Combined Driving



Combined driving is designed to test a Driver's ability as well as the horse's obedience, speed and athleticism, in three demanding phases with a carriage in tow: Driven Dressage, Marathon, and Cones. The sport, conceptualized by the late Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, is modeled after the mounted equestrian discipline of three-day eventing or the human equivalent of a triathlon.  

Competitors can drive a turnout of horses or ponies in a single, a pair, or a team of four. The Driver and pony/horse combination will accumulate penalty points throughout each phase of competition; the competitor with the fewest overall penalty points will place first. Accuracy, speed, and endurance are all a necessary part of this exhilarating sport! 

The driven dressage phase tests the Driver and their equine on harmony, impulsion, ease of movement, and suppleness through a sequence of scored movements in an arena. The second phase is the fast-paced and demanding cross-country marathon, which tests fitness, stamina, and agility. Along with a driver’s accuracy and judgment, the combination will navigate an intricate series of hazards which may include water, steep hills, and sharp turns - all within the fastest time possible. The final phase, a cones course, times the competitor as they accurately negotiate an intricate, winding course of narrowly-set cones without knocking them with the carriage wheels.  

 

Contacts

Steven Morrissey
Managing Director, Sports Logistics & Non-Olympic Disciplines
[email protected] (859) 225 - 2052

Resources

Support US Teams & Pathway Programs

The USET Foundation is the philanthropic partner of US Equestrian and supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing International High Performance horses and athletes.