DREW'S NATIONAL TITLE
Dear Family, Friends & Fellow Equine Enthusiasts,
I am delighted to announce that Drew Callahan, along with his Morgan combined driving partner Export, are the US Equestrian Federation National Combined Driving Singles Champions for 2004!
The competition held at High Prairie Farm in Parker, CO for the 2nd year in a row was a wonderful success. The event started with the advanced dressage class on Friday, all the advanced competitors drove their dressage tests in the pouring rain! There were several accurate and elegant driven dressage tests at the show. Even with the downpour the footing in the arena remained solid. Drew and Export had a very good dressage test and were in a close 2nd place after dressage.
On Saturday, with much better weather, Drew and Export ventured out onto the marathon course. The marathon course, designed by Jamie O'Rourke, was a technical, yet fair challenge to competitors. Drew drove Export flawlessly, they maneuvered through the hazards expediently yet with ease. Drew and Export won six out of seven hazards on the course. Drew's closest competitor was unfortunately eliminated in the 3rd hazard. This gave Drew a healthy lead going into the last phase of the event - the cones course.
Drew held off his competitors on the final leg of the CDE in the cones course, which was also designed by Jamie O'Rourke. The cones were very tight, technical and difficult to negotiate. Not one advanced competitor was able to maneuver through the cones course to go double clean.
All in all, it was a great show for Drew and Export, they are proud to represent the sport of combined driving with the US Equestrian Federation Combined Driving Singles championship title for 2004.
We'd like to extend a special THANK YOU to - Shelley McPherson - for 'holding down the fort' while we were out of town - you helped make it possible for us to enjoy this special win. We'd like to thank Pat Werts for her help at the show cleaning the carriage and all that goes with it! We'd also like to thank Drew's cousins - Steve & Shawn Urban for letting us stay at your house while in Parker! Another special thank you goes out to Drew's parents - Tom & Janet Callahan - for all your help, dedication & support at the show and beyond! Thank you to my co-workers at the Dallas Knoll office for all your positive thoughts & on-going support! Last, but certainly not least, thank you to all Drew's clients - past, present & future for believing in his training methods and his ability to get the job done!!
Best Regards,
Jennifer Callahan
Links to articles written regarding the 2004 National Championship Show
Equisearch Article
US Equestrian Article
Douglas County News Article
Bridle & Bit Article
Horseweb Article
Horses Daily Article
Chronicle of the Horse Article
Horses In the South Article
Drew & Export cantering through a hazard at the National Championship Show, Parker, CO Fall 2004
Photo courtesy of Massie Photography
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