Ocala, FL ­- Sterling Graburn of Bonifay, Florida won the first USEF Selection Trial for the 2008 World Singles Driving Championships held at the Sunshine State CDE (CAI-B Ocala) in Ocala, FL February 28-March 2. The World Championships will be held in Jarantow, Poland August 28-31.

Besting a field of 11, Graburn and Dante an 8-year-old Sport Cob owned by Graburn and Wendy Ying, narrowly beat Donna Crookston of Saltsburg, PA. Prior to Sunday's cones competition Graburn's score of 121.28 gave him a narrow lead over Crookston. Crookston and RG Cowboy's Black Magic, a 12-year-old Morgan, had a two-day score of 122.07. Both drivers picked up nine penalties in the cones, leaving Graburn with the lead in the first USEF Selection Trial.

The Sunshine State CDE was also hosted the first USEF Selection Trial for the 2008 World Four-In-Hand Championships to be held in Beesdt, Holland September 4-7. Chester Weber of Ocala, Florida won the competition with an overall score of 134.42. Jim Fairclough of Newton, NJ was second on a score of 174.

The next USEF Selection Trial will be held during CAI-A Ocala, which is known as the Live Oak Plantation Combined Driving Event. The competition runs March 27-30th and also plays host to the USEF National Singles and Four-in-Hand Championships.

For more information please contact Wendy Wares, USEF Director of Driving Programs at: [email protected].