Para Driving World Championships

World Championships take place every two years and there are currently 10-15 countries widely practising the sport. This number is not yet enough to apply for the discipline to be included in Equestrian Paralympic Sport but with encouragement increasing from the FEI carriage driving organisation, it is hoped that it will not be long before many more countries are entering their disabled drivers in both national and international competitions.

Where are the 2010 World Championships?

The FEI has allocated the World Championships Para Equestrian Driving 2010 to the Netherlands. This was decided today during the FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark. The organization of this prestigious event will be in the capable hands of the international equestrian event Breda Hippique at the Prinsenhoeve Estate in Breda.

What does the Championships consist of ?
Dressage involves performing a sequence of compulsory figures within a 100 x 40 metres rectangle. Movements include speed and gait transitions, circles of different sizes and halts. The smoothness of the manoeuvres, the obedience of the horses, impulsion and correct positioning are assessed.

The Marathon, a truly spectacular trial, is a course over a maximum of 15 km, including natural hazards such as sharp turns and water as well as artificial obstacles such as labyrinths. It is aimed to test the fitness and stamina of the horses and the judgement of pace and horse control by the driver.

The Obstacle Driving or “Cones”, tests the fitness and suppleness of the horses after the Marathon. To successfully negotiate the cones course, drivers must weave cleanly through a narrow track outlined by cones with balls balanced on top.

Competition 

2009 - First International FEI Para Equestrian Driving Event (FRA). This was the first time that France had held a Para Equestrian Driving event and competitors from Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands and Ireland provided spectators with a real showcase of Para Equestrian driving, demonstrating the drive, skill and real passion that all the athletes have for the sport. It also provided the perfect opportunity for drivers to meet together with officials and discuss future Championships and openings to encourage more nations to participate in the sport. The competition held in the beautiful setting of Valle de Selle, was run in parallel with the International Heavy Horse Championships where drivers came from as far afield as Canada and Sweden.

2008 saw FEI award the 2008 Para Driving World Championships to Germany. The Championships took place at the highly regarded Horse Driving Trials course at Reit-und-Fahrverein St. Martin in Greven-Bockholt from 27th - 29th June.

2006- FEI Para Equestrian Driving World Championships - Hellendoorn, Netherlands

2004 - IPEC World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities - Hopetoun, Scotland
          Pairs driving included for the first time.

2002 - IPEC World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities - Greven, Germany
          Individuals compete for the first time at the Championships.

 2002- Friendly International competition for drivers with disabilities including pairs drivers for the first time.  - Amiens, France

2000 - IPEC World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities - Stadl Paura, Austria
          First time that drivers are divided into two graded classes depending on profile.

 1998- First IPEC World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities - Wolfsburg,Germany. All drivers are profiled but no separation of grading.

1996 - IPEC Internation Friendly competition for drivers with disabilities - Westerbork, Netherlands.

1994- IPEC International Friendly competition for drivers with disabilities - Hartpury, England, running alongside World Championships for riders with disabilities.

Prior to this the RDA ran inter-regional driving championships which incorperated obstacle driving.  The first of these events took place at Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire in 1989.