Allentown, N.J. – Competitors in the USEF Preliminary Combined Driving National Championships enjoyed a cool and sunny weekend on the rolling hills of the Horse Park of New Jersey. The Garden State Combined Driving Event hosted National Championship competitors in the Preliminary Single Pony and Preliminary Single Horse divisions among their extensive slate of classes.

Photo: Sarah Reitz and Fferm Gwenffrwd Onyx Star. ©MbDixon Photography

In the Preliminary Single Pony division, Sarah Reitz (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) drove her own Fferm Gwenffrwd Onyx Star, a 2007 Welsh Pony gelding, to victory. Tied for second place after dressage, Reitz and “Onyx” had the best marathon of the division, which put them into first-place position. With a double-clear cones phase, they secured the win, and had a great time on the way to that National Champion title, said Reitz.

“He was on lease for three years to a junior driver, and I just got him back recently,” she said. “I thought, ‘Boy, I hope Onyx remembers how I drive!’ We hit that first water and I said, ‘You just gotta go, man.’ We’re lucky to have really great ponies. They just want to perform for you. We do have a lot of fun—that’s the thing. You’ve gotta have fun!”