Combined driving also known as Horse Driving Trials is an equestrian sport involving carriage driving. The sport has three phases, and is most similar to the mounted equestrian sport of eventing. It is one of the ten international equestrian sport horse disciplines recognized by the FEI.
The sport is carried out at different levels in the UK, most people starting driving by joining a local club or by competing at one-day indoor driving events which are held in winter. Affiliated events are run under the rules of the British Horse Driving Trials Association (BHDTA). The clubs also hold one and two-day events during the summer. Keen drivers can qualify to take part in national events from which they may put themselves forward to be selected to represent their country if they are successful. There are about 160 drivers competing at national level in the UK and about 400 competing in the winter indoor trials. Because a driver always needs a groom, it's possible to take part as such and to enjoy the competition as much as the driver (and horse).
Contents |
Phases
Phase A1: Presentation
The judge grades on the turnout, safety, cleanliness, general condition and impression of the horses, tack, and vehicle, the matching of the horses or ponies, and the dress of the driver and groom(s). The judging is done at the halt. Pre-novice and novice drivers are judged primarily on safety and fit of the harness and vehicle and a three-phase or marathon vehicle and harness is acceptable. Presentation is judged on the move during the dressage test for more advanced drivers. Presentation carries a maximum of ten penalties.
- Driver, Grooms and Passengers: All persons should be clean and smartly dressed. The livery of the grooms should fit and match if there is more than one groom. The whip should be the correct length, based on the number of horses used. The driver and groom(s) should wear brown gloves, as well as a driving hat and the driver wears an apron.
- Horse(s): The horses should be clean and well-conditioned. If there are several horses, they should be of similar size and type (build), although the wheelers may be larger than the leaders. Matching color is secondary to matching type and size. Manes may or may not be braided, but should be level. Tails should not be braided.
- Harness: Should be "sound, clean, and fit correctly". Harness, if more than one horse is used, should match, although different bits may be used. The overall harness should also match. Martingales other than false martingales are not permitted. Harness straps should not be buckled on the last hole, so that adjustment may be made should a piece of harness break.
- Vehicle: carriage should be the correct size and weight for the horse, as should the height and length of the poles for pairs and fours. Lamps are required at the advanced level, but only required at the training, preliminary, and intermediate levels if the carriage has lamp brackets. A set of spares should be carried on the vehicle in case of emergency: a spare trace of the correct size, a rein splice, a hole punch and similar items are traditionally included. These may be inspected by the judge and the groom will be expected to know how to use them.
- General impression: judged on dress and position of driver and grooms, and suitability of horses and harness to the carriage.
Phase A2: Dressage
The dressage test is somewhat similar to dressage under saddle. The test is performed in a 40- by 80 or 40- by 100- meter arena with letter markers, where transitions in speed and gait are to take place. The judge scores each movement on a scale of 0-10, with a 10 being the highest mark possible. The difficulty of the test increases with each subsequent level of competition. At the lower levels, only one judge will normally be positioned at C (the centre of the short side of the arena) and the Test may have 16 movements. At higher levels, 3 judges may be used and at International competitions and World Championships there may be up to 5 judges, with the Championship Test having 25 movements. The judges' marks are averaged (added together and divided by the number of judges).
Dressage movements may include circles, figures of eight, and crossing the diagonal and all paces - walk, working trot, collected trot, extended trot, canter, a halt, and a rein back. Multiple horses are judged on ability to move in harmony and ideally will have similar conformation, action, and movement. Horses are to remain on the bit throughout the test, maintaining impulsion, elasticity, rhythm, and forward movement. The goal is to make the test look effortless, and an obedient and responsive horse is essential for a good dressage test.
Unlike a ridden dressage test, a driven test allows the use of the voice as an aid. At international level, dressage tests are prepared by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (F.E.I.) which is the governing body of competitive carriage driving.[1]
Phase B: Marathon
The marathon is similar to the second phase of eventing, the speed and endurance. It tests the fitness and stamina of the horses, as well as the driver's knowledge of pace, over a 10-22 km course, divided into 3 or 5 sections. The marathon is the most thrilling phase to watch, and often draws the largest crowds.
Section "E" of the marathon is similar to the cross-country phase of eventing. It has obstacles or "hazards" throughout the course to test the speed and agility of the horses, and the driving ability of the whip. Obstacles may include water, tight twists through trees or man-made obstacles, steep hills, or fences and pens. Drivers are scored on how quickly they can negotiate the obstacle, and must find the fastest route through each. Penalty points are given if too much time is spent in an obstacle, or if the team comes in off the optimum time for the whole course.
