Past Teams

Dressage test FEI 4 is located here.
http://fei.org/disciplines/officials-organisers/organisers/driving-and-para-equestrian-driving/dressage-tests

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Team 2012 Photo Gallery

Thanks go to the following for submission of pictures to the Team 2012 Photo Gallery;
Emily Bassett, Marie de Ronde, Wendy Ying, Keady Cadwell. If there are any particular pictures you feel should be added, please send an email to [email protected] with the pictures attached.

FEI World Para Equestrian Driving Championships 2014 | Horse Canada

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Dear USDFD Members and Supporters,

At Sandringham, England the FEI Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships have come to a close today. Germany held on to its overnight lead to take Team Gold. The Netherlands took Silver with the USA a mere 3.29 penalties behind in Bronze. Great Britain finished in fourth place. Robert Giles (USA) won the individual Grade 2 silver medal with Virginia (Boo) Fitch (USA) in fourth!

It is the first time that these championships have been hosted in England and para-drivers from eight nations competed in a very fiercely fought contest for world supremacy. Four of the nations, including the USA, fielded a team of at least three competitors required for the “team medal” awards; the other countries were represented by individual competitors. Individual medals are awarded by “Grade” which is a classification by the FEI according to level of disability (with Grade I being more severely disabled than Grade II – usually wheelchair bound). 60% of the competitors were Grade I. Following are the final Medal scores and awards

Teams:
1st Germany 227.07
2nd Netherlands 244.74
3rd USA 248.03
4th Great Britain 264.91

Grade I:
1st Jacques Poppen (Ned) 107.18
2nd Heiner Lehrter (Ger) 118.46
3rd Markus Beerhues (Ger) 124.25
4th Lucy Barclay (GBR) 131 73

Grade II:
1st Alexandra Roeder 111.61
2nd Robert Giles (USA) 125.21
3rd Mick Ward (GBR) 127.25
4th Virginia Fitch (USA) 131.82

For further detailed scores see:
http://www.hoefnet.nl/en/home/site/uitslagen/d8471a0aa505c1165003032658706598

Additional news is at: http://www.britishcarriagedriving.co.uk/
Germany holds overnight lead to take Team Gold at the 2014 Para-Equestrian World Championships
http://www.hoefnet.nl/en/home/site/news/sandringham-germany-holds-overnight-lead-to-take-team-gold

Attached are photos of the US team and the final parade. Photos by Marie de Ronde-Oudemans and Patricia Kastama. More at www.facebook/usdfd

Special Note of Thanks from Team USA and USDFD: Heartfelt thanks go to Coach Sara Schmitt and Chef d’Equipe Marie de Ronde-Oudemans who each went above and beyond in their help to the team. We would also like to extend our utmost appreciation to all of the individuals and groups over the past many months who have given us their encouragement, backing and support and who have truly been the ones who have made this possible.
THANK YOU all for being a part of this wonderful accomplishment!!

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Dear USDFD Members and Supporters,

The team has successfully negotiated the English Channel traveling via ferry from their training camp in Holland to Sandringham, England with Koos de Ronde’s fantastic packing and transport assistance.

The dressage phase was completed today, and the team is in Bronze Medal position, just 8 points behind The Netherlands and Germany. Virginia Boo Fitch, placed 2nd driving her own Kiko in Grade 2 with a 42.10 and Robert Giles placed 3rd in Grade 2 with a 43.70 driving Solo owned by Koos and Marie de Ronde. Diane Kastama placed 11th in Grade 1 with a 52.00. Individual, Mary Gray, driving Rooster owned by an English gentleman, placed 10th in Grade 2 with a 58.30.

The weather was cloudy for the first half of the competition and then thunder, lightning, and hail arrived for the afternoon competitors. Boo enjoyed a lovely downpour while driving her test, while Diane endured the pouring rain while she warmed up Rupert. Pouring rain and a wet camera hampered photos of Boo and Diane, even though the sun did try to come out during Diane’s test. Hence attached is only one dressage photo – that of Robert Giles Driving Solo.

Scores can be viewed at http://www.hoefnet.nl/uitslagen/2014/GBR/SANDRINGHAM.20140626.20140629/TeamsDressageHorses.htm

The team is looking forward to some challenging hazards in the morning. Go Team USA!!!
Best Regards, USDFD Secretary

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Dear USDFD members and supporters,

U.S. Para-Equestrian Driver Stefanie Putnam Earns Fifth in the World at 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships in Beesd, The Netherlands

