Thank you to those who participated in an online survey about driving competitions and the US Equestrian programs. The Driving Sport Committee reviewed the feedback from a sampling of about 175 drivers (both members and non-members) and will use it to make informed decisions about US Equestrian programs moving forward. The general impression concerning driving competitions is that there is a need for increased availability, which US Equestrian aims to support by offering grants to CDE competitions that license any division with the USEF. Supporting competitions is paramount, as it essentially supports drivers! The feedback on the US Equestrian programs included resounding requests for coaching and training opportunities, which have been and will continue to be a main focus of the Developing and Elite Athlete Programs.

The USEF Developing Athlete Program (DAP) for Combined Driving opens applications bi-annually for interested drivers who are competing at the Preliminary level or above. If you have long-term goals within the sport of combined driving, then submit an application! Click here to read about the minimum requirements for eligibility and the preferred criteria for participation. To apply, go to the Athlete Dashboard on your My USEF portal and click on “Online applications.”

The DAP provides training opportunities with guest clinicians about once a month, as well as program management support and educational opportunities. Members of the program are invited to attend as many clinics as possible in order to progress to the next level or prepare for an upcoming competition. Each driver also has a custom plan to acknowledge their strengths, work on their weaknesses, and develop homework to help them achieve their goals. Follow #USADriving on Facebook to watch the USEF Developing Athletes and their horses/ponies schooling for the next level or competition.

The discipline management for Para-Driving has slowly been moving from Para-Equestrian into combined driving, and is now overseen by the Driving Sport Committee. Beginning in 2018, Para-Driving athletes were invited to apply for and participate in the Developing and Elite Athlete Programs, which has been very rewarding so far. The next big goal is to support development of the sport! By following the very successful structure in Para-Dressage, a Selection Panel of experts has been assembled to put together an application process for Para-Driving Centers of Excellence (COE). The panel will include Danielle Aamodt (staff), Diane Kastama (USDFD), Dave Schmutz (Para-Dressage), Stefanie Putnam (Athlete), Anna Koopman (PATH certified), Sarah Armentrout (Veteran rep.), and Sara Schmitt (Para Coach). The COEs will be promoted by US Equestrian as facilities with the necessary equipment, programs, and therapeutic professionals to introduce Para-Driving to new athletes. Once established, US Equestrian will work with the COEs to further develop programs and competition opportunities, giving new Para-Drivers the chance to develop before experiencing the pressures of entering an open division in a licensed competition.

At the onset of 2019, the Driving Sport Committee realized the need to support U.S. Licensed Officials in furthering their education, especially with international experience. To that end, the Committee decided to set aside some grant funds for Licensed Officials who are seeking out those experiences and need support with the travel expenses. The funds are limited and subject to application, which is posted on the Driving page of the US Equestrian website. There are hopes that this small initiative will grow in future years.

The applications to host 2020 US Equestrian National Championships will be made available online soon. Organizers who license competitions with US Equestrian will receive an email, but if any other driving organizers would like to receive a copy, then contact the Director of Driving, Danielle Aamodt, at daamodt@usef.org.

Watch for announcements in July for the 2019 FEI Driving World Championship Selections for Pair Horses and Single/Pair Ponies. Both events take place in September, so potential team members are well into their preparations for the respective events. Pair drivers have all headed to Europe to continue competing throughout the summer season, while most pony drivers are staying fine-tuned individually.

The U.S. Driving Team has received an invitation to the prestigious Aachen CAIO4* driving competition in Germany (July 17-21). Four-in-hand drivers Jim Fairclough, Chester Weber, and Misdee Wrigley-Miller are preparing their teams of horses to represent #USADriving once more. The U.S. has not entered a Driving team in Aachen since 2016, so share your support and cheer them on from home!

USEF Network will stream live coverage of Devon Horse Show and Country Fair through Sunday, June 2.

Carriage Pleasure Driving with Karen Waldron

Watch World's Champion carriage driving competitor Karen Waldron discuss and demonstrate the elegant, historic sport of carriage pleasure driving.

Watch this video and over 70 more with top experts and athletes across various breeds, disciplines, and topics in the new US Equestrian Learning Center.