Combined Driving
ACDS - Victorian Branch CDE Schedule Pro-forma  at at July 2010   2 column format here      3 column format here	Horse Height Measurement Conversion     Conversion formula:  inches x 2.54 = centimetres         centimetres x 0.39 = inches Horses Hands Inches cm 18 72 183 17.3 71 180.5 17.2 70 178 17.1 69 175.5 17 68 172.5 16.3 67 170 16.2 66 167.5 16.1 65 165 16 64 162.5 15.3 63 160 15.2 62 157.5 15.1 61 155 15 60 152.5 14.3 59 150 14.2 58 147.5 Ponies Hands Inches cm 14.2 58 147.5 14.1 57 145 14 56 142 13.3 55 139.5 13.2 54 137 13.1 53 134.5 13 52 132 12.3 51 129.5 12.2 50 127 12.1 49 124.5 12 48 122 11.3 47 119.5 11.2 46 117 11.1 45 114.5 11 44 112
Horse/Pony Registration Details here     Application here     Re-issue/Change of details here
Examples of Cones Courses    Cones 2005 here    World Singles 2006 here

The event is modelled along the lines of a ridden Three Day Event. It was devised by Prince Philip with other driving enthusiasts, when he could no longer safely compete in Polo games, so driving was another way of maintaining his interest in horses.

The competition is divided into three major Competitions - Comp. A (1 & 2) Presentation & Dressage, Comp. B Marathon or Cross Country, Comp. C Cone or Obstacle Drive.

Competition A - Presentation (A1) and Dressage (A2)

Presentation is the overall judging of the turnout. The horses are judged on condition, appearance, shoeing etc. Vehicles and harness are judged on cleanliness, suitability, fit and safety. Finally the driver and groom are judged on their outfits - neat street attire including gloves, driving aprons or knee rugs or riding gear for the grooms. Period costume is not suitable for Carriage Driving events.

Dressage is similar to ridden dressage - specific movements are required to be performed in a defined arena. Tests require the driver to display control through voice, whip and reins, and the horses must display obedience, impulsion and correct paces. Movements and paces include a walk , working, collected and extended trots, a serpentine, a halt and reinback. One of the more difficult elements requires the driver to execute a one handed circle, this is to demonstrate the driver has control should the whip need to be used. Driven dressage arenas are 40m x 100m, or 40m x 80m.

Competition B - The Marathon or Cross Country

This is the most exciting phase of the overall competition. Horses need to be fit to cover the distance in the required time. The course is divided into five timed sections A - E, and includes 2 walks (Secs. B & D) of approx. 1km and a fast trot section (C).

Each height class has different times for each section and time penalties may be incurred. Drivers carry spares with them in case of gear breakage or accidents, these may include hay baling twine, spare traces, a knife, adhesive tape etc. Each competitor also carries maps of the course and stopwatches. A vet check takes place at the end of Section D to ensure horses are fit enough to continue. Section E is the most thrilling part of competition and it is here that competitions can be won or lost. Each hazard or marathon obstacle is a series of lettered "gates" which must be negotiated in correct sequence. Every competitor is timed and the faster the time the fewer the penalties. Drivers, when walking the course, take note of where shortcuts or chances can be taken in each hazard to reduce their time and penalties. Another vet check ½ an hour after the end of the marathon makes sure horses are not distressed or lame. Penalties may be given if horses have not recovered sufficiently by this time.

Competition C - Cone Driving or Obstacle Driving.

This phase effectively replaces the showjumping round in a ridden event. The "Cones" are similar to traffic cones and each has a ball placed on top. If a ball is dislodged the driver receives 5 penalty points. Drivers have 30 cm clearance between their wheel widths and the cone. The course must be driven in correct numerical sequence and again each height class has it's own time allowed. The competition may be run as either a Fault Competition or a Speed Competition. The Cone Drive is designed to test the fitness of the horse after the rigours of the Marathon, although in a two day competition the Cones is usually run following the Dressage.

Classes & Combinations

Classes cover experience ie. Novice or Open, height and combination driven and in a State or National Championships total classes number 15. Each class and combination contributes to the spectacle of a Carriage Driving Event. The little ponies, cute and cuddly make spectators feel that they could do it too. They are phenomenally strong with a far superior power/weight ratio than some of the bigger horses. The bigger ponies and horses may be old outgrown pony club veterans with a new lease on life. Some of the horses may even be failed or old trotters.

Combinations used in Carriage Driving Competitions are - Single, Pair, Tandem & Team or Four-In-Hand.

Singles are one horse or pony generally driven in a two wheeled vehicle.

The Pony and Horse Pairs are most exciting to watch through the hazards as they make impossibly tight turns and fit through the smallest gaps with the grooms sliding from left to right to give the vehicle correct balance. Most drive this combination in 4 wheeled vehicles and only occasionally now does one see a pair put to a Pole Sulky or a Curricle (2 wheelers).

Tandems, in good hands, look elegant and easy to drive though they are a most difficult combination. Tandems are an old tradition by which the family went to the hunt. The old cart horse would be in the wheel (between the shafts) and in draught doing all the work and the flashy, showy hunter would be in the lead, doing no work, thus arriving fresh at the hunt. A new innovation in vehicle design for Tandems is the groom step on the back of the two wheeled vehicle to enable the groom to alight quickly if necessary to render assistance.

Finally the Teams or Four-in-Hands look absolutely spectacular. It is no easy task getting four horses working together in unison either in Dressage or in the hazards. Driving a team is the ultimate experience and drivers who make it look easy have undoubtedly spent much time perfecting their craft. Always driven in 4 wheeled vehicles there are many new innovations in design including the new "Bendi Pole" which gives increased articulation to the outfit, allowing tighter turns and manoeuvres.