Driving is the oldest competitive equestrian sport. At an FEI World Championship, the driver sits in a carriage (or vehicle in the marathon phase) behind a team of four horses as they complete three phases of competition over three days.
In addition to the driver, there are two grooms in the back of the carriage or vehicle. As well as helping to care for and prepare the horses for competition, they act as ‘backsteppers’ during competition, meaning they help to balance the carriage when moving at high speeds or through turns by shifting their weight. They may also help the driver to navigate during the marathon.
In Aachen, the dressage and cones phases will take place on grass in Stadium 2. The marathon course will be on the Cross-Country Course Soers area of the park.
In addition to individual prizes after each phase, there are two sets of medals available:
Nations may enter a maximum four athletes, with three forming the team and the fourth competing as an individual. Drivers may enter five horses at a championship and start each phase with any four of their five declared horses, provided they all pass the horse inspection prior to the start of competition.
Horse inspection: All horses are presented to the ground jury to ensure that they're fit and well prior to the start of competition. The ground jury will view the horses from a standstill, then watch them trot away, turn a small circle, then trot back again. If they have any concerns over a horse's ability to compete, that horse is sent to the hold box to be examined by the on-site vet. The findings are reported to the ground jury, then the athlete may choose to either represent their horse or withdraw from the hold box. If the horse is represented and the ground jury is still not willing to accept it, then the horse may not start the competition. The horse inspection is repeated prior to the final day of competition.
Dressage (day one and two): Drivers complete a sequence of compulsory movements within a 100x40m arena, including changes of speed and gait, circles of different sizes and halts. The test is performed from memory and grooms are not permitted to speak or indicate to the driver where they should go. Five judges mark the each movement out of 10, with additional marks awarded for accuracy and use of aids, and for the general impression and presentation. At the end of the test, the marks from each judge are combined and divided by five to get an average – any penalties incurred are deducted, then this figure is then taken away from 160 to give a final score penalty score. The driver with the lowest score in penalties wins the dressage.
Marathon (day three): Held over natural terrain, the marathon tests stamina, fitness and the driver’s ability to control their horses. The course contains a series of eight hazards such as sharp turns, water, hills, gates and labyrinths. The aim is to complete the course within the time allowed, picking up as few penalties as possible along the way – additional penalties are added for every second over the time allowed. Penalties are gained for errors of course, deviations, incorrect paces, stopping or dismounting, and for exceeding the permitted time within each obstacle. The phase is scored by combining the time taken to complete each individual obstacle to give a final figure – the lowest score wins the marathon.
An in-harness horse inspection will be carried out by a vet prior to the start of the marathon phase in order to ensure that all horses are fit and ready to compete, while an in-harness examination is carried out by a vet within 15 minutes of completing the course.
Cones (day four): Sometimes known as obstacle driving, this final test sees athletes compete in reverse order of merit. They weave through a narrow track outlined by cones with balls balanced on top – knocking down a ball adds time penalties to their overall score. This is a test of fitness, obedience and driver skill.
An in-harness horse inspection will be carried out by a vet prior to the start of the cones phase in order to ensure that all horses are fit and ready to compete.
The athlete with the fewest penalty points after the three phases are complete will win the individual gold. The results for the team competition are decided by combining the two lowest three-phase scores from each nation – the team with the fewst penalties wins the gold medal.
Wednesday 19 August
Thursday 20 August
Friday 21 August
Saturday 22 August
Sunday 23 August