Top Riders set to Compete in 2026 USEF Combined Driving National Championships at Live Oak International

Two 2026 USEF Combined Driving National Championships are scheduled to take place from March 11–15, 2026, during the prestigious Live Oak International in Ocala. This year’s championships will highlight two divisions: the Advanced Four-in-Hand Horse National Championship and, marking a historic milestone, the first-ever USEF Combined Driving Youth National Championship.

Advanced Four-in-Hand Horse National Championship CAI3*

Heading into the Advanced Four-in-Hand National Championship is veteran driver Chester Weber of Ocala, Florida. Weber arrives with an experienced and competitive lineup of KWPN horses, bringing both depth and proven performance to the field. His team includes:

• Amadeus (Talos x Lion’s Dana International)

• Julius V (Bocellie x Talina)

• Kadora (Manno x Zadora)

• Nico Teusje C (Cizandro x Adjudante Teusje C)

• Despardo (Desperados x Mabella)

Also competing in the championship is Jimmy Fairclough of Newton, New Jersey. Fairclough will drive a strong team of Dutch Warmblood horses, each bringing their own experience and athleticism to the competition. His lineup includes:

• Lothario I & S (Emilano x Fabiola)

• Hendrik (Manno x Boukje)

• Magic Boy (Eebert x Cristina Burga)

• Kallee (Delviro x Curiosa)

• Kirando (Delviro HBC x Miranda)

USEF Combined Driving Youth National Championship

In addition to the elite Four-in-Hand division, this year’s event will also mark a historic moment for the sport. Live Oak International will host the inaugural USEF Combined Driving Youth National Championship, the first national championship dedicated to young combined driving athletes in the United States. The new championship is designed to spotlight rising talent and provide national recognition for the next generation of competitors in the discipline.

The inaugural youth championship will feature four promising drivers from across the country. Among them is Sarah Batstone Roberts of Ocala, Florida, who will compete with Winston, her own 2007 Chincoteague Pony gelding. Also in the lineup is Felicity Demitry of Geneva, New York, driving High Hopes Fancy, her own 2015 Dutch Harness Cross mare.

Joining them is Ben Riesse of Mount Airy, Maryland, who will compete with Isla, his 2013 Norwegian Fjord mare. Completing the field is Dakota Soethe-Auer of Churchville, Maryland, who will drive Special Forces, his 2013 Dutch Harness Horse gelding.

Competition Information

Competition officially gets underway on Thursday, March 12, beginning with the Driving Dressage phase for the Youth Division at 8:00 a.m. ET. Later in the morning, the FEI Driving Dressage test for the Advanced Four-in-Hand division will start at 11:00 a.m. ET.

The Marathon phase—often considered one of the most exciting segments of combined driving—will take place on Saturday, March 14. Action begins at 8:00 a.m. ET, with youth competitors tackling the course first. Drivers in the Advanced Four-in-Hand division will head out later in the day as the final group on course.

The championships will conclude on Sunday, March 15, with the Cones phase. The Youth Division will start the day at 8:00 a.m. ET, followed by the FEI Driving Obstacles (Cones) round at 10:15 a.m. ET. The Advanced Four-in-Hand teams will compete last before the event wraps up with the official presentation of awards.