What is the sport of Combined Driving?

It is very much like the ridden sport of Eventing, but with a carriage behind the horse!

There are 3 separate phases, and one is completed each day, over 3 days of competition. Each phase tests the training and ability of both horse and driver (the Whip) in different ways.

First day is Dressage, testing balance, flexibility, and submission of the horse as well as the drivers memory of the test, and skills in executing it.

Second day is Marathon, testing the horses endurance and stamina over distance, and both horse and drivers ability to use their dressage skills driving through hazards (obstacles) encountered in the last section of the course.

Third day is Cones, which tests the concentration and self control of both horse and driver. After two days of tough competition. The third day is " Cones ", which calls for precision driving between sets of cones laid out in an elaborate course, designed to create pressure and excitement by not knocking any into any cones, thereby accruing demerits, and separating who will win, from who will lose.