Tag Archives: Lisa Stroud

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, World Equestrian Games

Stroud and Wrigley Miller Put In Strong Tests on First Day of Driving at WEG

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Lisa Stroud (Hippo Foto Team – Dirk Caremans)

Caen, France – The 2014 FEI World Team and Individual for Four-in-Hands Driving Championship, held as part of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, got underway with 23 drivers performing their dressage tests. The U.S. sent two drivers before the Ground Jury of Klaus Christ (GER), Andrew Counsell (GBR), Anne-Marie Turbe (FRA), Joaquin Medina (ESP), and Pia Skar (DEN). Both Misdee Wrigley Miller and Lisa Stroud are making their Four-in-Hand World Championship debut this week and did not disappoint in the first phase.

Stroud (West Grove, Pa.) had a solid performance for her dressage test on Thursday, highlighted by quality extended trot and halts. Her team of Dutch Warmblood geldings owned by Willow Star LLC and Koos de Ronde stayed attentive to Stroud’s aids, helping to earn a score of 56.10 to put Stroud in ninth place after the first day of competition. This feat was all the more impressive considering she has only worked with the team since January of this year.

“I was very excited. I thought my horses absolutely went into the ring; they were focused, and they gave their full attention. Today I felt like they were with me right down to the last halt,” Stroud said. “I had a couple little breaks in the walk with their enthusiasm, but I will take that because everything else they gave me was perfect. I’m really happy.”

Wrigley Miller (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) was the first American competitor to head into the driving stadium at the La Prairie Racecourse, driving her own team of KWPN geldings to a score of 58.05. Wrigley Miller only began driving a team of horses in December 2013, but has continued to build form in each competition, and her World Championship debut on Thursday was no different as she performed the best test of her Four-in-Hand career.

“I was really pleased; the horses really came together. This was the best test all year,” said Wrigley Miller, who is enjoying competing at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. “I’m very, very excited; I’m a bit overwhelmed by it. As soon as I trotted in I thought this is it. I’m here, let’s enjoy it.”

After the first day of dressage, Wrigley Miller stands in 13th place.

The dressage portion of the 2014 FEI World Team and Individual for Four-in-Hands Driving Championship concludes on Friday and the U.S. will be represented by Chester Weber at 2:50pm local time.

By Kathleen Landwehr

To learn more about the FEI World Team and Individual for Four-in-Hands Driving Championship at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, visit: http://www.normandy2014.com/2014-games/the-disciplines/4/driving.

Follow the U.S. Driving Team here.

Driving, USEF

US Eyes Victory at the Saumur CAIO4*

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Chester Weber on his way to a win in Saumur last year (Photo Courtesy of Chester Weber)

Saumur, France – The United States has fielded an exciting team for this week’s Saumur CAIO4*, which will run June 5-9, in Saumur, France. Chester Weber, Lisa Stroud, and Misdee Wrigley-Miller have their sights set on top Team and Individual placings in Four-in-Hand competition, while Laurie Astegiano will represent the U.S. as an Individual in the Pony Team division.

Weber (Ocala, Fla.) heads to Saumur on strong form after claiming victory at the Royal Windsor Horse Show two weeks ago. He will look to display the form that has earned him 11 National Four-in-Hand Titles, as well as multiple World Championship Team and Individual medals, over the weekend.

Stroud (West Grove, Penn.) has vast experience in the Pony Team ranks, having garnered nine National Titles and Team and Individual World Championship medals. In 2014, she has stepped up to the Four-in-Hand ranks and spent the last few months competing in Europe, contesting the Horst CAI3* and the Windsor CAI3*.

Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.), the 2014 Four-in-Hand Reserve National Champion and 2012 USEF National Pairs Champion, also began driving in Four-in-Hand competition this year, having joined Weber and Stroud in Windsor two weeks ago.

Rounding out the U.S. effort in Saumur is Astegiano (Roussac, France), who was the winner of the Pony Team division at last year’s premier French driving competition. As she tries to earn a repeat victory, she will look to display the form that has earned her two Team Bronze medals at the World Championships.

Learn more about the Saumur CAIO4* here: http://www.saumur.org/cai/accueil-gb.html.

Follow the U.S. Driving Team here.

Championships, Dressage, Driving, FEI, USEF

US Pony Drivers Land in Top 12 after First Day of 2013 FEI Pony World Driving Championships

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Jennifer Matheson (Mary Phelps – phelpsphotos.com)

Pau, France – The 2013 FEI Pony World Driving Championships kicked off Thursday with the first of two days of driven dressage. Pair Pony and Pony Team drivers took their first steps toward world titles as they performed their tests in front of the Ground Jury composed of Klaus Christ, Anne-Marie Turbe, Diana Brownlie, and Dot Wilcoxson. U.S. competitors got off to a strong start with all four drivers cruising into the top 12 in their respective championships.