The sections
The marathon phase can have three or five sections at national level competitions in the UK although three sections are increasingly common owing to the FEI adopting this format at world championships. Throughout the marathon and in the obstacles the groom can speak to the driver and assist using his or her weight and balance to keep the carriage upright or to bounce it off the obstacle uprights. The groom (usually) helps to keep the pace up by checking the kilometre markers on the course against the published timings for each section, allowing for ground conditions and the horse's fitness.
Each section has a time window and if a turnout finishes under or outside the time (depending on which section is being driven), penalty points may be awarded. A competitor may also receive penalty points for not driving a section at the required gait.
Below are the five sections and their UK maximum lengths and speeds:
- A - 10 kilometres at any pace (14 km/h ponies/15 km/h horses)
- B - 1 kilometre at walk (6 km/h/7km/h)
- C - 4 kilometres at a fast trot (17 km/h/19 km/h)
- D - 1 kilometre at walk (6 km/h/7km/h)
- E - 9 kilometres and up to eight obstacles at any pace, with the last designated 300 to 500 m at walk or trot with no stopping for any reason. (13 km/h/14 km/h)
A time window - a minimum and a maximum time - is calculated for each section according to the length of the section, the average speed of the turnout and whether it is pulled by horses or ponies. After each walk section there is a ten-minute halt where the horses can be cooled and watered. A veterinary check may follow section D to ensure that the horses are fit to continue.
A recent innovation in the UK is the introduction of the "short marathon" at club events which usually means only section E and (some of) the obstacles are driven. This is usually a class designed to encourage drivers of small ponies and young ponies and horses or for inexperienced and junior drivers. It enables newcomers to gain experience and confidence.
Obstacle driving
Obstacles, sometimes known as hazards, frequently take advantage of natural features, being sited around trees and on slopes, but are typically solidly-built sections of posts and rails. National events have decorated and/or brightly painted obstacles which are more exciting to the eye, however many clubs have venues where the obstacles are permanent and these are more likely to be imaginatively dressed than sites where the obstacles are built specially for each event.
Driving any horse or pony and carriage around an obstacle at speed requires practice and a rapport between driver, animal(s) and groom(s). Timing starts as the horse's nose crosses the start line and ends when his nose crosses the finish line, frequently the same markers.
Phase C: Cones
The cones phase is a test of accuracy, speed and obedience, equivalent to the show jumping phase of eventing. Competitors walk the cones course before they drive it. The driver negotiates a course of up to 20 pairs of cones, each cone having a ball balanced on top. The cones are only a few centimeters wider than the wheels of the carriage, depending on the level of the class and the type of turnout (from 50 cm at the lower levels, to only 22 cm at the advanced singles level). Knocking over one or both of a pair of cones adds three penalties to the driver's score. There are also obstacles made of raised rails in a U or right angle, and a wooden bridge. The cones section is timed and going over the time set for the driver's class leads to penalties. Circling before an obstacle and refusals are also awarded penalty points.
The levels and divisions of combined driving
The levels of combined driving in the United States are similar to that of eventing:
- Training
- Preliminary
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Each level is further divided into divisions:
- Horse or pony
- Number and arrangement of horses: singles, pairs, and multiples, which is made up of tandems t(two horses in line), fours (two pairs in line), and unicorns (two horses attached to the carriage with one in the centre in front of them).
In the UK, where the sport is commonly known as horse driving trials, the levels are, for affiliated club competitions, pre-novice, novice, open - singles and multiples. National-level classes are divided into intermediate, open and advanced singles, and also pairs, tandems and teams (four-in-hands). The driver qualifies for the class usually by successfully competing in a lower class although for advanced singles the driver and horse or pony combination qualifies. Most people start driving with a single pony or horse and these can range from 32 inches to 17 hands (68 inches). Many clubs run a special class for the smallest ponies.
The carriages
For the presentation and dressage phase, carriages and harness are often leather, built along traditional lines, and designed for attractive appearance. The Spider phaeton is one of the more commonly used types of carriage for dressage. Competitors may use either 2-wheeled or 4-wheeled vehicles, but 4-wheelers are most often used in modern competition. Many competitors have a second carriage for the marathon phase. Most marathon vehicles are of a modern design, tailor made for competition. They are manufactured from steel, aluminium or other alloys and may have hydraulic disc brakes on front and rear wheels, low centre of gravity and very small turning circle. A tougher harness is also used in the marathon phase, often made from synthetic materials rather than the traditional leather.
