Rules for A Day of Traditional Driving
See information on NCDC's Traditional Day of Driving, Aug 20, 2006
The purpose of A Day of Traditional Driving is to preserve that style of carriage driving of bygone days which encompasses horsemanship, driving acumen, care and preservation of carriage and harness, and the intangible qualities of good sportsmanship.
The Day includes three phases: a Turnout Inspection, a Country Drive, and Cones. All types of carriages are accepted, but antique vehicles or traditional reproductions of the same are preferred.
The entry number must be clearly visible on the carriage. The driver must carry a whip throughout the day while driving.
A Day of Traditional Driving is based on a score of 100, broken down into 60 points for the Turnout Inspection, 25 for the Country Drive, and 15 for the Cones phase.
Any situation not covered in the Guidelines will be referred to the officials, and the officials’ decision is final. The judges will eliminate unqualified or dangerous entries.
A Day of Traditional Driving is based on a score of 100, with 60 points awarded in the Turnout phase 25 points for the Country Drive and 15 points for the Cones. Note: Participants will be eliminated for unsafe or reckless driving.
The CAA Guides to Carriage Turnout &Appointments and Appendix A of the ADS Pleasure Driving Rules contain standard references for traditional turnouts and these should be referred to for specific information.
Specifications
a) The turnouts are judged at the halt and in motion, by one to three judges.
b) Inspection at the halt will be judged for the quality, cleanliness, safety, and general impression given by the horses, driver (and passengers and grooms), harness, and carriage.
c) On the move, horses will be judged on the impression, elegance, and regularity of the gaits; they should go forward freely and be on the bit. The driver will be judged on his reinsmanship and ability to control his horses, while showing his horses to their best advantage.
d) Horses must be clean. No boots or bandages may be used during the Turnout Inspection.
e) It is strongly recommended, but not required, that single turnouts carry one groom. Pairs require one groom, tandems require one groom, and four-in-hands and unicorns require two grooms.
f) General impression will take into account cleanliness of the whole turnout, suitability of horse(s) to vehicle, and dress and deportment of driver and passengers.
Scoring
Each of the six specified categories are given a score ranging from 1 to 10, with 10 being of exemplary quality” and 1 being ‘extremely poor.’ The total number of points earned will be the score for that competitor. Scores from more than one judge will be averaged. (See sample score sheet.)
This phase exhibits the driver’s ability to drive his or her carriage safely in different conditions and situations. The rules of the road (using signals, asking permission to pass) are to be observed.
Specifications
a) The driver may halt, walk or trot at will. Walk and trot are the acceptable gaits and the driver should choose the gait that is appropriate for the terrain. Participants will be eliminated for unsafe or reckless driving.
b) The driver must show his ability to keep his horses in a steady, safe pace so as to complete the course within the time allowed. Times allowed, and a two-to-four minute allowable margin, will be set by the organizer.
c) The route chosen should be suitable for the carriages that will be competing.
d) The distance can be up to 12 km.
e) The course may include up to five simple Driver’s Tests, either man-made or natural. They are to be completed within the overall time allowed and should not be hazardous in any way.
f) There will be numbered mandatory course gates on the Country Drive. The purpose of these gates is to maintain the integrity of the course and to prevent the drivers from taking shortcuts.
The organizers may modify the speeds and margins for the course to suit the terrain, weather, and conditions. It is strongly recommended that if portions of the course require a walk that the overall time be adjusted at the speed of 5 kph for ponies, draft, donkeys and VSEs and 6 kph for horses for the walk sections. The remainder of the course should have as maximum guidelines the following speeds:
Horses 14 kph
Ponies 12 kph
Coaches 11 kph
Heavy Horses 10 kph
Donkeys, VSE 9 kph
Mules as appropriate for height
Driver’s Tests
Examples of Driver’s Tests, performed on a pass or fail basis:
a) Drive up to a red carpet, halt, and take up or let off a passenger.
b) Drive up to a gate, stop, put a groom down, groom opens gate, turnout drives through, stops, groom closes gate and remounts vehicle.
c) Rein back.
d) Drive over a bridge.
e) Demonstrate correct use of the whip (correcting and signaling the horse)
f) Drive at a fast trot up to a cone and stop with the front hub in line with the cone.
Scoring: 25 points awarded in the Country Drive.
Points will be deducted as follows:
a) 2 points for each failed Driver’s Test.
b) 5 points for not completing the course within the prescribed window.
c) 10 points for completing the course outside the prescribed window +/- 25%.
d) 5 points per occurrence for not going through a mandatory gate (with a maximum of 25 points).
Note: Participants will be eliminated for unsafe or reckless driving.
The Cones phase allows the driver to demonstrate his ability to drive through a set course of cones, and to demonstrate the training of his horse(s). Cones driving need only be completed within the prescribed time allowed, as it is not a speed test.
Specifications
a) The prescribed pace for the Cones Course is a trot. The judges will eliminate a participant at any time for reckless or unsafe driving. The organizers determine the length and speed of the course and the order of go. A speed of 180 mpm may be used as a guideline. This information, along with a course map, should be posted several hours before the Cones phase.
b) A maximum of 15 gates including multiple obstacles is recommended.
c) The axle width will be measured during the Turnout Inspection. The cones will be set at 30cm wider than the axle width for two-wheeled and shorter-based four-wheeled vehicles. For larger vehicles (those four-wheeled vehicles longer than six feet from front axle to rear axle), the cones will be set 40 cm wider than the vehicle’s axle width. If circumstances such as time or volunteer availability make measurements and cone setting not feasible then the cones will be set at 180 cm for singles and pairs, 200 cm for tandems and 4 in hands.
d) The participant should salute the judges before he begins the course but it is not necessary to salute at the end of the course.
e) The bell is rung or a whistle is blown by the judges when the participant may begin the course. The bell may also be rung if the participant breaks part of his equipment or his harness requires attention while on course, whereupon the participant may halt, make the necessary repair and continue the course, at the discretion of the judge. The judge will adjust the time accordingly.
Scoring: 15 points awarded in the Cones phase.
Points will be deducted as follows:
a) 1 point for knocking down a ball from the cones.
b) 1 point for cantering (each occasion).
c) 5 points for exceeding the time allowed.
d) 10 points for not finishing the course in one and a half times the time allowed
e) 5 points for repairable equipment breakage (continuation at the discretion of the judge).
f) 10 points for taking a set of cones out of order.
g) 10 points for failure to go through a set of cones.
Note: Participants will be eliminated for unsafe or reckless driving.
Participant Number: _____________ Description: ______________________
Turnouts will be evaluated against the standards set forth in The CAA Guides to Carriage Turnout &Appointments and Appendix A of the ADS Pleasure Driving Rules.
1-10 Points awarded for each of the six categories, ranging from I (extremely poor) to 10 (of exemplary quality).
Half points may be used.
Category |
Criteria |
Points |
|
Horses/Ponies |
Elegance; Presence; Manners; Cleanliness; Grooming; Condition; Fit to carriage |
|
|
Harness |
Appropriate to Carriage; Fit; General condition & care |
|
|
Carriage |
Antique or traditional reproduction; General condition & care; Finish & cleanliness; Appointments; Fit to horses |
|
|
Driver, Groom Passenger(s) |
Driver’s poise, Position, Rein Handling; Attire; Grooms performing their job |
|
|
On the Move |
Quality of paces; Impulsion & free movement |
|
|
Overall impression |
Harmony of the turnout |
|
Total Points ________
Judge:_________________________
*In the event the organizer wishes to include a theme, i.e., “Picnic, ‘the score could be split with the General Impression (5 points for the Theme and 5 points for the General Impression).