Combined Driving began as an official international sport more than 20 years
ago when a group of driving enthusiasts asked the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) to put together a set of rules
to standardize driving competitions and give the sport a base from which to grow.
It was decided that a test of versatility would be the best way to judge a
driving horse’s ability. The Combined Driving Event that evolved is based on a Three-Day Event and consists of three
parts: Dressage, Marathon and Cones.
The Dressage competition is performed in a 100 meter by 40 meter
rebound arena marked by a low fence. The test is driven from memory and asks the drivers to demonstrate the freedom
of movement, regularity of paces, harmony, impulsion and correct positioning of the horse(s) and the style, accuracy and general
command of the driver. The tests performed at Fair Hill International will take approximately ten minutes per competitor.
Marathon Driving tests the stamina and fitness of the horses and the judgement
of pace and horsemanship of the driver. The course was originally divided into five sections but in recent years has
been condensed to three:
- A - Any pace, 7 kilometers
- D - Walk, 1.16 kilometers
- E - Any pace and Obstacles, 9.5 kilometers
The key to the Marathon is pace. Each section of the course is designed to
be driven at a specific rate of speed. Teamwork is especially important in this phase. At least one groom/navigator is on
the carriage to assist with balancing the carriage on hills and turns, remembering the selected route in each obstacle and
to be on the ground in case of accidents or horse/harness problems encountered on course. Eight obstacles along the course
test the horse’s agility, strength, courage and obedience as well as the skill and judgement of the driver. A competitor
may choose any route inside the penalty zone of the obstacle but each lettered gate must be driven in proper sequence
or penalties will be applied for each error. The obstacles are timed so competitors will spend every free moment walking
and measuring trying to design the fastest route. Each second in the obstacle adds a penalty to the final score.
Cones is the carriage driver’s equivalent of stadium jumping, testing
the team’s ability to negotiate a course of cones. As the carriage passes through each cone there is less than
6 inches of clearance on each side. The team must also negotiate right angle turns and U-turns and other challenges such as
a bridge at Fair Hill. In cones there is a time allowed so competitors are competing against the clock in addition to
penalties incurred each time a cone is hit and the ball topples off. Many times the cones competiton is the deciding factor
in the overall final placings. The saying "It ain't over till it's over" definitely applies to Combined Driving.
