Lexington, Ky. – The U.S. contingent arrives at the FEI World Driving and Para-Driving Championships for Singles with a strong, seasoned group prepared for high-caliber international competition. Running Wednesday, August 29 through Sunday, September 2, in Kronenberg, The Netherlands, Chef d’Equipe Heather Briggs and Coach Thorsten Zarembowicz will guide the U.S. team of Jacob Arnold, Donna Crookston, and Jennifer “Nifty” Hamilton in pursuit of a respectable team finish. They will be joined by Vernon Helmuth, who will compete as an individual, and the U.S. team of Tracy Bowman, Bob Giles, and Diane Kastama, led by Chef d’Equipe Sara Schmitt, competing in the Para-Driving division. 

Meet the Team

Jacob Arnold from Snow Camp, N.C., driving Uminco, Leslie Berndl’s 17-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding

Donna Crookston from Saltsburg, Pa., driving Viktor, her 10-year-old Dutch Harness gelding

Jennifer “Nifty” Hamilton from Alva, Fla., driving Makari Design, the 10-year-old KWPN gelding she owns with Milton Hamilton

Last Time Out

Arnold and Uminco won the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 Test Event CAI2*-H1 in April, preceded by earning the 2018 USEF Advanced Single Horse Reserve National Championship at the Southern Pines CDE in April and winning the Live Oak International CAI2*-H1 in March. 

Crookston and Viktor won the Hermitage Classic CDE CAI2*-H1 earlier in the month and placed second in the Bromont International CDE CAI2*-H1 in June. 

Hamilton and Makari Design placed fifth in the Le Pin au Haras, France CAI3*-H1 in July. They won the Bromont International CDE CAI2*-H1 in June and the Southern Pines CDE CAI2*-H1 in April, while placing second in the Live Oak International CAI2*-H1 in March and Palm Tree CDE at Little Everglades CAI2*-H1 in January. In 2017, Hamilton had a perfect record, winning every competition entered.

Career Highlights

Arnold: 2018 USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving Reserve National Champion, two-time FEI World Driving Championships for Singles competitor (2018 and 2014), 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs competitor, and member of the USEF Combined Driving Program for Elite Athletes.

Crookston: Five-time FEI World Driving Championships for Singles competitor (2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010), 2017 USEF Single Horse Combined Driving Reserve National Champion, and member of the USEF Combined Driving Program for Elite Athletes.

Hamilton: 2017 and 2018 USEF Single Horse Combined Driving National Champion and member of the USEF Combined Driving Program for Elite Athletes.

Meet the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles U.S. Competitor

Vernon Helmuth (Lodi, Calif.), a 2017 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs competitor, will drive Firminus, Peter Hüls’s eight-year-old KWPN gelding. They placed in the top 25 at the Chablis, France CAI3*-H1 and Altenfelden International Driving Event CAI3*-H1 in June.

Meet the U.S. Team for the FEI World Para-Driving Championships for Singles 

Tracy Bowman (Martinez, Calif.) took up para-driving as an opportunity to compete after becoming paralyzed from the waist down. Bowman, who will represent the U.S. for the first time in international competition, will drive Taylomor Laurabelle, her 16-year-old Welsh Pony. Bowman and “Bella” are equipped with a custom designed carriage, which makes it possible for Bowman to drive in the proper position. In addition to combined driving, Bowman has played an instrumental role in training multiple eventing CCI4* riders at her home base, Kismet Farms.

Bob Giles (Morriston, Fla.) is a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient who lost 90% of his hearing, has a fused elbow, and has only partial use of his right hand as a result of combat. In addition to competing in combined driving, he also participates in carriage pleasure driving. Giles was part of the bronze medal-winning U.S. team and earned individual silver at the 2014 FEI Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles. He will drive a leased horse, First Lady, an 8-year-old mare of unknown breeding owned by P.W.C. de Ronde.

Diane Kastama (Arroyo Grande, Calif.), became paralyzed from the waist down following a car crash in 1991. She is classified as a Grade I driver, but has competed against able-bodied drivers for many years. Kastama has competed at World Championships since 2000, earning individual gold (2006), silver (2002), and bronze (2008), as well as team silver (2008) and bronze (2014 and 2002). Kastama is a 2014 USEF Becky Grand Hart Trophy recipient and a member of the USEF Combined Driving Program for Elite Athletes. She will drive leased horse Oosterwijk’s Kasper, P.W.C. de Ronde’s 22-year-old gelding of unknown breeding.

Competition Information

Competition begins with the para-driving dressage phase on Wednesday beginning at 7:30 a.m. EST. 

Competition Schedule and Results

Find out more information about the FEI World Driving and Para-Driving Championships for Singles.

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The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.