Turn ‘n’ Burn: 19-y/o Jacob Arnold sweeps Little Everglades

Most teenage boys are all about burning rubber–but combined driving wunderkind Jacob Arnold is taking it to a whole new level. Dana Diemer reports on last weekend’s CDE winner.

From Dana:

Driving wunderkind Jacob Arnold started his 2012 season with a bang. Arnold, 19, from Snow Camp, North Carolina, topped the division of advanced drivers this past weekend at the Little Everglades International CDE in Dade City, Florida.

This marks the second year in a row he has come home with Little Everglades blue, but this year he is getting to know a new partner, Halstead’s Shale. Affectionately known as Hal the Hackney, the nine-year-old registered Hackney horse was produced to the level by his owner Marcie Quist. Hal and Marcie racked up an impressive first season at advanced last year with wins at Live Oak and Pinetree CDEs, and placings at Little Everglades and The Laurels.  Jacob was handed the reins in January, and with limited time to get acquainted have  announced their presence on the national combined driving scene.

Driving is a family affair with the Arnolds. Dad Mike is an American Driving Society board member, mom Penny is team photographer and head of logistics, and that’s younger brother Samuel on the backstep for marathon and cones. Longtime Hal supporter Reba Wagner assumes the role of groom for dressage, a requirement for all turnouts at advanced level. Jacob hopes to make the transition eventually to four-in-hand and to earn the honor of representing the United States in international competition.

Photo credits: Picsofyou.com