Fast moving, water-splashing fun with horses in a growing sport with dedicated followers of all ages.

Horse Driving Trials is unique. It is the only equestrian sport/discipline where you can compete on an equal footing from 14 to 70+, male and female alike, with ponies and horses.

DAY 1 - DRESSAGE

First, the competitors must complete the Dressage phase, consisting of a sequence of set movements (driven from memory) to display the schooling and obedience of the animal.

CLICK HERE to find out more about dressage

DAY 2 - MARATHON

On the second day, competitors drive the five timed sections of the cross-country marathon course. The last challenging 10km stage includes up to eight obstacles, to be driven at speed, which leads to adrenalin pumping, mud-flying action.

The obstacles are often built around natural features (water, steep banks etc.) and are made up of a series of lettered gates which must be driven in order. With different routes within the obstacles this leads to tight turns which require a great deal of judgement and skill from the driver, in order to complete them with the minimum of time penalties.

CLICK HERE to find out more about the marathon.

The climax of the competition is the Cone Driving Competition which equates to the show jumping phase of a ridden event, testing the skill and competence of the driver and the suppleness and obedience of the animal. The objective is to drive, in a set time, through narrowly spaced pairs of cones with only centimetres to spare on either side of the wheels! Cone Driving requires a steady hand, nerves of steel and a well trained horse!

CLICK HERE to find out more about cones.

THOSE INVOLVED

Driver

The driver (also known as 'the whip') must at all times have his/her concentration on the job in hand, namely handling the horses or ponies. The driver must coax the animals around the course, whether it be daunting marathon obstacle gates or narrowly spaced cones in the final stage. Obedience from the animals is vital as they are controlled from reins and voice and occasional spurring on from a lightly used whip.

Groom/Navigator

Every turnout must carry a groom (four-in-hand teams must have two grooms). During the dressage phase the groom accompanies the driver in case of emergencies (broken harness etc.) But during the marathon stage they are a vital part of the team, helping the driver stay on course, guiding him through the obstacles as well as balancing the vehicle on tight turns and uneven ground by shifting their weight.

CLASSES

Competitors are grouped into classes, according to the type of turnout they drive. Normally there will be the following classes:

Many driving events will also run extra classes for newcomers and small ponies, who will be allowed extra time and/or shorter distances on the marathon phase.

For years horses have been driven and used as a form of transport for day to day existence, but modern horse driving trials, came into existence in 1968 when HRH Prince Philip initiated the formulation of the rules for the new sport. Now after it's 30th anniversary the sport is going from strength to strength The sport of competitive Horse Driving Trials consists of three very different phases or stages. Modelled on the ridden three day event, a Horse Driving Trials is a triathlon for horses/ponies which tests the overall versatility of an animal in harness

If you would like to know more about this fast moving and rapidly growing sport, contact:
The British Horse Driving Trials Association,
East Overhill, Stewarton, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire KA3 5JT
TEL: 0845 643 2116   Email : bhdta@horsedrivingtrials.co.uk