Ocala, Fla. (February 21, 2020)- The only international combined driving and show jumping tournament in the U.S. returns to Live Oak Stud, March 5-8, 2020. Live Oak International, now in its 30th year, attracts equestrian athletes and horses from more than 20 countries to Ocala each year to compete at this unique world class event.

USEF Combined Driving National Championships for All Advanced Divisions Featured at LOI

Live Oak International will again host the USEF Combined Driving National Championships for the Advanced Four-in-Hand Horse, Advanced Pair Horse, Pony Single, Pony Pair, Single Horse and Pony Four-in-Hand, as well as offer classes at the Intermediate level. Driving begins with Dressage on Thursday and Friday, continues with the Marathon on Saturday, and concludes with the Cones phase on Sunday, March 8. Co-president Chester Weber will be chasing his 17th Four-In-Hand national title.

Other notable drivers this year include crowd favorite Mary Phelps, and her “Flying Gangster” ponies. It was at Live Oak they qualified for the 2019 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies, held in Kisber Hungary. They won the Gold Medal for the cones phase, and finished 12th overall in the world. Phelps has yet to win a National Title, and is hoping this year will be her year. “Katey Whaley is a tough competitor and and will be fighting hard to stay on top,” said Phelps. “But we will make her work for it, every step of the way.”

The talented Jennifer Keeler and her amazing mare, Amazing Grace will both be competing in the Advanced Division to defend their National Championships. Keeler who migrates each winter from her home base in Lexington, Kentucky has been based at the Grand Oaks Equestrian Resort, in Weirsdale, Florida, a USEF Training location to train and compete.