The American Driving Society, Inc. (ADS) is proud to announce the results of the 2021 ADS North American Preliminary and Intermediate Championships, held November 5-7, 2021 at the Windsor Trace CDE in Windsor, SC.
The event was held in Windsor, a booming carriage driving community just outside of Aiken, SC. Lisa Singer organized this great event, the largest ADS-Recognized CDE in 2021. Shelly Temple was the POJ, with Dana Bright and Lynn Legg being the other two jury members, and Keith Yutzy as TD . Barry Hunter designed the course from the UK. The fall weather was difficult, and although unseasonably chilly on Friday and Saturday, the forecast rain stayed to the south during the marathon. Sunday dawned bright and warm for Cones.
17-year-old Riley Wilitson drove his Connemara, Willow’s Aslan, to claim the Intermediate Pony Single North American Championship after winning the Marathon and finishing Cones with a double clear. Gloria Ripperton drove her pony, Kiko, to reserve, scoring first in Dressage and second on the Marathon.
Esther R. “Boots” Wright won the Intermediate Pony Pair North American Championship with her German Riding Ponies Bax3 and Madam’s Martin (Marty) and her Welsh B Pony, Rio. She scored a 53.33 in Dressage with Bax and Marty.
Yvette Harris, with trainer Paula Bliss on the backstep, won the Intermediate Small Pony Pair North American Championship with her grey Section A Welsh ponies, Suki and Morwel Amber, earning a score of 50.54 in Dressage (followed on Sunday by an excellent go on the Cones course).
Stacey Giere won the Intermediate Horse Single North American Championship with Gartijn, claiming second in Dressage, first in the marathon with tight, balanced turns in the obstacles, and first in Cones. Bill Allen and Commander Mark were the reserve champions.
Kim Allen and her incredibly fit VSE, Fudge, won the Intermediate VSE Single North American Championship.
Jim Hudson and Razel CAF were the Preliminary Pony Single North American Champions with a 49.60 in Dressage and a double clear round in Cones. Reserve champion Karen Cherry drove Sir Noble to the second place in both Marathon and Cones. Five entries competed for this title.
Seven entries competed for the Preliminary Horse Single North American Championship. Laurel Pyatt went double clear in cones, after a fourth in Dressage and second in Marathon, to claim the championship with Monet. Kelly Valdes drove her handy chestnut gelding, Squirt, to the reserve championship after a superb Dressage test in which she scored a 45.07. Kelly also won the Best Turnout Award.
Full results from the Windsor Trace CDE & CT can be found on the ADS website or at www.carriagedrivingtoday.com. See the February issue of The Whip for full coverage.