Driving is a combination carriage driving sport, in which drivers may only communicate with their horses by hands and voice. There are three phases:
1) Presentation and dressage.
2) Marathon (tests speed and endurance).
3) Cones (test of accuracy)
Popularity
Once thought of elitist and exclusive, driving over the last few years has exploded in popularity, as riders view driving as an extension of equine sports.
Location
With the rise in popularity in equine activities, there are now competitions and training events held throughout the year all over the country, well within all drivers reach.
Ability
Competitions are contested at four levels;
Training.
Preliminary.
Intermediate.
Advanced.
Each level is further divided into.
Horse or pony and number and arrangement of the horses: singles, pairs, and multiples, tandems and fours.
Description
Presentation is judged on the cleanliness of the horses, tack, and vehicle and the dress of the driver and groom.
The dressage test is similar to the mounted version, although it only calls for movements at the walk and trot.
The marathon has hazards set throughout the course to test the speed and agility of the horses. Obstacles may include water, tight twists through trees, steep hills, and pens.
In the cone section the driver negotiates a course of up to 20 sets of tightly spaced cones.
Dedication
All activities related to keeping or looking after a horse need dedication, with driving, even at novice levels, add hours of necessary regular schooling in the search for improvement or perfection of the various paces and transitions.
Closely
Related Activities
Coaching 227, Dressage 230, Eventing 232, Showing 242,
Cost
Driving carries all of the normal costs of keeping a highly schooled horse and of traveling to competitions. Plus the expense of the carriage and transportation.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
Energy |
Arms
|
Legs
|
Sight
|
Hearing
|
Speech |
Learning |
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