com/events/driving/2014/4/southern-pines-combined-driving-event-national-single-horse-championship.

Follow the U.S. Driving Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving, USEF

Weber Wins Unprecedented 10th USEF National Four-In-Hand Championship

Leave a comment

Chester Weber, 10 Time USEF National Four-in-Hand Driving Champion (Pics of You)

Berndl Wins First National Singles Championship

Lexington, KY – Rain fell for most of Sunday morning at the Kentucky Classic CDE; it fell so hard that Competition would eventually be stopped, but not before two individual drivers hit career milestones. Leslie Berndl earned her first USEF National Single Horse Driving Championship, and Chester Weber made it an official decade of dominance with his impressive and unprecedented tenth USEF National Four-in-Hand Driving Championship.

National Four in Hand Driving Championship

Weber (Ocala, Florida) held a sixteen penalty lead heading into Sunday’s cones phase. By guiding his and Jane Clark’s team of Dutch Warmbloods deftly through the obstacles he emerged from the ring with 9.06 penalties, and his tenth USEF Four-in-Hand National Championship. For Weber it’s another feather in the cap of an already very successful season. With his success in Europe over the summer, a 2014 WEG test event win at CAI-Caen, a win at CAIO Saumur, and top three finishes at Beekbergen and Aachen, this landmark national championship makes Weber’s 2013 campaign one of the best in recent memory.

Weber finished on a total score of 141.20. Finishing second was Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, New Jersey) on a score of 173.95.

Leslie Berndl, USEF National Single Horse Driving Champion (Pics of You)
Leslie Berndl, USEF National Single Horse Driving Champion (Pics of You)

National Single Horse Driving Championship

Leslie Berndl also held a double digit lead entering the cones. She and Uminco held onto that advantage and emerged from the rain as USEF National Single Horse Driving Champions. Berndl (Newcastle, California) earned an 11.00, good for third place in the phase, and finished with a 141.53 total score. She was second in the dressage phase, second on the marathon, and the most consistently good single horse competitor over the entire weekend. This is Leslie Berndl’s first National Championship. Umnico was driven to a National Single Horse Championship in 2009, also at the Kentucky Classic CDE, by his owner Fritz Grupe.

Finishing first in the cones phases were Donna Crookston (Saltsburg, Pennsylvania) and Cowboy’s Black Cadillac. They scored a 3.00 and moved up from third place after the marathon to second place in the end with a final score of 155.29. Second on the cones and third overall were Sara Schmitt (Flemington, New Jersey) and Savannah. Their final score was 160.80.

For complete final scores, click here.

By Andrew Minnick

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving, USEF

Berndl Takes Over Single Horse Driving National Championship Lead

Leave a comment

Leslie Berndl guiding Uminco through the Head of the Lake hazard (Pics of You)

Weber Stays on Top of Four-in-Hand Championship Chase

Lexington, KY – A good crowd turned out at the Kentucky Horse Park Saturday to watch the marathon phase of the Kentucky Classic CDE. When the driving was done and the spectators had left Leslie Berndl had taken a big step into the lead in the single horse division. In the four-in-hand division, Chester Weber’s path toward a tenth Four-in-Hand National Championship has become a little clearer.

USEF Single Horse National Championship

Berndl (Newcastle, California) started off hot Saturday morning behind Dutch Warmblood gelding Uminco and her consistent driving over the entire course helped her take the lead in the division. Berndl was in second place coming into the day, having been bested by less than one point in the dressage phase on Thursday, and right away she looked to make up that difference. Of the eight hazards, Berndl was fastest through the first two and second best through another four. She finished the marathon in second place with an 84.24 score and now sits in first place with a total score of 130.53. 1999 National Champion Kimberly Stover (Smyrna, Delaware) is the closest to Berndl. She sits in second with 148.80.

Sara Schmitt (Flemington, New Jersey) won the marathon driving Savannah and is now in fourth place overall.

Chester Weber in the Bowl hazard at the Kentucky Classic CDE (Pics of You)
Chester Weber in the Bowl hazard at the Kentucky Classic CDE (Pics of You)

USEF Four-in-Hand National Championship

After a narrow victory in the marathon, Chester Weber is poised to earn a record setting tenth National Championship. Weber (Ocala, Florida) was first four-in-hand driver on the marathon course with the team of his own and Jane Clark’s Boris, Splash, Boy W, and Ultra. To the delight of a flock of fans following him from hazard to hazard, he proved to be the day’s best. Weber’s 98.40 gave him a slight edge over Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, New Jersey), who finished with a 98.89 behind the team of Charlie Brown, Kavango V. Falkenstein, Valentino, and Zenden.

Thanks to a great score in the dressage on Thursday, Weber carries a significant overall lead into Sunday’s final cones phase. His 132.14 score after two phases is more than 16 points ahead of Fairclough’s 148.95 total score.

Casey Zubek (Manhattan Illinois) is in third with a 261.80 score.

Full marathon results are online here.

See overall standings here.

By Andrew Minnick

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Driving, Events, JRPR

Bettina Scherer, Boots Wright and Leslie Berndl Win WDG Triple Crown of Combined Driving

Leave a comment
Leslie Berndl, one of the winners of the World Development Group Triple Crown. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)

Wellington, FL (May 4, 2012) – Three talented combined drivers drove away as winners of the World Development Group sponsored Triple Crown, after edging out their competitors by earning the highest score at three events – the Live Oak International CDE, Sunshine State CDE and the Little Everglades CDE. The World Development Group, a premier developer committed to building the equestrian lifestyle in Wellington and around the world, sponsored the Triple Crown that culminated at the Live Oak competition in Ocala.

Bettina Scherer, who won the Preliminary division, said, “I competed my Welsh pony Rio in the three combined driving events and won the Triple Crown for the Preliminary Single Pony.  I didn’t set out with a plan to capture the Triple Crown, I knew that you had to compete at all three events, but I am thrilled to have won.” Boots Wright the Intermediate division and Leslie Berndl was the FEI Winner.

Continue reading Bettina Scherer, Boots Wright and Leslie Berndl Win WDG Triple Crown of Combined Driving →