U.S. Driving Team Shows Progress, Gathers Experience at 2025 FEI Combined Ponies World Championships

The Defender U.S. Driving Team successfully completed the 2025 FEI World Championships for Combined Ponies, held at the prestigious Haras National du Pin Stud in Le Pin au Haras, France. The team was led by Chef d’Equipe Jeff Legg, with support from Team Veterinarian Dr. Crystal Riczu and Team Leader Steven Morrissey.

Reflecting on the event, Legg said, “There were highs and lows this week, but all combinations will leave the World Championship feeling they gained invaluable experiences which can be applied to their future driving. It is great to have graduates from the USEF Developing Athlete Program on the Team, and it was a pleasure to have two combinations attending their first World Championship alongside an experienced athlete competing in her second.”

Sarah Reitz of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., paired with her own Fferm Gwenffrwd Onxy Star—a 2007 Welsh pony gelding (Hilin Peredur x Cottrell Charmer)—was the top U.S. finisher, placing 31st overall out of 40 entries. They earned a combined three-phase score of 168.93, including a dressage score of 59.83, a marathon phase with 93.13 penalties (ranking 11th individually in that phase), and 15.97 penalties in the cones phase.

Teammate Anna Koopman from Middleburg, Va., competing with her 2010 Morgan gelding Chandler Creek Eclipse (Thunder Michelangelo x FP Sunday Morning Coffee), finished 39th overall. This marked their second consecutive FEI World Championship appearance together, having also represented the U.S. in 2023.

Denise Loewe of Fort Collins, Colo., with her own Steppy IK—a 2013 Haflinger cross gelding (Stepke IK x Hanna)—posted the highest U.S. dressage score of 56.37 on the first day. However, Loewe made the cautious decision to withdraw from the remainder of the competition after noticing Steppy IK was not feeling fully well.

The 2025 FEI World Championship for Combined Ponies concluded the trio of FEI Driving World Championships held this summer. Looking ahead, the next FEI Driving World Championships will take place in 2026. The Four-in-Hand Horse Championship will be held in Aachen, Germany, during the FEI World Championships next summer, while the Single Horse Championship is scheduled for September 1–6, 2026, in Munich, Germany.