A quartet of massive sport horses harnessed to a four-wheeled carriage thunder by on their way from negotiating one complicated obstacle to another over an undulating cross-country route. They dash through water, up and down hills, and make seemingly impossible turns inside the narrow, maze-like obstacles on course.

The driver and assistants on the carriage have their hands full guiding the horses and overseeing their welfare, planning the route, checking time elapsed, and keeping the cart from getting caught up or overturned. This is combined driving at the highest, heart-pounding international level.

Why Try Combined Driving?

As daunting as advanced-level combined driving seems, the sport is actually attainable for most equestrians. The driving community is very welcoming to newcomers who want to learn. Experienced drivers are quick to offer advice and help others find education, horses and equipment.

“What drew me to driving as a junior was how much the other drivers wanted to help me learn—that is the driving community,” says Carrie Ostrowski-Place of Lexington, Ky., an international competitor and trainer who guided her KWPN gelding Gellerduht to the 2022 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Advanced Single Horse-of-the-Year honors. “I’ve had direct competitors offer me equipment when things have gone wrong, [even] when it wasn’t in their interest to do so. They want to help anyone grow!”

Sara Dunham, an amateur-owner combined driver from Cynthiana, Ky., has competed in the sport for over 20 years and extolls the benefits she’s experienced.

“Combined driving is the most fun I’ve ever had with a horse, early on and to this day,” she says. “I’ve never enjoyed riding a cross-country course, but even as an older lady, I can drive marathon and be as competitive as the younger athletes. You have to have a navigator with you, so grab your best horse buddy or spouse for conditioning drives and competitions. Then you both have lots of fun!”

How Combined Driving Works

Rules for modern-day combined driving were developed in Great Britain by Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip, in 1970, the same year that the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) added it to their roster.

Often explained as a driven triathlon and compared to the sport of eventing, combined driving comprises three phases: driven dressage, a test pattern performed with formal presentation; marathon, which is comparable to eventing cross-country, but obstacles replace jumps; and cones, the equivalent of eventing’s show jumping phase, but drivers try to guide their equines and vehicles through pairs of cones without knocking balls off the top of them, with time factored in.

A logical, move-up-the-levels system of training and competition eases you into the sport. The USEF rule book states a clear progression of competition, offering Beginner through Advanced levels. This provides a way to learn and advance at your own pace.

USEF rules also include para-equestrians in combined driving. The American Driving Society (ADS) rules are similarly designed to encourage participation at all levels.

Formats, Vehicles, Levels and Equines You’ll See

There are three common formats of combined driving, two of which are specifically designed for competitors to gain experience without doing a full combined driving event. One is a combined test (or CT; similar to a CT in eventing, there are only two phases, usually dressage and cones).

The second is an HDT or “short format” driving event with three phases, but they are shorter and less formal. Finally, there is the full combined driving event (CDE).

Combined driving offers classes within each level for horses or ponies being driven single, two together as a pair, or a team of four (also called a “four-in-hand”).

A variety of two-wheeled carts and four-wheeled carriages are allowed, depending on the size and number of horses driven. However, specially designed, sturdy marathon carriages are popular.

To allow more drivers to compete in the Beginner through Intermediate levels, the pony class may be subdivided into large pony (120-149 centimeters tall), small pony (99-119 centimeters), and very small equines (VSE; under 99 centimeters).

Watching a combined driving event, you’ll see a wide variety of equines used. These include warmbloods, off-track Standardbreds, Morgans, Saddlebreds, Quarter Horses, draft crosses, ponies, Miniature Horses, and many more. Unlike ridden eventing, even donkeys and mules are eligible.

“Driving is very breed inclusive,” says Ostrowski-Place. “While there are ‘vogue’ breeds, you will see just about anything in the ring, and no one is thinking twice about it.”

Meet the Trainer Professional equestrian Carrie Ostrowski-Place’s path to international combined driving started when she began riding lessons at age 10 in her home state of South Dakota. Six months into riding, her instructor had her drive a Shetland Pony, which sparked her passion for all things driving. A family member gifted her an antique carriage; that, plus a Morgan horse she had as she grew up helped her delve into carriage pleasure driving. Later she had the chance to shadow driver Marc Johnson, and then worked as an assistant for FEI driver Sterling Graburn. She has also learned from many other big names in the sport through clinics and the USEF Developing Athlete Program. The final inspiration for competing internationally was watching the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Lexington, Ky. In 2013, she launched her O-ski Equine training business. In addition to teaching humans and horses, she is an American Driving Society (ADS) licensed “r” Combined Driving Technical Delegate and serves on the USEF Driving Sport Committee, as well as the ADS Board of Directors and the ADS Combined Driving Committee.

