Everything seemed to be going perfectly for Suzy Stafford as she prepared for the 2005 World Combined Pony Driving Championships. She’d been selected to the U.S. squad with Beverly Lescher’s Courage To Lead after an amazing qualifying season, in which they were nearly undefeated in the advanced single pony division and earned the 2004 National Single Pony Championship at Gladstone (N.J.).

But just a few days before the pony was to ship to England for the championships, she pulled a muscle and went out of commission. Stafford was devastated. “I really thought [my opportunity] was over,” she said.

But fate sometimes has uncommon timing, and just as Stafford lost her pony to injury, another pony, named Cefnoakpark Bouncer, lost his driver. And after all parties involved discovered their situation and regrouped, a new partnership was formed that resulted in the United States’ first individual gold medal in combined driving.

“I’m ecstatic that it happened to me,” said Stafford, smiling. “I’m surprised I’m the first one who has done it as there are so many great American drivers who could have. I think it did more for the sport than for me personally. I’m happy that people are noticing our sport and that someone in driving won a gold medal. It just happened to be me.”

In the world of driving, Stafford’s a relative newcomer. She began riding at age 13 and joined Middletown Pony Club (Del.), eventually concentrating on eventing. After she suffered a severe ankle injury at age 20 and riding became difficult, she looked into driving. Stafford found her niche and began working for pairs driving veteran Lisa Singer in 2000, and she’s been under her tutelage ever since.

After taking two lessons from Singer, Stafford bought a pony and a cart. “Once I make a decision, that’s the decision,” said Stafford, laughing. “If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it well.”

She immersed herself in combined driving and quickly rose up the levels, striving to learn everything she could from one of the best in the sport. “I’m so proud of her,” said Singer. “She’s an incredibly dedicated person and really worked hard for this.”

Stafford started her advanced career in 2003, and with Lescher’s “Katie,” she set her sights on the second pony driving championships, held in Derbyshire, England. But she couldn’t have imagined the deviations that would take place before the conclusion of the event and her golden moment on the podium.

“She had a bumpy road getting [to the championships],” added Singer. “It’s nice that the road flattened out for her.”

After receiving permission from the U.S. Equestrian Federation for the switch of driver and pony, Stafford flew to England to meet Sybil and Wayne Humphreys’ Bouncer. She drove him just three times before they contested the Sandringham CAI, two weeks before the championships, where they placed fifth.

“He was already pretty fit and well schooled,” said Stafford. “Sybil and [Bouncer’s former driver] Muffy Seaton did all of the hard work. He had a ton of show miles and knew the job, so I feel like I just did some finishing touches and put my spin on him.”

With assistance from the U.S. Equestrian Team’s crew of trainers, veterinarians, farriers and other support staff, Stafford concentrated on enhancing Bouncer’s fitness and overall health in the few weeks leading up to the championships. She also worked to bond with the gelding–and not just while holding the lines.

“I fed him, cleaned his stall, and really got to know him,” she said. “I changed a few things to make it easier for me to drive him, but otherwise I didn’t do much.”

With a background in riding and driving clients’ horses and ponies, Stafford was confident entering the championship. “Working at Lisa’s, I drive lots of different animals,” she said. “I’m a curious person too. I like to figure them all out–that’s part of the fun.”

At the championships, the pair placed an impressive third in dressage with an elegant and flowing test, and, combined with a solid fifth-place in the marathon, they led the way going into the cones phase. And with owner Sybil on the carriage as groom, Stafford and Bouncer kept their lead through the twisty and demanding course.

With the American flags waving and the crowd cheering, the trio took a victory pass to celebrate their history making moment. “It was amazing. I’d love to do it again,” said Stafford. “I have a lot of time, so I’m going to keep competing and training and, hopefully, I’ll be picked for future teams.”

But after the championships, Stafford didn’t have long to savor the moment. She packed her belongings, said good-bye to Bouncer and the Humphreys, and headed to Austria to groom for Singer at the World Pairs Driving Championships in September, where Singer was 11th, the highest-placed U.S. driver.
But what would become of this gold-medal partnership between Stafford and Bouncer?

“I’m very grateful it turned out the way it did,” she said. “The Humphreys are fantastic people, and I respect that they gave me their pony and trusted me. They put no pressure on me. We got him there, and they were just happy with that.

“If I didn’t have a sponsor [Lescher] already, I would drive Bouncer again,” said Stafford. “But I’m loyal to those who have helped me. The Humphreys did offer Bouncer to me and said he was there for me if anything changed. Both Bev and the Humphreys are such great people, so that makes me even a luckier person. Hopefully, they will find someone else to drive Bouncer who will give as much back to them as they gave to me.”

Personal Profile
Age: 29.
Home: Bear, Del.
Family: Parents Linda Gallo and Bill Stafford, older brother Bill and younger sister Sheri.
Key Players: Lisa Singer, trainer, and Claudia DeLorme, navigator.
Pets: Dalmatian Comet, Doberman Ruby and donkey Charlie.
Ponies: 3-year-old Morgan named Mona Mi and yearling Morgan-New Forest named Sigment.
Gold-medal Partner: Sybil and Wayne Humphreys’ Cefnoakpark Bouncer, 10-year-old Welsh Cob (Tireve Tywysog Du–Cefn Maryanne, Cefn Maestro).
Competition Partner: Beverly Lescher’s 9-year-old, Morgan mare Courage To Lead.
Hobbies: “I like to draw and paint–I wouldn’t say I’m an artist, but enjoy I it,” said Stafford.

2005 Competitive highlights
World Combined Pony Driving Championships–singles individual gold medal & fifth with U.S. team (Cefnoakpark Bouncer)
Sandringham CAI (England)–fifth advanced singles (Cefnoakpark Bouncer)
Bromont International (Canada)–first (Courage To Lead)
Fair Hill International (Md.)–first (Courage To Lead)
Live Oak (Fla.)–second (Courage To Lead)