Katie Whaley (KY) may have been the only driver in the 3* Pair Pony Division, but her focus was squarely on her future World Championship bid in August, and she accomplished her ideal training run at Tryon International with her team. The final score for Whaley was 145.18, reflecting a sub-50 score on Dressage and a double-clear effort in Cones on Sunday. 

Finishing Spring Season on a High Note

“This was the best weekend so far with this pair,” Whaley raved. “We broke 50, which was my goal in Dressage. You know, ponies don’t get those scores! For the Marathon phase, I put Tommy back in. I’ve been saving him for Worlds, since he’s my number one pony. That was a joy to drive yesterday! We went double clear in cones today, and it doesn’t get much better than that. I feel really ready for Europe now.” 

Whaley did opt to take it easy on the White Oak Course, choosing to prioritize a slick performance over a speedy one. “Marathon was great, and smooth. I didn’t push them. I just wanted to be smooth. We didn’t touch a post, didn’t have a knockdown… So it was great.”

Whaley concluded that her Tryon International experience was a top-tier way to prepare for her future goals, as one of the top venues for Combined Driving in the nation. “Besides Live Oak, they’re probably in a tie for the two best shows. The Katydid CDE is very professionally run, and I always knew what was going on. It’s a pleasure to show here. I’m just thrilled,” she concluded. “I’m really finishing my spring season on a high note. So I’m really excited.”

Back to Work

With Katydid/Tryon under her belt Whaley goes back to her studio in Paris, Kentucky producing her world famous Hats By Katie. The following week at the Landrover Kentucky Three Day event she is always an exhibitor.  She has her hands full preparing her latest creations for the Kentucky Derby and multiple fashion shows coming up. What began as a way of dressing the driving ladies in magnificent hats for coaching and driven dressage, has expanded into the huge demand for high fashion hats. What better place to have her business than next to Lexington, Kentucky with the Derby fast approaching?

While Whaley is no stranger to the international stage she has not competed in a Pony World Championships, since Minden, Germany in 2017 where she finished 9th overall in an international field of the best ponies and pony drivers in the world. 

Funding her passion for the sport she has thrived in for a lifetime, she has her eye on the prize competing for the US at the FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies, Oirschot 2023, August 30-September 3.