By: Lindsay Y. McCall Lafayette, California,

August 24, 2016 – The 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships took place August 3-6, 2016, in Beesd, The Netherlands. Stefanie Putnam made her international debut as the sole Para-Driver representing the United States of America. Putnam drove her horse Bethesda After Dark, a 1993 Morgan gelding, to a remarkable individual fifth place in Grade I against 13 seasoned competitors, also earning a third in Cones. She was supported by U.S. coach Scott Monroe and chef d’equipe Marcie Quist, as well as Marie de Ronde-Oudemans from Holland who graciously hosted and assisted the team. Seven nations competed in the championships with drivers from Latvia to Ireland. Putnam and Bethesda After Dark have been working towards accomplishing their international dreams for five years and on August 6, Putnam did just that made her international debut as the sole Para-Driver representing the United States of America. Putnam drove her horse Bethesda After Dark, a 1993 Morgan gelding, to a remarkable individual fifth place in Grade I against 13 seasoned competitors, also earning a third in Cones. She was supported by U.S. coach Scott Monroe and chef d’equipe Marcie Quist, as well as Marie de Ronde-Oudemansfrom Holland who graciously hosted and assisted the team. Seven nations competed in the championships with drivers from Latvia to Ireland. Putnam and Bethesda After Dark have been working towards accomplishing their international dreams for five years and on August 6, Putnam did just that.

Putnam grew up competing hunters and jumpers and was also the captain of the Cal Poly Tech polo team. She suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the chest down in 2009. In 2011 she discovered the sport of driving and competed in her first competition the very same year. In 2015 Putnam and Bethesda After Dark claimed top honors in the Preliminary Single Horse division at the Shady Oaks CDE, as well as earning the prestigious Charles Kellogg American Driving Society North American Preliminary Horse Champion and West Coast Triple Crown Preliminary Single Horse co-Champion titles. This season (2016) the duo took the Reserve Championship in the Intermediate Single Horse division at the Summer Festival CDE.

The 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships gave Stefanie an opportunity to compete at the FEI level for the first time (this is not an option for Para-Drivers in the U.S., as it is for Para-Dressage riders). The World’s enabled Stefanie to experience the thrill and challenges of international competition and to get to know the Para-Equestrian Drivers from other countries. Being selected to represent her country on behalf of USEF was especially exciting and meaningful. While there are no carriage driving events in the Olympics and thus the Paralympics, this competition is considered to be the equivalent in the equestrian driving world. Stefanie stated, “I have been deeply honored and indelibly touched by this incredible, inspiring
opportunity. It has taken an army of people to help me reach this goal, and I want to extend my utmost gratitude and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported me in this amazing journey. Against the backdrop of Rio, it was a proud and unforgettable feeling flying the American flag from the back of a beautiful horse drawn carriage.” Results from the 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships:

https://www.hoefnet.nl/archief/2016/08/NED-06-08-2016-FEI_World_Para_Equestrian_Championships_Beesd___NK_pony_s_2016

WCH Kronenberg 2018: Big Crowds, Big Stakes,1000 Adrenalin Rushes Hoefnet – Marathon Day News Kronenberg, Sept 2, 2018 This is the tenth FEI World Championship for single horses and the first time it has ever been held in the Netherlands. In addition, this is also the first time the championship has been held in conjunction with the FEI World Para-Driving Championship. “The 24 Para participants went during the middle of the day and completed 6 obstacles. They are particularly worthy of praise. As Para driver Bob Giles (USA) stated ‘when you consider the physical handicaps that these fellow participants have had to overcome, and then go on to conquer the demands of this sport, it is truly mind boggling.’” “In Group 1, Martje Mitvoet (NED) won the Marathon with 81.55 followed by Jacques Poppen (NED) who is a paraplegic following a car accident in 1995 with a score of 82.51. In Group 2, Francisca Den Elzen (NED) won the Marathon with a 78.74 score followed by Alexandra Roder (GER) with only .05 difference at 78.79. Roder has a left leg prothesis and was 2014 Word Champion (Gr2)” Photo by Marie de Ronde-Oudemans of Diane Kastama (Para USA) driving her leased horse Oosterwijk’s Kasper; navigator Lila Hewitt.  Diane took 6th place in the Marathon (88.45) and 7th place overall (167.85) in Grade 1

For additional coverage of event click on links below.

https://mailchi.mp/982c321b6ad3/1dyu5hefd5-911389?e=ab3efa26d2
https://mailchi.mp/d37bdc04f8ec/1dyu5hefd5-911345?e=a33c8f2cf2
https://mailchi.mp/2abb74e7dfc7/1dyu5hefd5-910593?e=ab3efa26d2
https://mailchi.mp/833ffd3a0b15/1dyu5hefd5-909361?e=ab3efa26d2

Tracy Bowman and Albrecht’s Hoeve’s Lars Win Gold at FEI Para Driving World Championship

U.S. driver Tracy Bowman, of Martinez, Calif., and her Welsh pony gelding, Albrecht’s Hoeve’s Lars, had a golden week in Schildau, Germany, at the 2021 FEI Para Driving World Championship. The pair had three exceptional phases to win the championship title for Grade I at the conclusion of competition on Aug. 8.2021

Bowman and “Lars” started off strong, landing in third place after their dressage test. They put in a masterful marathon phase on Saturday, moving into first place, and held on to it through the cones on Sunday.

