About Horse Driving Trials
Horse driving in the early 1900's was at it's peak. In just about
30 years the internal combustion engine had overtaken the horse
and horse driving only survived by the efforts of a few enthusiasts
determined to see that the old skills did not die.
When H.R.H. Prince Phillip took up carriage driving in the early 1970's horse driving took on a new lease of life. Prince Phillip was instrumental in drawing up the first international rules for a new sport and Horse Driving Trials were born.
Driving trials are divided into three parts -
Presentation
and Dressage (Friday), the Marathon (Saturday) and Cone
Driving (Sunday)
Club Class for Juniors (10 - 16 years old), Newcomers and Road Cart / Exercise Vehicle Classes.
Friday 15th August 2008
National Carriage Driving Dressage Competition
The Dressage is designed to test the skill of the driver and the obedience and paces of the horse(s) in an arena 100m by 40m for teams and 80m by 40m for singles.
Set movements, such as circles, serpentines and straight lines have to be executed at set paces.
The judges, amongst other things, are looking for accuracy of steering, both one-handed and two-handed, correct use of voice and whip, smooth transitions from one pace to another, and regularity of pace.
Saturday 16th August 2008
National Carriage Driving Marathon and Obstacle Competition
The Marathon route, with contrasting hilly and flat sections, twisting and turning its way through Stair Estate's woodland, hills and past tranquil lochs, is a demanding test of the stamina of both drivers and animals. The marathon is divided into five sections as follows:
Section A 7 km (approximately) at any pace
Section B maximum 1 km walk
Section C 3.75 km (approximately) at a fast trot
Section D maximum 1 km walk
Section E 8 km (approximately) at a fast trot.
Sunday 17th August 2008
Cone Driving Competition
The final part of the competition is the cones course. Drivers are required to drive their horses between pairs of plastic cones, which are only slightly wider apart than their carriages, over a twisting course, at a fairly fast trot.
If any part of the rim of the carriage wheel touches a cone a ball falls off and costs the driver 5 penalty points.
By the end of the competition every driver has accumulated penalty points.
The winner of each class is that driver with the fewest penalty points overall.
Section E - The Obstacles
Section E contains the obstacles. These are the essence of the whole event. Every second in an obstacle counts as one-fifth of a penalty point and so must be driven as fast as possible to reduce the number of penalties.
Each of the obstacles must be a challenge to both small single ponies and the large horse teams. This means that they usually contain a mixture of possible routes; short narrow routes for ponies, longer wider routes for the horse teams. Wherever possible the natural lie of the land is used to good effect - banking, water and trees are much favoured by obstacle designers.
In the obstacle there are compulsory gates and these are a minimum of 2.5 m wide. Other narrow gates are often included to tempt drivers but there is always the risk of getting stuck. Drivers must pass through the gates in the sequence of letters but once a competitor has been through one gate, this may be gone through again at any time. Failure to pass through gates in the correct sequence means elimination. Other mistakes, such as turning over, or getting stuck and having to put a groom down, earn penalties.
Travel - P & O are offering reduced travel
rates for competitors.
For more information contact Jane McDowall
Email - jane@castlekennedydriving.com