Standardbred Stars - Pro Gem and Jennifer Sperry

Our Combined Driving Horse is PRO GEM, driven by Jennifer Sperry with her husband, Steve, navigating.  PRO GEM raced as a trotter in California until he was six years old, earning nearly $25,000 during his career.   This gelding quickly became a part of the family with his friendly and willing nature.  He has competed in California Combined Driving Events, also called CDE’s, driving as a single and in a pair. Combined Driving is an exciting spectator oriented sport similar to the under-saddle Three Day Event, testing the driving horse in his conditioning and versatility, as well as the capability and judgment of the driver. The speed necessary for today’s CDE’s can be seen in the history of the Standardbred breed. As a dependable and athletic horse, the Standardbred brought horse racing to the common man. Neighbors would challenge each other to race, each thinking they had the fastest horse. These harness races were a little different than mounted races, because the horses raced at the TROT…. the horses are NOT allowed to break gait into a canter or gallop. Pro Gem is a fine example of how well a Standardbred transitions from harness race horse to a competitive driving horse with the stamina, fitness and obedience needed to excel in this sport.  In a CDE Cones Course the object is to complete the course in the right sequence in the allowed time without knocking off any of the balls. This tests the horse’s agility and willingness, as well as the skill and accuracy of the driver.  The sport is open to all breeds and Standardbreds, like PRO GEM, with their natural trotting gait and agreeable personalities make great combined driving horses and can have successful second careers after leaving the racing world.