"Three-phase" carriages are popular, especially at entry levels, as drivers need only one vehicle. These carriages have extending axles to make the rear wheels the required width for the dressage and cones phases (currently 138 cms minimum for all pony and for single and tandem horse classes). All carriages for the marathon phase are 125 cms minimum track width, measured on the ground and on the rear wheels.
Indoor driving trials carriages should be a minimum of 125 cms for all phases.
The people
- The driver or whip: The person who controls the horses and carriage through the use of the reins, whip and voice. The driver may speak to the horses at any time without penalty.
- The groom: The groom is indispensable to the driver who, for reasons of safety, must stay on the carriage to hold the reins and control the horses while they are hitched or put to the carriage. The groom sits on the carriage either beside or behind the driver for the dressage and cones phases and may stand on the back of the carriage for the marathon (and may stand in all phases in indoor driving trials). The groom, who must be able-boldied, helps the driver to hitch or put the horse to the carriage - and helps unhitch - can jump off the carriage to adjust the harness or to correct a problem if required to do so by the driver (although doing this while actually in the competition arena or in an obstacle is penalised). When the competitor is performing dressage and in the obstacle cones driving phases, the groom should not speak or assist the driver except in very specific circumstances. Normally all types of turnout carry one groom except four-in-hands which have two.
- The navigator: Navigating the course and obstacle routes on the marathon phase is an important part of the groom's job and usually, on a four-in-hand carriage, the navigator stands on the carriage immediately behind the driver and a second groom stands behind the navigator and has the task of keeping the carriage upright. The navigator reminds the driver where to go and usually keeps the time with a stopwatch or two: during the marathon phase and in the obstacles the grooms can speak and signal to the driver. A single groom combines navigating routes with timing and keeping the carriage balanced. The step or steps on the carriage behind the driver are called the backstep and the grooms are also called backsteppers.
Although there is a seat next to the driver on some marathon carriages - called the suicide seat - this is not generally used except in training or to thrill a sponsor.
The horses
The horse or pony may be of any breed, although warmbloods are often seen at the highest levels of competition. Morgans are also popular. The horse must be responsive, have a good mind, and be reliable. If multiple horses are used, they should be of similar height, build, and movement, and preferably similar color. When using multiple horses, it is important to choose the most suitable horse as a "wheeler" or "leader". Leaders are often flashier and have greater presence than wheelers. Ponies are popular driving animals in the UK and Welsh ponies and cobs have a special aptitude, intelligence and presence in all driving disciplines. Hackney horses and part-breds are popular, too, as their extravagant action combined with athleticism and stamina enables them to star in every phase of the competition.
Indoor driving
In 1998 Dick Carey and a group of enthusiasts in Sussex, England, started a series of winter one-day competitions based on the three phases of driving trials and held indoors. Using a marked dressage arena of only 20 by 50 m, all the drivers learn and perform the same dressage test, called Precision and Paces (P&P). This takes only five minutes and is marked by two judges, one judging only the paces and one judging the precision and accuracy of the figures. Each judge has a scorer standing close by and the scorer holds up the number for each of the ten movements so the event scorer (and audience) can see it. After P&P, the arena is cleared and a cones course of ten pairs of cones is set out: everyone walks the course and an optimum time is set based on the length of the course and a speed of 220m/minute. Going faster or slower than this means the driver is awarded penalties for each second: knocking a ball down adds five penalties.
After everyone has driven the cones, two obstacles are built and then the drivers and grooms walk them, choosing the best route for their turnout. The drivers come back into the arena one-at-a-time in their class, in reverse order - best goes last - and drive the obstacles as fast as possible. Then they drive them a second time. The drivers with the lowest score in their class are the winners. Although they were originally thought to be the poor relation of driving trials, indoor events are bringing more people into the sport and provide a training ground for more serious competitors and their inexperienced horses and ponies. Audiences love the variety of the horses and ponies - from 34-inch (860 mm) miniature Shetland ponies to 16.2 hand Gelderlanders, they all drive the same courses and are only feet away from the spectators.
References
Indoor Horse Driving Trials Club UK
External links
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