Ocala, Fla. - Combined driving athletes have flocked to Ocala, Florida this week for their chance at a USEF Combined Driving National Championship title. Live Oak International, March 6-10, features the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Combined Driving National Championship for the fourth consecutive year and welcomes the USEF Advanced Pairs Combined Driving National Championship.
The USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Championship serves as a reunion for two of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) Tryon 2018 gold medal-winning U.S. driving team members, Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) and Misdee Wrigley Miller (Paris, Ky.). WEG individual silver medalist Weber will look to add another historic finish to his resume this weekend as he chases a record 16th USEF Four-in-Hand National Championship title. WEG alternate Lisa Stroud (Kennett Square, Pa.) and Paul Maye (Fairfield, VA) are also among the four-in-hand competitors.
Two combinations will be gunning to win the USEF Advanced Pairs Championship alongside three advanced and five intermediate non-championship divisions. The championship entry list includes James Miller (Paris, Ky.) and Steve Wilson (Louisville, Ky.).
Drivers presented their horses to the Ground Jury at Wednesday’s FEI Horse Inspection. Turned out to perfection, 61 entries were accepted for the Live Oak International and all USEF National Championship entered horses. Combined driving competition continues with Dressage Thursday, March 7 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Intermediate divisions follow with their dressage tests Friday, March 8, ahead of the thrilling marathon phase on Saturday, March 9. Competition concludes with the cones phase on Sunday, March 10.
USEF Network will stream all three phases of the driving competition, starting with dressage on Thursday, March 7, at 8:30 a.m. Not a US Equestrian member yet? Use promo code LIVEOAK19 for access. Visit www.usefnetwork.org to watch.
Stay up to date on the competition at the Live Oak International by following USA Driving on Facebook and US Equestrian on Instagram and Twitter. Use #USADriving.