The 2019 Northern California Driving Club’s inaugural Combined Driving Event at the Western States Horse Expo was a tremendous success! We hosted teams of competitors from as far as Washington and Arizona to participate in a three day competition; a day of driven Dressage, a Marathon day of cross country tracks and negotiated obstacles and the final day of precision driving in Cones. Scores from each phase of the event were compiled for the Total. Some competitors chose to do the Combined Tests which did not include the Marathon day.

The Teams consisted of a Driver, a minimum of one assistant/groom called a Navigator, and Equines of all shapes and sizes. Horses, Ponies and Very Small Equines (minis) competed in classes within the four Divisions; Training, Preliminary, Intermediate and Intermediate II. Competitors included 4 members of US Driving for the Disabled (USDFD) including an international champion. Everything from a pair of Dutch Harness Horses to two minis enjoyed the formality of Dressage on Friday in the big court, the beautiful tracks and challenging fun of the obstacles on Saturday for Marathon, and the final determining phase of Cones, again in the big court on Sunday.

Being able to share the enjoyment of driving equines with people not involved with our discipline adds significantly to the weekend’s fun. A combined Driving Event is the pinnacle of competition for driving equines, but is geared for all levels and a wonderful family (Horse Husbands!) inclusive sport. Competitors include not only every size of equine, but all ages of drivers, from juniors to octogenarians, and come from a variety of equine endeavors; Breed shows, 4-H, Endurance, Eventing, Hunter/Jumpers and Trail riding.

Full competition results can be found here: Combined Driving Event Results | Combined Test Results

Interested in joining in all the fun? Check out Norcaldrivingclub.net! They are a fun and supportive group and welcome questions and participation.