Weirsdale, FL. – Competitors in the USEF Preliminary Combined Driving National Championships displayed their skill at the Grand Oaks Combined Driving Event (CDE). Barbara Sims, Phillip Odden, and Raymond Helmuth took home national championship titles in their respective divisions after delivering top performances at the Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale, Fla.

USEF Preliminary Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship

Barbara Sims (Windsor, S.C.) and Erresistible lead from start to finish to earn the USEF Preliminary Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship title. They won the dressage phase with a beautiful test, earning 45.34 penalty points from the judges. Sims and her 12-year-old Dutch Harness mare laid down a strong marathon phase, tallying 50.99 penalty points. The duo had one ball down in the cones phase but held onto their lead, winning the overall title with a score of 99.33 penalty points.

“We won the Tryon CDE in September and that was [an American Driving Society] national championship. It was the last full CDE we did and we won that, so we knew we were probably one of the top contenders,” said Sims of her progress with Erresistible. “She is just a really nice moving pony with a lot of suspension. On top of that, she is a lover. She wants to be with you; She wants to be a pocket pony.”

Jackie Kane (Hudson, Mass.) and Prairie Song Fletcher claimed the reserve national champion title due to their consistent performances. Kane and her 12-year-old Welsh Pony gelding scored 57.95 penalty points in the dressage phase, then won the marathon phase after collecting 49.53 penalty points. They added 1.07 time penalties in the cones phase to finish on an overall score of 108.55 penalty points.

Denise Loewe (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and GoGo Prince Grayjoy finished third overall in the division, starting the competition off by scoring 59.73 penalty points in the dressage phase. Loewe and her 5-year-old Welsh Pony gelding tallied 53.40 penalty points in the marathon phase. They finished on a high note by winning the cones phase with a double-clear round, ending on an overall score of 113.13 penalty points.