Horse Competitions - Driving

Driving
This is the term used to describe a horse drawn vehicle, which can be pulled by a single, pair or team of horses.

Competition Driving
There are three phases to competition driving which are; Dressage, Marathon and Obstacle Driving.

Dressage
A series of movements have to be performed in a rectangular arena of approximately 100 by 40 meters. Movements such as circles, turns and transitions have to be executed and it is the way they are performed that will either gain or lose marks, with high marks given for accuracy, smoothness, impulsion, elegance and overall control.
Marathon
This tests the horses fitness, stamina, control and pace. The course is a mixture between man made obstacles such as bridges and natural obstacles such as streams and undulations, all designed to test the overall control of the horses in harness and the dirvers judgement of pace and fitness levels.
Obstacle Course
Cones are positioned around an arena to mark out a course of turns which the driver will have to steer through. On top of each cone a small ball is placed, this shows very clearly if a cone has been knocked as the ball falls off. The horses must be agile and attentive as well as quick thinking in order to complete the obstacle course without penalties.

Official Bodies
Driving became a sport of the FEI (Federation Eqestrie International) in 1970 and is fast becomming a popular disciplne.

FEI Competitions