Tag Archives: USEF National Single Horse Championship

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Sterling Graburn Captures USEF National Single Horse Championship

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Sterling Graburn and Ulano navigate the Hazards at Southern Pines. Photo by Pics Of You

GEORGETOWN, KY – APRIL 17, 2012 – Kentucky-based equestrian Sterling Graburn went wire-to-wire this weekend at the Southern Pines Combined Driving Event to claim his second USEF National Single Horse Championship title.

The National Championship ran concurrently with the Southern Pines CDE, which was held at the Carolina Horse Park April 13-15.

On Friday Graburn, driving the Larry Denny-owned Ulano, took the lead during the dressage phase of the championship CDE and continued to dominate the competition over the marathon and cones courses, which were contested over the remainder of the weekend. Graburn finished first overall with a final score 119.76, besting the second place finisher by more than 10 points.

The Southern Pines CDE also served as a United States Equestrian Federation Selection Trial that will determine team members for the 2012 Singles World Driving Championships, to be held in Lezirias, Portugal September 12-16.

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

Graburn Produces Wire-to-Wire Victory to Claim Second USEF National Single Horse Championship

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Sterling Graburn claims his second USEF National Championship (Picsofyou.com)

Raeford, NC – The USEF National Single Horse Championship concluded Sunday afternoon at the Carolina Horse Park, with the cones phase shaking up the final standings. Time faults and balls down proved extremely costly for competitors all day at the Southern Pines CDE, which hosted the USEF National Championship. Sterling Graburn seized the lead in the Single Horse division during Friday’s dressage and refused to relent over Richard Nicoll’s challenging marathon and cones courses to produce a wire-to-wire victory.

Graburn (Georgetown, KY) held his nerve and drove a determined, confident cones phase on the Twin Gates Farm Derby Field to claim his second USEF National Champion title. Driving Larry Denny’s Ulano, Graburn added three faults for a knock down and just .43 time penalties over Sunday’s course to complete on a score of 119.76.

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

Graburn Extends Lead in the USEF National Single Horse Championship at the Southern Pines CDE

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Sterling Graburn and Ulano (Picsofyou.com)

Raeford, NC – Competitors in the USEF National Single Horse Championship set scorching paces through Richard Nicholl’s eight obstacle marathon course. Leading times through each obstacle dipped lower and lower as the afternoon went on. Sterling Graburn, Friday’s dressage leader, posted the quickest marathon score of the division, lengthening his overall lead, and he heads into Sunday’s cone phase on a score of 116.33.

Graburn (Georgetown, KY) won today’s marathon and retained the National Championship lead, which is running in conjunction with the Southern Pines CDE, on the strength of quick smooth driving. Piloting his own Ulano, Graburn posted the leading times in hazards two and six.

The KWPN gelding was formerly a member of a Four-in-Hand team but is taking to the Singles division quite well. Graburn was pleased with his horse and their performance today barring a mishap in the final obstacle.

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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, USEF

Graburn Storms to the Front of the USEF National Single Horse Championships at the Southern Pines CDE

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Raeford, NC – Thirteen of the best U.S. drivers in the Single Horse division went to task Friday afternoon on the Twin Gates Farm Derby Field at the Carolina Horse Park. The USEF National Single Horse Championship got underway with the dressage phase under sunny skies. At the end of the first day Sterling Graburn holds a six point lead in the division.

Graburn (Georgetown, KY) drove a flashy and accurate test to score a 37.97. Graburn’s KWPN gelding, Ulano, impressed the Ground Jury with his presence and stunning gaits. Their attractive and powerful test was only marred by a few bobbles.

“I have a really, really good horse. He was very good today and really steady. We had a little impulsion problem at Live Oak but his impulsion was good today.” Said Graburn: “He is a good mover and was rewarded for that. It [the test] was steady and even without too many technical errors.”

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

Field of 14 Set to Vie for USEF National Single Horse Champion Honors at the Southern Pines CDE

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Robin Groves drives for her second National Championship title this weekend. (Picsofyou.com)

Lexington, KY – A strong field of 14 drivers is set to contest the USEF National Single Horse Championship this weekend at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC. Held in conjunction with the Southern Pines CDE, competition will run April 13-15 and will be doubly important as it also serves as a Selection Trial for the 2012 Singles World Driving Championship, which will be held in Lezirias, Portugal, September 12-16.

The National Championship competition will feature a mixture of decorated veteran drivers and rising young talent. Four previous USEF National Single Horse Champions will be contesting the 2012 edition of the event. Kim Stover (1999), Sterling Graburn (2008) and Robin Groves (2010) all look to secure their second titles, while Kelly Valdes (1996, 1998) will be in pursuit of her third USEF National Championship.

Valdes will be incredibly busy this weekend as in addition to driving she also helps to organize the Southern Pines CDE.

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