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The Sports |
Driving |
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Driving is the sport of using
horses or ponies to pull a variety of carriages over a predesignated
course. The present day Carriage driving competitions, with emphasis on
stamina, manoeuvrability and elegance, go back to the middle of the 19th
century. Long distance competitions tested the stamina - Dressage
competitions tested the elegance and are called Concours d’Elegance -
Obstacle driving courses tested the manoeuvrability. Driving was accepted
as an official FEI discipline in 1969. Combined
driving is a competition in which several of the tests are combined and
the overall score provides the winner.
In 1970 the new Combined Driving Rules were tried out at two national levels in Windsor (Gbr) and in the US and, finally, at the first CAI in July 1970 in Lucerne (Sui). In 1971 the first European Championship was held, in 1972 the first World Championship. The first ten years of the FEI Driving Events, only competitions for Four-in-Hand teams were held. In the early eighties competitions for Pairs of horses were added. In the nineties competitions for Single horses followed and now we have also competitions for Ponies. But the Four-in-Hand remained the most spectacular part of International Carriage Driving. Showring driving classes are: Private Driving
Light Trade
Concour d'Elegance
Scurry Driving
Additional show ring classes include Ride-and-Drive and Heavy Horse
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| New Zealand Driving Information | |
For information on driving in New Zealand contact:  *recently updated and relaunched, this is an elegant website, with contact lists, events and lots of photos and information
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| Typical Phases of a Combined Driving Competition | |
| PRESENTATION Judged on the appearance of the driver and grooms and the cleanliness, fitness, matching, and condition of the horses or ponies, harness, and vehicle. Entries will be judged at the halt. It will include a safety check and check of spares.
PACES & MOVEMENTS IN DRIVING DRESSAGE THE HALT:At the halt, the horses should stand attentively, motionless, and straight, with the weight evenly distributed over all four legs; and be ready to move off at the slightest indication of the competitor. THE WALK: A free, regular, and unconstrained walk of moderate extension is required. The horses should walk energetically but calmly, with even and determined steps. THE WORKING TROT: This is a pace between the extended and the collected trot and is more rounded than the extended trot. The horses go forward freely and straight, engaging the hind legs with good hock action, on a taut but light rein, the position being balanced and unconstrained. The steps should be as even as possible, hind feet precisely following the tracks of the forefeet. The degree of energy and impulsion displayed at the working trot denotes clearly the degree of suppleness and balance of the horses. THE COLLECTED TROT: The neck is raised, thus enabling the shoulders to move with greater ease in all directions, the hocks being well engaged and maintaining energetic impulsion, despite the slower movement. The horses' steps are shorter, but they are lighter and more mobile. THE EXTENDED TROT: Horses cover as much ground as possible. They lengthen their stride, remaining on the bit with light contact. As a result of great impulsion from the quarters, the horses use their shoulders, covering more ground at each step without their action becoming higher. THE REIN BACK: The rein back is a kind of walk backwards, the legs being raised and set down simultaneously by diagonal pairs, the hind legs remaining well in line and the legs being well raised. THE TRANSITIONS: The changes of pace and speed should always be made quickly, be smooth, and not be abrupt. The cadence of a pace should be maintained up to the moment when the pace is changed or the horses halt. The horses remain light in hand, calm, and maintained in a correct position The Marathon Section Objective - "To test the standard of fitness and stamina of the horse(s) and the judgment of pace and horsemanship of the driver." The key to the marathon is pace, not race. Using only kilometre markers on course, a stopwatch, and the cadence of the horse's walk or trot, the driver must complete the pre-measured distances within a precisely measured period of time. Penalty points are scored for being off the optimum time, and drivers must be careful to pass through all the marked gates on the course or risk elimination. In addition, each section of the course must be driven at a specific gait (walk or trot). Any break in gait longer than 5 seconds is penalized. The Obstacle Course(s) In the final section, an extra effort is demanded of already tired horses and drivers. Using natural or man-made obstacles, the course designer adds "Obstacles" to the course which test the horse's agility, strength, courage, and obedience as well as the skill and judgment of the whip. Obstacles consist of a series of lettered gates which must be driven in order. Each obstacle presents a totally different problem. Some ask the horse to negotiate water crossings, tight twists through trees or even the visual problems created by lines and lines of fences or pens with narrow openings. Drivers must find the fastest route through each obstacle since their score is based on how long they spend in the "obstacle zone".
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| Driving Links | |
Neroli's Place - NZ Carriage Driving Information
The Carriage Driving List - Internet Mailing List 
Coyaltix Carriages (GER)
in english
Coyaltix Carriages (US)
Lincolnshire
Horse Driving Trials Group
- England
Carriage Driving Global (US)
- An almanac of carriage driving worldwide
Journey's End -
Hard to find Coaching and Driving Merchandise
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