-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.
Shelly Temple and her 12 year old Morgan gelding LR Ami B-Line (“Cooper”) have won the USEF Single Pony Champion in combined driving for the second time in four years.
Held this year at the Laurels of Landhope in Kennett Square, PA, the first day of competition began with dressage. Shelly and Cooper held a comfortable lead with a score after dressage of 43.73. Shelly remarked that “Cooper was responsive and willing throughout the day.” Day two consisted of the cross country marathon with an overall distance of 16 kilometers.
Shelly and navigator/husband Fran Doto drove a solid marathon to maintain their lead into day three, the cones competition. The cones competition saw Temple maintain her overall lead to follow up her 2009 reserve champion statusin the single pony championships.
“Cooper felt on top of his game the entire competition. He was fit and willing,” stated Temple. “I’m confident that Kombat Boots’ natural yeast pellets helped enhance Cooper’s digestion and absorption of the nutrients he needs in order to compete at a high level. I appreciate Kombat Boots' support!”
Watch for Shelly at the Pine Tree CDE at Southern Pines, NC, October 23-24 where she will drive a pair of ponies. Joining Cooper in the pair is the Welsh cob, Harry, a multiple national champion owned by Jack Wetzel.
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.
Shelly Temple
Catalyst Driving Center
Windsor, South Carolina
804-837-4888
shelly@catalystdriving.com
www.catalystdriving.com
Kombat Boots wants to wish Kim Heath and the Horse Protection Association of Florida a good recovery with their recent efforts to save many horses abandoned in this tough economy. Kombat Boots is a proud affiliate of HPAF which is located in Miconopy, FL and is home to 50 horses. Good luck you guys!
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