Combined Driving is an equestrian sport comprising gigantic carriage driving, wherein the driver rides the carriage drawn by a single, double or four horses. Governed by the Federation of Equestrian Internationale (FEI), the sport was recognised as equestrian discipline in 1970. The 3-phase sport involves Dressing, Cross country marathon and obstacle cone driving.
Driving Competitions are classified as Concours d’Attelage (CA) by FEI. World Championships are denoted as Championnat du Monde Attelage(CH-M-A). Single horse and Four-in-hand World Championship are held every two years in an even numbered year while Horse pairs are held in odd years. Boyd Exell (AUS) is the undisputed eight-time Champion of FEI Indoor World Cup Driving.
The driving of horses has a longer history. It can be traced back to Ancient Greece, when chariot races were a part of the Olympic games. After Industrialization, horses became rare but royal. Benno Von Achenbach revolutionized the driving sport in the early 20th Century and made it horse-friendly and sustainable with an improved training system and improved way of holding the leashes.
The First Driving competition took place in 1972 in Munster after which it hasn’t made a comeback in the Olympic Games.
Competition Phases
Phase A: Driven Dressage
Presentation and Dressage carries a maximum of 10 penalties each. The judge grades on the turnout, safety, cleanliness, general condition and impression of the horses, track and vehicle, the matching of the horses or ponies, and the dress of the driver and the grooms.
Phase B: Marathon
The marathon is closely aligned to the second phase of eventing, the speed and endurance. It tests the fitness and stamina of the horses as well as drivers’ intellect regarding the horse pace, over a 10-22 km course. It’s the crowd pulling and the most thrilling section of the match.
Phase C: Obstacle Cone Driving
This is a test of speed, accuracy and obedience, equivalent to the show jumping phase of eventing. Competitors walk the cone course and negotiate a course of upto 20 pairs of cones. The course may also include raised rails in a U or at 90°, and a wooden bridge. Penalties are awarded for exceeding the time limit. Further penalties can be awarded for knocking down a ball from any of the cones on the course.
Being a 3-phase competition, all scores are totalled in tandem to convert them later into penalty points. Thus, the driver with the lowest penalty score is the winner.
Driving is a very versatile sport requiring complex handling of horses. This stylish sport, with its vintage touch, keeps the adrenaline rush high.