Bowman and Lars got their start together on the recommendation of the world-class father and son driving athletes, Bram and Ijsbrand Chardon of The Netherlands. Bowman purchased the gelding with the aim of competing him at the World Championship in August of 2020, but plans changed when that event was cancelled due to COVID-19, and she brought him home to California instead.

“I only competed in one unrecognized CDE and one recognized event in California this past winter before we came to Schildau,” said Bowman. “There was no other option due to COVID. This was our first big show together. He had experience prior to me at the last World Championship in Kronenberg, so I put my total trust in him and my unbelievable team. I was not ever in doubt of being safe and capable because of those people and my fabulous pony. But to win was not an expectation, since I have nearly no experience at that level.”

Bowman spent the unexpected off-season in 2020 mostly self-training at her Kismet Farms in California, but credits Lars’ solid training and demeanor for a positive result in 2021.

“My partner in the farm and best of all friends, Jolie Wentworth, would assist me in the ground,” Bowman said. “She sees everything and is the only one that would have no equal for the flat work. Together, I think we kept the dressage improving. [Lars] is a great mover, very uphill, was already well schooled, and has a lot of talent. Added to that, he is very drivable in the court. He does not tend to spook and keeps a cool head—except in prize-givings!”

With the return of competition and news that the World Championship was back on for 2021, Lars and Bowman returned to training under the Chardons.

“The team in The Netherlands made it very simple to feel secure and comfortable when we returned,” said Bowman. “Bram and the whole Chardon family is nothing but warm. Bram demands total focus and great attention to detail, which is expected at this level. He also lets you know right from wrong without apology. This makes you feel very assured of the reality of your skills, good or bad; when you keep it honest, it works better for everyone involved. No false hope or inflated ideas—only down to earth hard work to improve and understand where you need to focus. It was very correct for me.”

Of her experience in Schildau at the 2021 FEI Para Driving World Championship, Bowman says the competition got better and better each day.

“The best groom in the world, Quint van Rijswijk, was able to get Lars feeling and looking his best,” said Bowman “This really helped in the dressage phase, but he took such good care of him the whole show. Winning the marathon was such a great feeling. The obstacles were amazing and so well built. The area they were in made it great for spectators and also made it easy for my obligatory extra safety grooms to get from one to the other with no effort. Since my carriage is adapted for me by the use of a five-point harness, it is required to have safety grooms at gates in case we turn over or have some sort of mishap.

“The whole venue of Schildau is a horse Disneyland,” Bowman continued. “It could not have been nicer, especially for wheelchair users like myself—it was very level and accessible. The USEF chef Marcie Quist was also pleased. She has been to quite a few of these now and is such a great problem solver and a great help to the USA drivers. Bram and Jolie made me feel they had my back, and I never felt on my own. I was free to concentrate on my job. They held my proverbial hand and also kicked me when I needed it. It was a perfect group.
photos by Jurgen Sendel

Enjoying the expertise of Bram as her trainer before and during the championship, the first title of the day went to reigning Grade I Para Driving World Champion Tracy Bowman (USA). She drove a flawless round with her pony Albrecht’s Hoeve’s Lars to win the phase and emphatically retain her crown. Together she and Bram also won the Hand-in-Hand trophy and in the prize-giving, Bram sat behind Tracy on the groom’s seat of the carriage to enter the arena.

Paying tribute for her success to the support she has received from the extended Chardon crew, who were recording the split times on the course to feed back to her, Tracy said, “This is the absolute fairytale and Lars is my unicorn! I think across all the equestrian sports, Lars is recognised for his quality and ability. Bram was amazing and gave me a fantastic game plan – which worked.”

With the strong showing from the German ladies, who were joined on the national team by Para legend Heiner Lehrter, they were clear winners of the team gold for the fourth time. The silver went to the USA with Tracy joined by long term team members Bob Giles and Diane Kastama. They were only narrowly ahead of Great Britain by 0.74 who finished in bronze for the fifth time, helped by Deborah Daniel’s second placing in the Cones and strong performances by Mick Ward and Emily Ham.

During his closing ceremony speech, FEI Driving Committee Chair Karoly Fugli (HUN) paid tribute to the inclusivity of the championship and sport driving as a whole, citing the success of joining the para drivers with the Four-in-Hands. The organisers at Exloo were delighted with the support from the large crowds who were present throughout the event, especially the many families who came for the day to enjoy Saturday’s Marathon. Reflecting the international nature of the combined event, even more fans tuned in from all over the world to watch the live coverage of the action on FEI TV.

link to results
https://www.hoefnet.nl/kalender-uitslagen-startlijsten/fei-driving-european-championships-four-in-hand-fei-para-driving-world-championships-for-singles/

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