|
From: Jeff Legg, Catalyst Driving
Date: March 28, 2011
For the second year in a row Shelly Temple and her Morgan gelding LR Ami B-Line (“Cooper”) have won the USEF Single Pony Champion in combined driving. The team also was crowned champions in 2006.
This year’s competition was held at CAI Live Oak International CDE in Ocala, Florida. Under the warm, sunny skies of Florida, Temple jumped to an early lead in dressage. Temple states “We've had the benefit of working with US Team Coach Michael Freund and his brother Fred Freund and they have been a huge help with Cooper's improved engagement and expression in dressage. I was very pleased with our test and scoring.”
Day 2 saw Temple, Cooper, and her husband/navigator, Fran Doto compete in the marathon competition conducted over approximately 15 kilometers with 7 difficult hazards. Cooper’s excellent condition paid off hold onto the overall. “The hot day made the difficult marathon obstacles a challenge. Cooper stayed strong throughout and excelled in several of the seven tough obstacles, and we achieved our goal of keeping our first place position.”
On day 3 the cones competition saw Temple maintain her overall lead to follow up her 2010 win in the single pony championships. Temple was thrilled with how their cones performance went; “Cooper was really on his game and I stayed focused with a clear round just three seconds over the time to win our very competitive class. Two World Champions (Suzy Stafford and Randy Cadwell) really put the pressure on!”
For the second year, Cooper was awarded the Hanzi Award, chosen by the judges as the best horse in the entire competition. Temple is very proud of this top award and her pony!
Temple is also appreciative of the sponsorship support she has received over the past year. “My thanks to the Schider family at Kombat Boots. The Kombat Boots natural yeast pellets help enhance Cooper’s digestion and absorption of the nutrients he needs in order to compete at a high level. "
Watch for Temple and Cooper at the Southern Pines CDE at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC, April 15-17.
Catalyst Driving Center is an equestrian driving facility in Windsor, South Carolina specializing in the training of all levels of drivers and horses. Please feel free to contact Shelly to learn more about her, the products she trusts, her horses, and what Catalyst Driving can offer the driving enthusiast.
Return to top.
|
