The complete starting list for the 2007 FEI World Pony Driving Championship for Singles, Pairs and Four-in-Hand is now official. The event takes place in Dorthealyst, Denmark, July 18-22. Sixteen nations representing three continents will take part in the event. The United States of America sends a full team of two singles, two pairs and two four-in-hands. With two exceptions, the Americans will bring European ponies: Dartmoor, Welsh, Connemara and a German sports pony, making it a total of 18 ponies on the American team. Suzy Stafford and Rochelle Temple will compete in the singles division, Miranda Cadwell and Tracey Morgan will compete in pairs, and Laurie Astegiano and Allison Stroud will compete in four-in-hand. Chester Weber is the chef d'equipe for the American team.

Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and, of course, home nation Denmark will also send full teams with two competitors in each of the three categories. All in all, there will be 74 competitors with almost 200 ponies. Most of these 74 competitors will bring two different carriages, one for dressage and cones and one for marathon. A spare pony is allowed for pairs and four-in-hands.

The starting order was determined by a draw that took place at Dorthealyst on Wednesday afternoon. For the starting order, visit www.wdch-pony-07.dk/en/wdch_pony/starting_order.

Dorthealyst is the home grounds of the Danish Driving Society and where they usually hold their competitions. There are two 40 x 100 meter dressage areas and a number of permanent obstacles that have been extensively rebuilt and modified for the occasion. One of the obstacles now resembles a village with school, church, blacksmith shop, etc., for the competitors to drive around.

Carriage driving is a family sport where the whole family and friends can be together on the same project, and even very small children enjoy watching the ponies.

For more information, visit www.wdch-pony-07.dk/en/home.htm.