Combined Driving was patterned after three day ridden eventing. The biggest difference between a Driving Event and a Ridden Event is is that the driver has to cope with the additional challenge of a carriage and the fact that a driver only has three aids… the voice, the whip, and the reins. The equines involved must prove the incredible level of training necessary and the willingness of the animal to accept the training by means of only the three aids. As in a three day ridden event there are three phases to a Combined Driving Event.

All entries are divided into four levels of experience and skill. The levels are: Training, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced. At the discretion of the show organizer there is also a “Limit” class offered. The “Limit” Class is only offered to the newest drivers at each level.

The equines at each level are divided into a number of classes. There is Single Pony, Single Horse, Pair Pony, Pair Horse, Multiple Pony, and Multiple Horse. Recently, some show organizers have included classes for VSEs (Very Small Equines or Minis) and Small Ponies.

The first phase consists of the Driven Dressage Test. The different tests (at each level) are designed to show not only a driver’s skills but also the obedience, acceptance, and suppleness of the animal. Judges are responsible for judging each level according to the difficulty of the level. It is said by many who follow the sport that the CDE is won or lost in the Dressage Arena.

The second Phase of the event is generally the Marathon. This is the Phase that provides most of the excitement and draws a lot of the participants as well as spectators to the sport. The Marathon is usually three sections driven cross country. The sections are designed to test the drivers ability to estimate their speed and pace so they will finish each section within a set time limit. In the third section of the Marathon most of the excitement takes place. Each Driver must go through a series of man made and natural hazards containing up to six gates (depending on level) in each hazard. To watch a driver approach each hazard, sometimes at a gallop, and then weave in and out of each gate at speed with only inches of clearance is exciting and hard to forget.

The third and final Phase of the event is the Obstacle or Cones Course. This Phase tests the Driver/Equines ability to negotiate as many as twenty gates at a predetermined pace with out earning any penalty points. Each gate is a pair of driving cones (which are similar to traffic cones) with a ball balanced on top. At the slightest touch to a cone the ball will fall (causing a “Knock Down”) which results in penalty points being assessed. As the driver moves up through the four skill levels the distance between the cones decreases. At the upper levels the drivers are dealing with clearances in mere centimeters.