Combined driving
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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. Part of the challenge of combined driving is that the drivers may only communicate to their horses using their hands and voice.
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[edit] Phases
[edit] Phase A1: Presentation
The judge grades on the cleanliness 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.
- 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 should wear brown gloves, as well as a driving hat and 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 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 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.
- General Impression: judged on dress and position of driver and grooms, and suitability of horses and harness to the carriage.
[edit] Phase A2: Dressage
The dressage test is similar to the mounted version, although it only calls for movements at the walk and trot.
The test is performed in a 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, Training, Priliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Movements may include the walk, the working trot, collected trot, extended trot, the halt, and the reinback. Multiple horses should move in harmony and should have similar conformation, action, and movement. The horses should remain on the bit throughout the test, and should maintain 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 combined driving test allows the use of the voice as an aid.
[edit] 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.
The phase 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 built 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 ff the optimum time for the whole course.
[edit] The Sections
The marathon phase is divided into either 3 or 5 sections, based on the level of competition. At the lower levels, only sections A,B, and E are required, while the higher levels also must drive sections C and D. Each section has an optimum time, and if a carriage is over or under the optimum time, they receive penalty points. A team may also receive penalty points for not driving a section at the required gait.
A veterinary check follows section B to ensure that the horses are fit to continue, as well as section D (if included). Section C and D add another walk and trot section, and another veterinary check. Section E must be driven at the trot at the Training and Preliminary levels, but higher levels may drive section E at any gait. However, they must walk or trot after the final hazard.
A - 7 kilometers at any pace
B - 1.16 kilometers at the walk
C - 4.5 kilometers at the trot
D - 1.16 kilometers at the walk
E - 9.5 kilometers at the trot, obstacles at any speed
[edit] Phase C: Cones
The cones phase is a test of accuracy, similar to the stadium phase of eventing. A driver negotiates a course of up to 20 sets of cones with a ball balanced on top. The cones are a set number of centimeters in distance wider than the wheels of the cart (from 50 cm at the lower levels, to only 20 cm at the advanced level). If a ball is knocked off, penalty points are awarded. There are also obstacles made of raised rails in a U or right angle, and a wooden bridge. The cones section is timed. Circling before an obstacle and refusals are also awarded penalty points.
[edit] The Levels and Divisions of Combined Driving
The levels of combined driving in the United States is 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, fours, and unicorns.
[edit] The Carriages
For the presentation and dressage phase, carriages and harness are often fine and beautiful, built along traditional lines. 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, aluminum or other alloys and may have hydraulic disc brakes on front and rear wheels, low center 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.
[edit] The People
- The Driver or Whip: The person who controls the horses and carriage
- The Groom: Grooms are used in the dressage and obstacle cone driving phases. They are not allowed to speak or signal to the competitor in any way. They are seated beside or behind the driver. One groom is used for singles and pairs and two grooms for four-in-hand.
- The Navigator: The navigator is often a groom, if one was used, from the earlier phases. He or she helps the competitor on the marathon phase to stabilize the carriage around fast and tight turns by leaning inward. He also helps the driver with timing and direction. A navigator is required on the marathon phase. He or she does not, however, have to be an active competitor. The navigator is sometimes referred to as the "gator" or "backstepper" because he stands on a specially designed platform on the back of the carriage.
[edit] 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 right horse as a "wheeler" or "leader". Leaders are often flashier and have greater presence than wheelers.
