Raeford, N.C. – A field of 13 athlete-and-horse combinations hope to claim the USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship title. The Southern Pines Combined Driving Event (CDE), held at the Carolina Horse Park from April 12-15, plays host to the 2018 national championship. With the event also serving as one of the selection trials for the 2018 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, there is an added incentive to have a top performance at the national championship.

Jennifer “Nifty” Hamilton (Alva, Fla.) and Makari Design are the defending national champions after they won the title at the 2017 Kentucky Classic CDE last fall. Hamilton and the 10-year-old KWPN gelding she owns with Milton Hamilton are off to a strong start in 2018, finishing in second place in the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) Single Horse divisions at the Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades and Live Oak International. The duo is in fine form and aims to earn back-to-back national championship wins.

Donna Crookston (Saltsburg, Pa.) and Viktor were the 2017 reserve national champions behind Hamilton and Makari Design last year, and they will be stiff competition again this year. Crookston, a four-time FEI World Driving Championships for Singles competitor, and her 10-year-old Dutch Harness gelding were third in the FEI Single Horse division at Live Oak International. The consistent performers hope to deliver three solid phases at the Southern Pines CDE.

Jacob Arnold (Snow Camp, N.C.) and Uminco are a promising combination contesting their first national championship together. Arnold competed in the 2014 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles and the 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs, and Leslie Berndl’s 17-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding is a two-time national champion. The two started a partnership this year, and, thus far, they placed fourth in the FEI Single Horse division at the Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades, followed by a win at Live Oak International.

Championship competition begins on Friday at 2:02 p.m. EST with the dressage phase.

Find more information on the Southern Pines CDE.

Stay up to date with US Equestrian for coverage of the national championship and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow USA Combined Driving all year long on Facebook @USACombinedDriving and use #USADriving.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.