The first phase of the World Single Driving Championship in Jarantow, Poland, was won by Dutch driver Jan van den Broek, who’s dressage test on Thursday could not be beaten by today’s reaming drivers. Bill Peacock put down the best dressage performance for the US team with a score of 44.30 on the 19th place.

The top three of yesterday’s dressage remained unchanged. Van den Broek leads with an gap of 7.27 penalty points ahead of Germany’s Mareike Harm and the 1998 World Champion Arja Mikkonen from Finland. The team competition is led by the Netherlands, ahead of Germany and the surprisingly well performing Hungarians. The US Team lies in 11th place after the dressage.

The drivers had to face very bad weather conditions on the second dressage day. It rained, sometimes very heavily, it was windy and the temperature went down as well.

Donna Crookston was second to go today with RG Cowboy’s Black Cadillac. She entered the dressage arena confident and round but a mishap happened in the first half of the Test, Donna had a black out and drove the first half of the circle in the wrong direction.

“I noticed my mistake straight away and waited for the bell to ring, and that happened quickly,“ said Crookston.

But Donna kept her head clear and steadily finished her Dressage Test, which is much to be said for was the opinion of chef d’equipe Ed Young, who was pleased with the results of the four US competitors since it is their first World Championship experience for all of them.

Donna and RG Cowboy’s Black Cadillac took the 49th position with 66,95 penalty points, including 5 penalty points for the error of course.

Robin Groves entered the arena as last driver for the US Team. Driving the black gelding, Thor’s Toy Truck, they both showed an attractive Dressage test and were very pleased with their performance.

“ I am very happy and this was the best test which Thor’s Toy Truck and I have ever driven,” said Groves. “I am very pleased with him, we are a team for nearly 6 years now and we are proud at our Dressage.“

The judges awarded Robin’s Test with 61.18 penalty points which put her in 35th place.

President of the Ground Jury Diana Brownlie from Great Britain rang the bell for today’s last starter and individual US driver Leslie Berndl. The elegantly presented turnout with the chestnut Koopman’s Lightning Rod, a 12 year old gelding put down an elegant Test and to the surprise of many, they were only awarded with a score of 55.81 penalty points, 21st position.

Well known US Pair driver and trainer of the US Single Lisa Singer agreed to the opinion of many at the World Championship.

“I am annoyed by the way of judging, my drivers showed good tests,” said Singer. “I do not know what the judges would like to see, this is not satisfying for me as a trainer.“

Tomorrow is marathon day in Jarantow. Course Designer Christian Iseli from Austria has built a challenging course, which is described by many as the heaviest in the history of international single driving sport. The eight technically very heavy obstacles and the long marathon phases will put high demand on the competitors.

“We will drive as fast as possible,“ said Groves of the US strategy.

ENDS

For more information please contact Joanie Morris at [email protected].