Combined Driving: David E Saunders

A Brief History of the Sport of Combined Driving

by David E. Saunders

Horses and carriages have always been fundamental to any civilization. The Assyrians were the first to use the horse drawn chariot as part of the military machine. The enormous benefits of controlling a team of horses with accuracy at speed proved to be a winning edge in battle. So for thousands of years almost every civilization has used horses and carriages for everything from delivering freight to delivering warriors into battle.

As Head Coachman to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Saunders was involved from the very inception of Combined Driving from its format to the development of the open back step marathon vehicle.

In the early 1970's H.R.H. Prince Philip the Queen of England's husband who was at the time the President of the International Equestrian Federation (F.E.I.) decided to develop a sport based on combined training but with horses and carriages. Combined training, (Military) was designed originally to keep the cavalry officers and their horses sharp and prepared for war.

The ridden dressage prepares the horse and rider to move at different speeds and in different directions under control, this helps prepare the horse to become more agile during battle. The cross country simulates riding cross country chasing down the enemy. The stadium jumping to jump unfamiliar colored obstacles for instance men in colorful uniforms etc.

Combined driving is based on the same premise as combined training. The dressage simulates the precision that the gun carriages, horse drawn or supply carriages would have to move in close formation. The marathon or cross country simulates military equipment and gun carriages being moved across difficult terrain at various speeds. The cone driving is directly related to the stadium phase of combined training to demonstrate the skill of the competitor to move horses and carriages at speed with precision on the battlefield.

The Modern World of Combined Driving

The competition lasts 3 days.

Dressage 1st day

The dressage takes place in a marked arena on level ground 100 meters long by 40 meters wide. Various letters mark strategic points in the arena. The competitor will perform a set test. This consists of a series of precise movements starting at one letter and finishing at another letter. There are several paces required, a walk, a collected or slow precise trot to demonstrate the horse can move slowly and precisely. A working trot which demonstrates the horses' ability to move consistently at a medium trot and an extended trot to show the horses' ability to move at a more exaggerated and faster pace. A halt demonstrates the horses' ability to stand still and not move under pressure and the reverse or rein back which demonstrates the horses ability to push the carriage backward with the same precision as moving forwards.

Saunders performs a Shoulder In with the leaders of a four in hand of Morgans in a dressage test.

There are normally 5 judges who will give marks out of 10 for each movement. 10 being excellent, and 1 being very bad. They are also looking for the horse to move with obedience and lightness and if multiple horses i.e. pair or four- in-hand the horses must move together as one horse. They are also looking for, a picture of sartorial elegance and harmony, the elegance and the beauty of the horse, carriage and driver.

Marathon or Cross Country 2nd day

The purpose of this part of the event is to prove the horses can be driven over varying types of terrain and arrive safely at the prescribed time over a course of 10 to 12 kilometers.

This part of the competition is divided into 3 sections. 2 trot sections and 1 walk section. All 3 sections are timed and have to be driven at a prescribed pace, the penalties are given for early or late arrival.

Section A
Section A is 4 to 6 kilometers in length and is done at a working trot. There is an average speed and each kilometer is marked so that the navigator/time keeper behind the competitor on the carriage can keep the competitor on time and on track.

Section D
The next section is the walk section. This section consists of a kilometer where the pace of walk must be maintained and again it is timed.

Rest Halt
The horses then arrive at the compulsory rest halt, all the horses are checked by a judge and a Veterinarian. The horses then have a 10 minute rest and the (pit stop activities take place) bandages and boots are checked by the crew, the horses are cooled out, harness adjusted and the tensions mount.

Section E
The next section is 8 to 10 kilometers, which would include 7 or 8 marathon hazards. These hazards are to test the competitor and horses ability to negotiate a hazard in the track, for instance a bridge is washed out and the horses have to ford a stream, a tree has fallen across the track and the competitor has to negotiate the carriage safely around and still arrive at the finish on time.

