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 2008 World Championships?

This year sees FEI award the Sixth World Championships for Para-Equestrian Drivers to Germany. The Championships will take place at the highly regarded Horse Driving Trials course at Greven, Bockholt from 27th to 29th June 2008 and will be run alongside the German National Single Horse Championships.

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.