Merriam Wins USA National Combined Driving Singles Championship

Source :  USA Equestrian

Driving and Eventing Champions met in Elkton, MD, to compete at the Fair Hill International CAI-B and CCI***, October 24-27. The CAI-B included six driving divisions, with 11 U.S. drivers competing in the Single Horse division for the USA National Combined Driving Singles Championship. The Champion single horse driver was Fred Merriam of Newfane, Vermont, driving Gaitwood Lightwing (Morgan: TOFR Black Wing x Gaitwood Leflame) owned by Nick Mercede also of Newfane.

This combination recently returned from France after winning an Individual Bronze medal at the World Singles Driving Championship in Conty, France, held August 29 - September 1.

The Reserve Champion in the USA National Combined Driving Singles Championship was Nancy Johnson of Lincoln, Massachusetts with her own Canequin's Look Out (Morgan: Equinox Locomotion x Roman Elite).

In the CCI***, David O'Connor of The Plains, Virginia, and his Sydney Olympic Individual Gold medal partner, Custom Made (Irish Sport Horse: Bassompierre xx - Purple Heather, by Ben Purple), rode their way to a storybook ending. O'Connor had announced that this event would be Custom Made's final competition, and they finished this final event in style,
winning over Australia's Phillip Dutton, riding Dusky Moon (Australian Thoroughbred: Dusky Heir x Moonlust).