Further Reading
◆ Driving Horse Qualities
◆ How to Get Started Driving Horses

Stay tuned for an article coming soon about how to try out the exciting sport of combined driving.

This article appeared in the May 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post What is Combined Driving? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Dave Sadler, the current National Drive board president from Fithian, Ill., succinctly explains the purpose of the event, which is non-competitive and welcomes all interested in attending with or without horses or previous driving experience.

“The mission of the National Drive is to provide a safe and inexpensive venue for recreational drivers to have fun driving, to learn and to socialize,” he says. “Our motto: fun; friendship; learning.”

History of the National Drive

The Drive has been going on continuously since 2005 and, as time went on, it was expanded to a week-long event in early October. In 2012, a Spring National Drive (also called the “Spring Fling”) held over a long weekend in early May was added to the docket.

The Drive was initially held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, but after the KHP became too crowded with other events happening at the same time, the National Drive moved in 2018 to the Hoosier Horse Park in Indiana.

Sadler says the first Drive welcomed 90 participants. As more people became aware of the event, numbers soared to around 400. In recent years, the average attendance hovers around 150-160 humans, 125-130 equines, and innumerable dogs. Thus far, the Drive has hosted attendees from 42 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.

The range of equine guests runs the gamut from Miniature Horses and pony breeds to light breeds, draft horses, donkeys and mules. The Fall 2021 National Drive had 27 breeds (plus a few crosses) represented. People drove singles, pairs and four-in-hands using a variety of two- and four-wheeled conveyances. Several attendees also chose to ride around the park.

“We host equines of all shapes and sizes, price ranges and talent,” says Sadler. “In carriage driving, especially for recreational use, [horse] price is not a factor. They just need good manners and to enjoy doing it.”

More About the Event

The Hoosier Horse Park was originally part of the U.S. Army facility Camp Atterbury, and is located about half an hour south of Indianapolis. It comprises over 200 acres of wilderness with many crisscrossing roads, lanes and trails, as well as a marathon course used for the Indiana Combined Driving Event for the last 25-plus years.

With the Park offering an indoor arena, an outdoor driving dressage ring, an outdoor stadium, campgrounds, 384 permanent stalls, and a scenic country atmosphere, participants feel that the Park is a very good fit for the National Drive.

“At Hoosier Horse Park, we’re able to provide a quiet, safe place to relax and drive whenever, wherever,” Sadler explains.

Both the Spring and Fall National Drive offer:

◆ Educational opportunities with top-flight clinicians (clinics, lectures, private lessons).

◆ Free time to drive and ride.

◆ Mock competition to sharpen skills (driving derby and combined driving competition facilities to name a few).

◆ Just-for-fun events (tacky turnout class, safari and arithmetic drives, scavenger hunt, bingo cones, pooch parade).

◆ Social activities, including a cookout, welcome and farewell parties, a mimosa drive (drinks and cookies are served at a picturesque spot in the park) and train rides.

◆ A safety check before going out to drive with advice from experts.

◆ Scales for weighing equines and equipment.

◆ A de-spooking zone set up to expose horses to scary things and practice how to deal with the reactions.

◆ Tack swap and shopping.

◆ Camping and a variety of nearby restaurants and tourist attractions.

◆ The opportunity to network with other attendees in a laid-back atmosphere.

Rave Reviews

Amy Brockman of Okeana, Ohio, attended her first Drive last spring with her pony Tonka.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” she says. “Wow, I sure had a blast! Everyone was so welcoming, laid-back and helpful. Being new at driving, I had many questions that were kindly answered.”

Lana Santamaria of Dubuque, Iowa, has attended four Drives.

“I keep coming back because the camaraderie is incomparable,” she says. “I could talk about the venue or the organizers and staff—they are all terrific—but it’s the camaraderie that delights me.”

For more information about the National Drive, visit www.nationaldrive.net or www.facebook.com/TheNationalDrive.

This article about horse driving at the National Drive appeared in the October 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Both strongly advise anyone new to driving to learn the sport from experienced drivers using schoolmaster horses before looking for their own driving horse. They suggest joining a local driving club to meet others already involved in the sport and to take advantage of the resources available through the American Driving Society (ADS), the Carriage Association of America (CAA) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

Where to Start your Driving Horse Search

When you’re ready to begin your search for a driving horse, it’s important to define the type of driving you’d like to do and your budget (with pre-purchase exam and equipment costs factored in).