Spectacular form in a Section E Obstacle performed by Saunders and a four in hand of Morgans

The marathon hazard consists of an entrance and exit gate at the gate there is a timer to record the exact time the competitor is in the hazard. There are also 2 or 3 hazard stewards that record the route that is taken in the hazard. There are a number of lettered gates normally A to F, each gate must be passed through in the correct order before the hazard is finished. The gates are marked with red and white flags, red must always be on the right as the competitor passes through the gate.

Most competitors will drive different routes at different speeds. After passing through the hazard finish gate they must continue on the prescribed route and still finish on time.

Penalties are accrued through time taken in the hazard, missing gates, going through gates backwards, or out of order, navigators falling off, harness breaking or carriage tipping over. At the end of the marathon the horses are checked by judges and veterinarian.

Obstacles or Cone Driving 3rd and Final Day

This part of the competition takes place in the arena and it consists of a marked course of up to 20 pairs of cones with balls on the top, the cones are measured at 3 to 4 inches wider than the track width of the carriage. There is a time allowed, the course must be driven clear (in time without dislodging any balls). Penalties are given for exceeding time allowed and dislodging balls. This part of the competition demonstrates the competitors' ability to present horses that are still fit, sound and supple after the marathon. This would equate to having horses fit to fight another battle.

To produce horses for this sport takes an awful lot of time and training. Also the driver who is the competitor relies a lot more on his crew, i.e. navigator/timekeeper/groom. So there is a true team effort that goes with every competitor, everyone that competes in a combined driving competition is a true horseman and warrior.

And in the continuing spirit of the ancient Assyrians who forged the true relationship of horse, carriage and driver we are carrying on the same tradition.

©Copywriter David E. Saunders, Reprinted with Permission

A charming raconteur with a wealth of knowledge, Saunders gives presentations and clinics on all aspects of carriage driving.  Where else can you get instruction from a professional coachman who was entrusted with the Queen's horses and a founding father of our beloved sport.  Despite his illustrious career, Saunders is affable and entirely without pretension.  He has a gift not only for driving, but also for fascinating instruction.  As the old saying goes, I wish I knew a fraction of what he has forgotten.  


For more information: www.davidesaunders.com or call 352.258.8355.


Kind Regards,
Michelle Blackler
Serendipity
www.hossbiz.com
Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

WEG Driven Dressage

Much to my delight, you can watch the WEG on 2010 Altech FEI World Equestrian Games either in live streaming or recorded: http://www.usefnetwork.com

Isbrand Chardon's test was near perfection and Chester Weber's horses are near perfection. I did feel Chardon's test was more technically correct than Weber's, although the two men tied for first place, which has never happened at WEG. Watching the competition it is clear these two men are far beyond their fellow competitors in skill and quality of horses.

The European turnout is disappointing low, but that does not surprise me. In fact, it is typical of them, in my humble opinion. Which does not keep me from being a Europhile, but vexes me nonetheless.

Looking forward to the Marathon tommorrow. Try to catch some of it if you can.

Kind Regards.

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidenatl Sagacity Corporation company.

Definitions of Carriage

Word Origin & History

carriage

1388, "act of carrying, means of conveyance," from Anglo-Fr.cariage "cart, carriage," from carier "to carry" (see carry). Specific sense of "horse-drawn, wheeled vehicle for hauling people" first attested 1706.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

Conditioning and Training the Whip: Body Awareness and Carriage Driving

Part One: Posture

by Michelle Blackler

As 21st Century horsemen, we are bombarded with ways to improve our horse’s performance through training methods of top clinicians, the latest bits or training devises, and videos and books galore on the subject. We are so busy concerning ourselves with conditioning, suppling and training our horse that we overlook an essential component of the partnership- it takes two. Communication is not a one way street; when do we concentrate on ourselves and our performance from the driver’s wedge?

Body awareness is essential in top level riding. Cues are subtle: a shift in weight from one seat bone to another, the release of breath, the turn of the rider’s head- imperceptible to any but horse and rider. Driving should be no different. After all, we compete in driven dressage, have our own version of three day eventing, and desire soft, round, forward moving horses. If your hands feel like a brick wall at the end of the reins, your horse will have a different interpretation than yours of just how much weight he is pulling.

