If you’ve ever thought that the navigator role in combined driving looked like a fun challenge, now is your chance to learn more about it! US Equestrian is hosting a beginner-friendly US Equestrian Combined Driving Navigator Course on Saturday, June 16, from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Avondale, Pa., property owned by international combined driving athlete Lisa Stroud, whose competition record includes multiple USEF National Combined Driving Pony Championships Team Championships and a team bronze medal at the FEI Pony World Driving Championships.

The course will be free and open to all, and beginners are encouraged to attend! The one-day session will begin with a classroom course covering the basics of the navigator’s role in combined driving’s cross-country phase, the marathon, and featuring study and discussion of video clips. The classroom portion will be followed by outdoor practical experience, in which attendees will study a course and ride on a carriage through obstacles at a speed appropriate to their skill level. There will also be an opportunity to learn about combined driving’s equipment, including the carriage, harness, and time cards.

The course will be led by driver Jacob Arnold and navigator Kenny Cox. Arnold is a top-ranked elite athlete experienced in the single horse and pair horse divisions who has represented the U.S. Team at the World Driving Championships. Cox, the longtime navigator for elite athlete Tracey Morgan, has navigated for her at multiple Pony World Championships and helped her win numerous Pony National Championships and FEI events.

To sign up, email US Equestrian’s Director of Driving, Danielle Aamodt, at [email protected]. Please include the following information: name, US Equestrian membership number (if you are a member), phone number, and email address. Please also note any previous driving or navigating experience, although experience is not required for attendees.