Driving

History
It was well established in mainland Europe by the late 19^th century, particularly in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, and other countries in Eastern Europe. The first competition for driving was held at Baden-Baden in 1882.
At the instigation of HRH Prince Philip, driving was internationally recognized as a competitive sport in 1969 and has since grown in popularity. The first International Driving Trial, for teams of four horses, was held in Switzerland in 1970. Since then there has been a European or World Championship every year, as well as international trials involving some 20 nations.

Driving trials
In addition to the four-in-hand teams, these trials cater to pairs, tandems, and some single horse and pony turnouts.
The driving competition or trial is based on the ridden three-day event which is made up of three competitions, A, B and C as well as a mini-competition , originally called the Presentation, involving an appraisal of the turnout of each competitor.

-Competition A concerns the Dressage test and takes place in an arena 110 x 44 yds (100 x 40 m) or, for pairs and singles, in one 88 x 44 yds (80 x 40 m). The movements judged are not too complex and marks are also given for obediance, impulsion, the quality of the paces, style of driving , and so on.

-Competition B is the marathon. It is the equivalent of the three-day event´s speed and endurance phase, and is expected to have three times more influence on the final result than the dressage test. Covering distance of 15-17 miles (24-27 km), it consists of five sections with two obligatory 10-minute halts, and must be completed in two hours.
*Section A is a 61/4-mile (10km) route over roads and tracks, at a speed of 91/2 mph (15 km/h). It is usually taken at a trot, but any pace may be used.
*Section B is over ¾ mile (1.2 km) and must be driven at a walk, at a speed of 41/2 mph (7 km/h). It is followed by the first halt.
*Section C is a more demanding phase over a hilly, twisting course and timed for a speed of 11-12 mph (18-19 km/h). No cantering or galloping is allowed, so the pace has to be a good, sharp trot.
*Section D is the second of the walk stages, and during the 10-minute halt a veterinary check is made.
*Section E is over 61/4 miles (10km). It is timed at 91/2 mph (15 km/h), and includes eight obstacles called hazards situated fairly close together at the end of the course. Initially, the hazards were meant to be natural ones, such as water crossings, but they are now almost all artificially constructed, though planned carefully in relation to factors such as the ground condition or distances.

-Competition C is the Obstacle Competition, which is known generally as „cone driving". The course consists of up to 20 obstacles created by traffic cones. Penalties are incurred for striking a cone and displacing the ball on top, and for exceeding the usually very tight time limit. The competition tests the driver´s skill and judgement, and is designed to ascertain horses´fitness to perform after the marathon it completed the day before.

Scurry driving
This sport involves mini-obstacles races against the clock. These are contested by pony pairs in two height divisions, 12 hh and under and 12 to 14.2 hh, pulling light, pneumatic-tired, four wheeled vehicles. A groom rides with the driver and leans out to maintain stability. Fast, agile ponies are the best for this fast sport, which has been called „the equestrian version of stock-car racing".

Horses
Most of the horses used in driving trials are warmbloods derived from the European coaching breeds - Holsteiners, Oldenburgers, and so on. Cleveland Bays and Cleveland crosses, Welsh Cobs, Morgans, and Fell ponies are also used along with the Dutch Gelderlanders and the Lipizzaners of the Hungarian teams.

Vehicles
Marathon Competition vehicles, or „battle wagons", are built specially for this sport, and are designed for practically rather than elegance; many are in fact fitted with a type of disc brake, like in cars.