Pair Pony Championship

Leading off the U.S. effort on Thursday was Jennifer Matheson (Aiken, S.C.) and her mother-in-law Katrina Becker’s talented pair as the first American competitors into the arena. The reigning USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Champion drove to a score of 52.10 to stand sixth in the Pair Pony Championship after the first phase.

Right behind Matheson in seventh place is U.S. teammate Wendy O’Brien (Aiken, S.C.) on a score of 54.14. The 2012 National Champion once again drove her own talented ponies to lay within striking distance of the leaders when everyone heads onto the marathon on Saturday.

Ewoud Boom of the Netherlands leads the Pair Championship after the driven dressage with a score of 36.48. Standing in second place is Germany’s Dieter Baackmann on 37.70 and Marco Fruend of Germany holds third place on a 42.24.

Lisa Stroud (Mary Phelps - phelpsphotos.com)
Lisa Stroud (Mary Phelps – phelpsphotos.com)

Pony Team Championship

Nine-time National Champion, Lisa Stroud (West Grove, Pa.) drove her trademark team of white ponies to a score of 57.73 as the first U.S. driver into the arena during the afternoon session. Stroud, who is looking to secure her third World Championship Team medal this weekend, will head out onto the marathon in eighth place.

Katie Whaley (Paris, Ky.) was the final U.S. competitor of the day, driving into 11th place in the Pony Team Championship with Mia Allo’s team on a score of 60.5. The 2003 and 2005 World Championship veteran will look to showcase the strong form that has propelled her and Allo’s ponies to top finishes in Europe over the summer.

The Netherlands holds the top two places after the dressage with Bram Chardon leading on 34.11 and Jan De Boer sitting in second on a score of 37.31. Tobias Bucker of Germany stands third with a score of 41.41.

Driven dressage comes to a conclusion on Friday with the Single Pony Championship, where the U.S. will be represented by Tracey Morgan at 10:45am local time and Paul Maye at 2:50pm local time.

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

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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.

Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)
Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)

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.

Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)
Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)

“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/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

Championships, Driving, Pony, USEF, USEF

Maye, Matheson and Stroud Dominate Marathon Phase at Southern Pines CDE as Sights Are Set on National Championships

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Paul Maye (Picsofyou.com)

Raeford, NC – The marathon phase proved extremely influential at the Southern Pines CDE as the leaderboards across the competition saw great shake-ups. In the USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship, Paul Maye drove a consistent and determined second phase to seize the two-day lead on a score of 126.39. While in the USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship, Jennifer Matheson will head into the cones as the leader with a score of 136.25. Lisa Stroud maintained her dressage lead in the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship and stands on a total of 165.87. All three current leaders were the marathon winners in their respective divisions.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

Maye (Fairfield, VA) drove like a man on a mission over the eight hazard course guiding Harmony Sport Horses’ Markus to a marathon score of 77.96. The 2012 National Championships won hazards one, four and seven to hold a four point lead going into the cones phase.

“He was wonderful, he did everything I asked him to do,” said Maye of his 12-year-old German Sport Pony stallion. “He got me out of trouble in a couple places and he finished very strong.”

Lying second heading into the cones are Tracey Morgan (Beallsville, MD) and Fuego 88 with a two-day total of 130.59.

Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)
Jennifer Matheson (Picsofyou.com)

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

Matheson (Aiken, SC) posted the quickest times in five of the hazards on Saturday. On the marathon the 2010 and 2011 National Champion drove Bax and Cees together for the first time with great success as she posted a score of 86.86 for the phase.

“I thought the marathon went well. It’s a new combination,” said Matheson.  “I’m really happy with how it went.”

Wendy O’Brien (Aiken, SC) the 2012 National Championship and Friday’s dressage leader currently lies second on a score of 140.77.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

Stroud (West Grove, PA) won the dressage phase of the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship on a score of 50.24 and lengthened her lead with a strong marathon phase. The reigning National Champion won five hazards (one, three, four, five and six) to earn a marathon score of 115.63.

“I like that there were eight hazards here; it’s very technically challenging and very tight for a Team. Overall it was very well built and so welcoming. The volunteers and committee make it a competitor friendly show. When you wake up and are excited there’s nothing better,” said Stroud of the Southern Pines CDE. “I was thrilled with the dressage; I was hoping to break 50 this spring and I did 50.24 (yesterday), so I’ll take the .24.”

Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)
Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)

Stroud heads into the cones phase with a nearly 22 point lead as she vies to earn her 10th National Title.

Sitting in second place overnight is Heather Schneider (Palm City, FL) with a score of 187.24.

Competition concludes for all divisions with the final cones phase on Sunday.

For Orders of Go and Results, visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/.

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

Championships, Dressage, Driving, Pony, USEF, USEF

Stafford, O’Brien and Stroud Get the Early Jump on National Titles Following Dressage at the Southern Pines CDE

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Suzy Stafford (Picsofyou.com)

Raeford, NC – The first day of competition at the Southern Pines CDE came to a close with pony drivers taking their first steps towards earning National Titles as they performed their dressage tests. National Championship competitors were fortunate to enjoy sunny skies, as CDE competitors following the lunch break were met with a deluge of rain. In the USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship Suzy Stafford leads the field after scoring 45.23 in the first phase. Wendy O’Brien heads into Saturday’s marathon with a six point lead after scoring 43.31 in the USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship. The USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship was the final division of the day and saw Lisa Stroud jump out to the first day lead on a score of 50.24.

USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Championship

OBrien-dr1_1304
Wendy O’Brien (Picsofyou.com)

Stafford (Wilmington, DE) and Wendy O’Brien’s TTE Tea Time drove as the final competitors in the division and set the tone from the very start of the test. The Individual Silver medalist from the 2011 FEI World Driving Championships for Combined Ponies utilized her years of experience to produce a consistent and precise effort with the nine-year-old Morgan gelding.

Lying second are the 2012 USEF National Combined Driving Single Pony Champions, Paul Maye (Fairfield, VA) and Harmony Sport Horses’ Markus. The 12-year-old German Sport Pony stallion earned a score of 48.43.

USEF National Combined Driving Pair Pony Championship

O’Brien (Aiken, SC) drove her own Braakmoor Clowny Clark (a 15-year-old Welsh gelding) and Braakmoor Conan (a 14-year-old Welsh gelding) in the first phase as she looks to retain her National Title from 2012. The pair of ponies demonstrated powerful and expressive gaits but a few bobbles cost them valuable marks.

Heading to the marathon in second place is Jennifer Matheson on a score of 49.39. Matheson (Aiken, SC) drove Katrina Becker’s Bax and Danyloo in the first phase.

USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship

In the dressage, Stroud (West Grove, PA) drove her own Sir Patrick (a 14-year-old Connemara gelding), With Flair (a 14-year-old Welsh gelding), Kilkerin Edward (a 16-year-old Welsh gelding) and Mystic (a 13-year-old New Forest Pony gelding). The nine-time National Champion had a consistent test, highlighted by relaxed walk work. She will head out onto the marathon with a six-point lead.

Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)
Lisa Stroud (Picsofyou.com)

In second place in the USEF National Combined Driving Pony Team Championship is Heather Schneider (Palm City, FL) who drove her own Rambo, Patrick, Cloud 9 and Jazz to a score of 56.64.

Competition continues for all divisions with the marathon on Saturday.

For Orders of Go and Results, visit: http://drivingnews.us/results/results2013/SouthernPines/.

To learn more about the Southern Pines CDE, visit: http://southernpinescdedotcom.wordpress.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.

By Helen Murray

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, USEF

Day Three: FEI World Pony Driving Championships – U.S. Maintains Bronze Medal Position

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Shelly Temple and LR Ami B-Line (Photos: Marie de Ronde)

The U.S. Pony Drivers had another successful day in Lipica, Slovenia at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships. As a team they forged through difficult marathon conditions to lie third in the standings heading into Sunday’s finale. Germany leads comfortably with a combined score of 345.01, with The Netherlands sitting the Silver medal position on 360.39. On 382.08, the U.S has a wide margin over the fourth-placed British team.

Single Pony Championship

Less than 10 points separate the top nine ponies in the Single Pony Championship, three of which are Americans. Individual driver Suzy Stafford (Wilmington, DE) was the Individual Bronze medalist in 2009, will attempt to drive her way back in to the individual medals again on Sunday. She currently is fourth with Josephine. Shelly Temple, who drives LR Ami B-Line (Windsor, SC), and Miranda Cadwell, who drives Kabam (Southern Pines, NC), are in eighth and ninth respectively, with less than half a point separating the two American drivers.

Continue reading Day Three: FEI World Pony Driving Championships – U.S. Maintains Bronze Medal Position →