16 March 2018

Live Oak: Thompson, Whittington and Wright in the lead

Three of the five USEF Combined Driving National Championship divisions completed their dressage tests Friday at Live Oak International with Jennifer Thompson, Kristin Whittington, and Boots Wright driving to the lead in their respective classes. This is the first year U.S. Equestrian has offered Championships at the Intermediate level, and competitors are eager to grab the inaugural titles.

Jennifer Thompson
Photo: PicsofYou

Thompson took a strong lead of the Single Horse division. She drove Funnominial C.G. to the top to start the weekend on a score of 53.84. Less than a point behind in second place is Anna Koopman, Middleburg, VA, who sits on a dressage result of 54.32 with Night Chief Lms. Third place in this competitive division belongs to Wilson Groves, Brownsville, VT, and Elegant Eeyore on 58.48 points.

“I thought he was really good in the ring. He was really focused,” Thompson explained. “I would’ve liked a little more working trot out of him. I felt he sucked back a little bit, but it’s one of those balancing acts. Do I ask him for more and have an explosion or do I just keep going with what I’ve got? Maybe I played it a little conservatively, but I was really pretty happy.”

Whittington took the lead in the of the Intermediate Single Pony class as the final driver of the group. She and her own Symphony earned a score of 57.44. Tayler Roundtree, Ocala, FL, took second with Taylamore Prince Harry on 60.48. A score of 62.4 gave Jennifer Keeler, Paris, KY, the third place position with Zeppo.

“I’m super excited about the pony. She did really well, especially in a new environment and her first time down centerline in the big ring at Live Oak,” Whittington said. “Just last year we broke her out as a single, and she seems super happy to be out as a single. She’s got a lot of momentum and a huge, huge heart.”

Kristin Whittington
Photo: PicsofYou

Wright charged into the top spot of the Pony Pair Championship with a comfortable 11-point lead ahead of second-placed Katie Whaley, Paris, KY. Wright drove Marko and Mista Q to a score of 50.64. Whaley and her duo of Tommy and Teddy sit on a score of 61.76.

The first two championships wrapped up dressage Thursday with Chester Weber and Scott Adcox topping the Four-in-Hand and Intermediate Pair Horse divisions, respectively. Combined drivers take on the thrilling marathon Saturday starting at  8:00 a.m. 

Click here for all starting orders and results.

Boots Wright
Photo: PicsofYou