Cashion, an active clinician who has taught and competed in driving for 22 years through the international levels and holds CAA Level 1 Instructor and Level 2 Driver proficiencies, cautions newbies not to fall in love with the first gorgeous creature they see, but to carefully think through your ability level and personal goals when selecting a horse.

“The animal that catches your eye may be stunning, but if he drives or rides like a fire-breathing dragon while you’re a green driver who needs a reliable Steady Eddie, this won’t be a good fit for you,” she warns.

Arnold has represented the U.S. at four FEI World Driving Championships in the last six years. He trains horses, teaches students and manages the driving program at Hermitage Farm in Kentucky. Also a busy USEF Developing Athlete Program clinician, he thinks most horses can adapt to driving. “Almost any horse can be trained to be correct,” he says. “You just have to find the right way to motivate them. If the horse is forward and likes to work and likes the game, he can overcome some conformational flaws.”

A Driving Horse Mind

Both experts topped their requirement list for a driving horse by talking about desirable mental traits.

A good mind: This was first on Cashion’s list. She says a good mind for partnership and driving is of utmost importance.

“You want a horse that is not overly spooky, is trusting, and is able to learn new skills,” she says. “Even the most solid horse can spook, but a good brain is based on how they handle their fear. Will they listen to you and respond? Then you can work through scary moments. Do they want to react strongly without any known trigger or lack the ability to work through the scary moment? Then driving may not be for that horse.”

Forward-thinking: At the top of Arnold’s list was a horse that goes toward something he doesn’t know rather than backing away.

“I think all horses can be broken down into backward-thinking or forward-thinking horses,” he says. “Consider the horse that spooks and jumps back versus a horse that either doesn’t spook, or if he does spook, he goes forward. Those are the two basic mentalities of horses.”

Trainable: This trait ranked very high with both Cashion and Arnold. Cashion explains how she evaluates trainability.

“I like to try to teach the horse something new when I try him out,” she says. “I will choose something small, based on what I see in the moment, and tune in to how he responds. Does he want to figure out what I am asking of him, approaching with curiosity? Does he resist and become worried, shutting down or reacting strongly?”

Calm-minded: Arnold explains this as “a quiet, relaxed horse that doesn’t get fussed easily.”

A driving horse needs to accept flapping tack, a vehicle following them, and wearing a bridle with blinders that only allows them to see what is directly in front of them, among other things.

He says that just how calm they need to be depends on the task. For combined driving, they may need to be more keen, whereas for pleasure driving and parades, they should probably be “about a 5 on a scale where 10 is super forward and 1 is not.”

Smart: Arnold prefers a driving horse to be clever.

“They can pick up on the game quickly,” he says. “For example, some horses I have driven really love the cones phase of combined driving—they love the game of going in between the cones; they know when we cross the start and when we get to cone 20 and look for the finish.”

Willing to stand: Driving horses need to stand longer than riding horses in order to be hitched or if something needs to be repaired while away from the barn.

“Trying to convince your horse to stand still while adjusting a piece of equipment, if it isn’t already in his toolkit, is a recipe for trouble,” Cashion says.

Good steering: Arnold emphasizes that it is important that a driving horse steers well and understands steering on two direct reins.

A Body Built for Driving

The other half of the list provided by Cashion and Arnold involved physical attributes for a driving horse: conformation and movement. Here is a quick summary of what they recommend.

A wide chest for more effective positioning of the breastplate to pull the carriage and to allow for easy breathing.

A neck that comes high out of the shoulder and is not too short; this also helps with room for breathing and effective pulling.

A solid, short-coupled build allows for a good back-to-front connection for pulling power.
Strong, ample hindquarters are the engine for pushing.

Good feet and legs for longevity of soundness.

Quality of movement is important for competition, but also affects soundness; a naturally good walk and a solid working trot are very important.

The Wrong Stuff

Cashion says horses that would not be good driving horse candidates include those that often bolt out of control, are prone to bucking or kicking, or are not willing to work. She also cautions against horses that cannot overcome being very noise-sensitive and those that are not serviceably sound.

“If you don’t feel confident riding or handling your horse, you won’t feel safe sitting behind him in a carriage,” she warns.

Parting Advice from Driving Horse Pros

Both professionals encourage others to try your hand with a driving horse.

“Driving is the most fun you can have while partnering with your horse,” Cashion says. “Buy or train the horse that best fits you. Make sure the people you trust to give advice are acting in your best interest, not their own pocketbooks. The sport of driving has some of the best people and equines in the world, if you know where to look!”

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