As sure as the leaves turn from green to yellow, red or brown, signifying the end of summer, the round of driving championships indicates the end of the driving season.

"Hey!" a bunch of you are starting to say. Yes, for many ‘the season’ is just about to begin not end. Regardless, championships are a part of a cycle whenever it begins and ends.

We’re reporting in this issue on two world championships—for single horses and four-in-hands, and heartily congratulate Chester Weber on winning an Individual Silver Medal, a sweet ending to a very successful year for Weber. We’re also reporting on two USEF National Championships that were contested at The Laurels at Landhope in September—for pair horses and single, pair and four-in-hands of ponies. Lisa Singer, Suzy Stafford, Allison Stroud, and Tracey Morgan will have their names engraved on their respective trophies.

Not to diminish any of these champion’s achievements, but it is significant to point out that Weber drove against 58 other four-in-hand drivers, while Tracey Morgan was the only one in her class. Stroud only had one competitor to beat, Singer three pairs. At least there were 10 in Suzy Stafford’s class.

The number of Advanced Level competitors has been dwindling steadily for the past ten years. For a while, each time the FEI created a new world championship, drivers would drop down, first from four-in-hands to pairs of horses. There were a bunch of pairs in the early 90s. Then when the plan to hold a world championship for singles was hatched, pair drivers started driving singles. Then the pony championships came about—and you get my drift. By now things should have leveled off, but the total number of entries at the Advanced Level at most competitions continues to shrink. The good news is that the number of entries at the Intermediate Level is rising.

It has been great to see the Intermediate Level flourish following some smart rule changes by the ADS several years ago. The Intermediate Level is now a logical and progressive stepping stone for competitors moving up from Preliminary. But it wasn’t meant for Advanced competitors who don’t have world championship ambitions and who want to avoid all the fees and paperwork imposed in the last few years by the USEF.

Having worked on several events that are USEF sanctioned, I can attest to the fact that the burden upon the organizers is daunting and for many, a definite deterrent. The paperwork and fees forced upon the competitors is equally unappealing. Those drivers who just want to test themselves and their horses and ponies at the highest national level, are being shut out by the cost and red-tape. And now, faced with the current economic crisis, drivers, even the most affluent among us, will no doubt be tightening their belts.

I hope a solution can be found that will allow those who aspire to drive at the highest level to do so, even if their personal goal isn’t to drive at a world championship. The driving community needs a tip to our pyramid, just as we need a solid base.