Raeford, N.C. – The 2016 USEF Single Horse Driving National Championship began Friday with the dressage phase at the Southern Pines CDE. A field of seven drivers performed their dressage tests in front of the Ground Jury of Sarah Mullins (IRL), Debbie Banfield (USA), and Sem Groenewoud (USA) at the Caroline Horse Park. Defending champion Suzy Stafford leads with PVF Peace of Mind on a score of 37.60.

Stafford (Wilmington, Del.) drove a lovely test with her own PVF Peace of Mind to sit atop the leaderboard following the first phase of the championship. She and the 2007 Morgan mare had excellent trot work, quality canter work, and impressive halts to win the dressage phase. With the division also serving as a Selection Trials for the 2016 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, the combination delivered a fantastic dressage test that they have become known for.

“I thought this was probably one of our better tests that we drove. She was animated enough and seemed to have a lot of power without the tension like I saw at Live Oak. I was really happy with the test,” Stafford said.

Looking ahead to the marathon phase, Stafford believes the change in terrain from the majority of horses’ winter training base in Florida will be a test. “I think it will be challenging for the horses that have been in Florida because it is flat there. Even though [PVF Peace of Mind] is fit, she hasn’t been on hills in a while. She lives it at home on hills in Pennsylvania, but she hasn’t been training on hills in some time. She is a Morgan, though, and they just never seem to say no.”

Leslie Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.) and Uminco performed a fluid test that earned them a score of 41.87. Berndl and her own 2001 KWPN gelding had powerful canter work and smooth deviations, but demonstrated a bit of tension in the walk. They head into the marathon phase on Saturday in second place.

Barbara Chapman (Metamora, Mich.) and Meara Beval, her 2004 American Warmblood mare, delivered a consistent test to sit in third place following the dressage phase. The duo showed relaxed trot and canter work, marred only by a brief break into the canter during a trot extension. Chapman and Meara Beval have been steadily improving throughout the season, highlighted by their dressage score today of 46.22.

Two drivers performed their dressage tests in the CAN2* Four-in-Hand division serving as a Selection Trial for their 2016 FEI World Driving Championships. James Fairclough (Newton, N.J.) had a nice test with his team, aside from an error, and sits in the lead with a score of 50.43. Josh Rector (Dyke, Va.) returned to competition on Friday after a hiatus, delivering a solid test to score 52.25 for second place.

The marathon phase begins at 9:00 a.m. ET on Saturday with the first championship competitor starting at 12:06 p.m. ET.

View complete dressage results

Find out more about the Southern Pines CDE.

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