Four sub-disciplines are distinguished in the driving sport. These are:
- Driving dressage,
- Driving skills,
- Combined driving and
- Mendurance
Driving Dressage
Just like in dressage under saddle, you can drive test in the classes B (Beginner), L (Light), M (Medium), Z (Heavy) or ZZ (Double heavy).
Driving skills
At the skills competitions, a course has been set up that’s demarcated with plastic cones. On each cone a (tennis) ball is placed. The driver must steer his team through this course, without driving the balls of the cones. A good test of the horse’s obedience and the driving skills of the driver ! Skill competitions can be run in the classes L (Light), M (Mediem) and Z (Heavy).
Combined driving
A combined driving competition (SWM) consists of three tests (in 2 or 3 days): a dressage test, a marathon and a skills test. The marathon consists of three sections, including an obstacle course: a real crowd puller. Water obstacles in particular provide a lot of spectacle. Combined driving competitions are devide into the classes L (Light), M (Medium) and Z (Heavy).
Mendurance
In mendurance competitions, specially marked routes are driven with a total lengt of 20 to a maximum of 100 kilometer. These routes are driven on time and go through the nature. Although mendurance competitions are driven on time, the welfare of the horses is paramount. The participating horses are therefore checked by a veterinarian before, during and after the competition.
Mendurance is a branch of sport where high performance are deliverd by both horse and driver, without prize money playing a role. The horse must be well trained, especially for the greater distances. Endurance, cooperation, trust and care are the keywords om all rides.
To participate in the driving sport you must be a member of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Sports Federation (KNHS) through a membership of a driving association.
