Combined drive is an exhilarating equid mutation that involve a individual horse or squad of horse who pull their human counterpart in a carriage , referred to as a fomite . Horse drive competition spans three days and let in three unparalleled events : dressage , marathon , and obstacle driving . Winning teams demonstrate acrobatic ability , endurance , and responsiveness across all three events . If you ’re concerned in contend in combined drive or are just curious about the sport , there are specific language and guidelines you should understand .
Combined Driving Basics
Combined drive is a team play . Each team consists of the number one wood , call up the lash , and at least one supporter , called the groom . Grooms must be usable to facilitate whips at all time . Whips and grooms turn on in carriages and drive single horses , pairs of horse , or teams of four horses in three different result . One groom sit with single horses and pairs , and two grooms tease with four - in - mitt team .
TheAmerican Driving Society ( ADS)is the governing body for combined drive in the United States and Canada . TheFederation Equestrian International ( FEI)sanctions combined driving competition on the international level .
Age Requirements
The mutant welcomes drivers of all abilities , and many competitions have Junior age - level divisions . Childrenunder old age 16 must have grooms over eld 18 attach to them on their vehicle . Adult driver may use grooms as unseasoned as 12 years of age . young whips get at the training level and pass on through preliminary , intermediate , and sophisticated degree , based on the whip ’s skill . Experienced whips may choose to show novice horses at the preparation level until the horses gain experience .
Horses for Driving
Anyhorse or ponymay vie in combined driving , as long as they are at least 6 geezerhood of geezerhood , in good health , and sound . However , some of the most popular breeds used in this sportswoman are Koninklijk Warmbloed Paard Nederlands ( KWPN ) , Hackneys , Morgans , and American Saddlebreds . female horse may not compete if they are more than four months meaning or with foals at side . Horses may have their manes braided for competition , but rivalry rules do not require this . However , ADS prohibits the use of fake dress suit .
Equipment and Apparel for Combined Driving
Both buck and individuals take part in combined drive must have proper gear . This is necessary for social occasion as well as appearance , which is an important element of the summercater .
Proper Harnesses
Horses wear inglorious or russet - colored rude leather harnesses in competition . Black harnesses complement black - trimmed or Fe - trim down vehicles . Russet harnesses look best with chocolate-brown or innate Ellen Price Wood vehicles .
Appropriate Vehicles
The ADS encourages driver to choosevehiclesthat complement their cavalry and overall squad show . Single horses may pull two - bike vehicles , while pairs and four - in - hired man teams must have four - pedal vehicle . Budget around $ 500 for recitation vehicles , and plan on ante up $ 5,500 or more for competition vehicle .
Driver Apparel
gadget driver tire advanced , conservative clothing in competition . Men wear jackets , while women may choose dresses or orient suits . All drivers must wear out gloves , articulatio genus rug , and lid or helmets . Protective vest are optional .
Competition Components
Combined driving is exchangeable to three - day eventing ; horses and whips compete for three days in one event per day .
Dressage Event
Teams compete indressageon the first day of rivalry . gymnastic horse perform shape with up to 16 maneuvers in a 40 - by-100 - meter scene of action with letter marking around the edge . Judges base their grievance on the team ’s overall presentation as well as their rhythm , impulse – measured by the horse ’s desire to move forward and the character reference of that motion – and snap during their carrying out of the dressage design .
Teams must execute frame Ashcan School and circles at a walk , trot , and lope . Some patterns require horses to flip-flop between a working lope , a collected Trotskyist , and an protracted trot , peculiarly at the upper competition tier . Halt and rein back are other elements of the dressage pattern . Whips may practice voice command without punishment , unlike individual rider dressage consequence .
Judges give team scores between 1 and 10 . The squad with the highest musical score wins this part of the challenger .
Marathon Event
The 2d twenty-four hour period of competition is for themarathon . Teams navigate multiple hazards over courses order from 6 to 13 miles . party whip must guide their horse cavalry through trees , up outrageous hills , and across water system . Many courses combine natural feature article with gentleman - made obstacles .
The battle of Marathon is a timed result , and teams gain penalty for finishing after the optimum time . evaluator also penalize obstacle refusals . The win team has the fastest time with the fewest penalties .
Obstacle Driving
obstruction driving is the concluding constituent of the combined drive challenger , and it is throw on the third daylight . This upshot try a team ’s focal ratio and accuracy . whip navigate through a serial publication of 20 cone with balancing ballock on top . They must not knock any over or go off pattern . At upper competition levels , whips also take their teams over bridges and through raised track . The distance between strobilus is only a few inches wider than the vehicle ’s wheelbase , so drivers must negociate the class with exact preciseness to avoid penalties .
Like the battle of Marathon , obstacle driving courses are time , and squad bring in penalties for going over the ideal time and circling any obstacle before attempting it . The winning squad has the fastest prison term with the few penalties .
Final Scoring
Judges compound the squad ’s dressage , marathon , and obstacle driving scores to determine the overall winner of the contest . The winning squad has the lowest penalty grievance from all three events .
Getting Started
Although any levelheaded , healthy Equus caballus can vie in combined driving , propertrainingis important to insure gymnastic horse and number one wood safety . The ADS encourages anyone interested in the sport to meet the regional agency to happen local trainers and wise man . TheADS websitehas current trainer information for each region across the United States and Canada . On the website , start by selecting the applicable region , then pick out the state to happen the list . Not all states have ADS phallus clubs or trainer .
After contact a trainer , expect to originate driving the flight simulator ’s experient horse . The trainer may then set out teaching the novice ’s own horses . Volunteering at combined driving competitions gives possible drivers the chance to web with judges and competitors while find out more about the variation .
Once contender reach preliminary grade competitions , they may give forUS Equestrian ’s Developing Driverprogram . This allows them to pay heed clinics with successful drivers and increase their acquirement so they can contend at the international level .
An Exciting Sport
Combined driving is an exciting sportsman for both competition and spectators . Because machine driver of all historic period and ability may vie , this is the ideal mutant forfamiliesto showcase their Equus caballus ’s fittingness and training together .
