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Elegance,
tradition and gritty competition are found in abundance in Combined Driving.
Literally a triathlon for horses, Combined Driving is one of the fastest
growing equine sports and has exploded in popularity in recent years.
Adding to the challenge is the fact that drivers must communicate with
their horses only through voice and hands.
In
a Combined Driving Event (CDE), horses and drivers compete in three phases:
dressage, marathon and cones. Dressage takes place in a manicured arena
in which the driver must take his horse(s) through a test which consists
of a prescribed sequence of movements. Drivers are judged on their command
of the horse, the horse's impulsion, as well as freedom and regularity
of gaits. Suppleness and responsiveness are vital.
The
fast and furious action of the cross country marathon is largely responsible
for the sport's growing interest by the public. The thrill of watching
teams of horses tackle challenging obstacles at high speed is a guaranteed
crowd pleaser. Competitors cover several miles of course, through open
fields and woods, then must negotiate the challenge of hazards built to
test both horse and driver. Stamina, courage and agility are the words
of the day for this portion of the CDE.
During
the cones competition, an obstacle course tests the precise accuracy of
drivers who must negotiate a complicated course without disturbing the
cones or going off course. Penalties are accessed if balls are knocked
off the cones or if the time limit is exceeded.
Within
the last decade an ever-widening circle of spectators have been drawn
to the sport, thanks to indoor driving exhibitions and carriage racing
events which are held at premier horse shows around the world. Chester
Weber is among the top drivers who regularly travel and compete in these
exhibitions, and has been influential in promoting the events
CHIO Aachen , Germany, 2001
