Beesd, The Netherlands – Stefanie Putnam is the sole U.S. representative at the 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships, but she is up for the challenge as she makes her World Championship debut. She will compete against competitors from six other nations in the Grade I division as she aims for a solid performance.

Putnam (Lafayette, Calif.) grew up riding hunters and jumpers and was also the captain of the Cal Poly Tech polo team. She suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the chest down in 2009. Despite the devastating injury, Putnam embraced a journey of self-discovery.  She discovered the sport of driving, which allowed her to embrace her passion for horses, and she competed in her first competition in 2011.

Partnering with three-time USEF Singles champion Bethesda After Dark, her own 1993 Morgan gelding, Putnam looks to gain invaluable experience on the world stage. She has been determined to compete in the championship and has worked hard to achieve her goal over the last five years. Last fall, Putnam and “Shadow” claimed top honors in the Preliminary Single Horse division at the Shady Oaks CDE, and earned the Charles Kellogg American Driving Society North American Preliminary Horse Champion and West Coast Triple Crown Preliminary Single Horse co-Champion titles. This year, they finished second in the Intermediate Single Horse division at the Summer Festival CDE in June.

Following the horse inspection Thursday morning, the dressage phase will take place in the afternoon. The marathon phase will take place on Friday, and the competition comes to a close with the cones phase on Saturday. 

Find out more about the FEI World Para-Driving Championships.