Meet the US Athletes for the FEI World Driving for Singles in Kronenberg, The Netherlands

 

The U.S. contingent has arrived at the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles with a strong, seasoned group prepared for high-caliber international competition. Running Wednesday, August 29 through Sunday, September 2, in Kronenberg, The Netherlands, Chef d'Equipe Heather Briggs will guide the U.S. team of Jacob Arnold, Donna Crookston, and Jennifer "Nifty" Hamilton in pursuit of a respectable team finish. They will be joined by Vernon Helmuth, who will compete as an individual.

Jacob Arnold from Snow Camp, N.C., driving Uminco, Leslie Berndl's 17-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding. ©picsofyou.com

Jacob Arnold (Goshen, KY) is the 2018 USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving Reserve National Champion, two-time FEI World Driving Championships for Singles competitor (2018 and 2014), 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs competitor, and member of the USEF Combined Driving Program for Elite Athletes. Arnold and Uminco won the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 Test Event CAI2*-H1 in April, preceded by earning the 2018 USEF Advanced Single Horse Reserve National Championship at the Southern Pines CDE in April and winning the Live Oak International CAI2*-H1 in March.

Donna Crookston from Saltsburg, Pa., driving Viktor, her 10-year-old Dutch Harness gelding. ©picsofyou.com

Donna Crookston is a five-time FEI World Driving Championships for Singles competitor (2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010), 2017 USEF Single Horse Combined Driving Reserve National Champion, and member of the USEF Combined Driving Program for Elite Athletes.

With Viktor, Crookston won the Hermitage Classic CDE CAI2*-H1 in early August and placed second in the Bromont International CDE CAI2*-H1 in June.

Jennifer "Nifty" Hamilton and Makari Design placed fifth in the Le Pin au Haras, France CAI3*-H1 in July.

They won the Bromont International CDE CAI2*-H1 in June and the Southern Pines CDE CAI2*-H1 in April, while placing second in the Live Oak International CAI2*-H1 in March and Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades CAI2*-H1 in January.

Jennifer "Nifty" Hamilton from Alva, Fla., driving Makari Design, the 10-year-old KWPN gelding she owns with Milton Hamilton. ©picsofyou.com

In 2017, Hamilton had a perfect record, winning every competition entered. Hamilton is the 2017 and 2018 USEF Single Horse Combined Driving National Champion and member of the USEF Combined Driving Program for Elite Athletes.

Vernon Helmuth (Lodi, Calif.), will be driving as an individual for the US FEI World Driving Championships for Singles. A 2017 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs competitor, will drive Firminus, Peter Hüls's eight-year-old KWPN gelding. They placed in the top 25 at the Chablis, France CAI3*-H1 and Altenfelden International Driving Event CAI3*-H1 in June.

Meet the US Para Drivers

Schedule

Horse Inspection

Competitors and Horses

Timetable

Schedule For Dressage ​