So how and where do we start suppling and conditioning our selves? Thankfully, it does not involve expensive gym memberships and exhaustive yoga techniques, but, of course, those help. We can do it simply by addressing body awareness and the beneficial byproducts that accompany it.

Sally Swift, in her excellent series of books, Centered Riding, gives us many tips for improving body awareness. Peggy Brown applies these principles to driving. “When you watch others drive, it is obvious that poor posture is inelegant and unattractive, but lack of posture and balance has other ramifications. Notice the Whip who uses his reins to help maintain his own position in the seat during transitions, turns, or bumps. Watch the Whip who leans sideways on the turns; as if leaning is going to get that horse and vehicle around that turn.” She also notes, “Tension travels like electricity right through the reins to the bit.”

Awareness and Movement

Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc. (1904-1984), a Russian born physicist, judo expert, mechanical engineer and educator provides valuable tools for improving body awareness and overall physical and mental health through his techniques of Awareness Through Movement. The most important of those techniques involves an association with posture and poise: mental and physical tranquility. Poor or faulty posture involves muscular tension combined with emotional intensity that is often a result of stress. Habitual tension, coupled with the associated emotional reaction, accumulates over the years and manifests in a variety of discomforts: back pain, stiffness, headaches, etc.

Learning new attitudes and mindfulness about how we carry ourselves is the first step to improving posture and alleviating a multitude of malaises. The most powerful aspect of Feldenkrais’ methods often manifests a shift in our overall perception of ourselves, which can lead to life altering behavioral changes. Here, we will concern ourselves solely with the beneficial changes that can occur in driving and horsemanship.

Exercises In Awareness

Try this exercise, inspired by Feldenkrais. Sit in a chair, with both feet on the floor, do not rest your back on the chair. Think about how your body feels. Is there any tension in your neck? Your shoulders? Your back? Is the weight distributed evenly over your seat bones? Is your pelvis tipped forward or backward? Breathe deeply through your nose. Does your chest feel heavy? Think about how your body feels as you breathe deeply. Now, as you inhale, lift and expand your ribcage. Keep your ribcage from collapsing onto your diaphragm as you exhale. How does your chest feel? Lighter? What happened to your shoulders as you raised your ribcage? Has your posture improved?

I use this exercise both mounted and in the carriage for my riding and driving clients. Their performance increases dramatically and at the end of their lesson they are always vibrant and energized. The very act of raising the ribcage allows for proper alignment and correct breathing. The body simply doesn’t need to work as hard to do its job. Correcting posture alleviates muscle tension required to adopt the incorrect position. In addition to which, by sitting tall, self confidence is markedly increased, making the learning process much freer and more dynamic to the student.

Transfer this exercise to your own vehicle. It only makes sense that if your chest felt lighter to you when you lifted your chest and allowed your body to function correctly, it will feel that way to your horse, as well. Remember the brick wall earlier? There will be a period of adjustment for you and your horse. You will forget and return to your former posture unless you employ mindfulness every time you drive. Your horse has got accustomed to your poor posture and it may take him a while to believe the new you is permanent.

Take time to experiment in body awareness. Make a mental checklist of your body as you are warming up your horse and use the time to warm up yourself, both physically and mentally. Focus on your breathing and lower your center of gravity. Open up your trunk to accommodate your breath and align your posture. Consider the partnership with your horse and do your best to ensure you are being as supple with your cues as you expect him to be in executing them.

In The Tao of Equus, Linda Kohanov describes, “the rush of clarity and serenity unleashed when one’s control of a thousand pound creature begins to flow from the mind and not the muscle…It’s about courage and humility, focus and flexibility.” This statement dovetails with the Feldenkrais and Swift teachings perfectly. And how do we expect our horse to move freely and correctly if we can’t? Through body awareness and correct posture we can begin to improve our performance and partnership with our driving horse, and begin a new journey of self exploration and understanding of our role of ‘Self’ on the box seat.

Michelle Blackler is the president of Serendipity, an Iowa based equine company that provides riding and driving instruction and seminars. She is active in Pleasure Driving Competitions and has earned championships in several divisions. For more information: www.hossbiz.com