Adelaide Driving on a Roll

Adelaide will host carriage drivers from around Australia in the city parklands from November 4 - 6 2016 when the South-Australian Equestrian Carriage Driving Committee runs the second FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) International Dressage and Cones event in conjunction with the Australian International Three Day Event (Aus3DE).

Chair of the SA Carriage Driving committee, Anne Lindh, said the plan was to build on the success of the first event and hold One Star (1*) and Two Star (2*) classes as well as EA events which do not require competitors to have FEI registrations.

The 2015 1* event attracted a strong field of competitors including one driver from New Zealand driving a borrowed pony.

At 2* level an international judge from outside the host nation is required.

Mrs Lindh said she was not sure if the committee could afford to run a 2* competition but the aim was to bring South Australia up to the level of the east coast.

It is anticipated by offering the higher level event, more competitors will be attracted from interstate.

Head judge from the 2015 event, Dot Willcoxson said she would expect drivers would strive to improve for this year, as they would be driving in front of an international judge.

“The standard needs to be improved overall … I believe Australia should get the CAI 1* and 2* events absolutely correct before progressing to the next level (3*),” Ms Willcoxson said.

“We are also doing a Jump and Drive on the Friday night (November 4),” Ms Lindh said.

In this event riders and drivers team up to complete a jumping and a driving obstacle course.

The horse and rider complete a short showjumping course and then the rider dismounts and gets on the back of a carriage.

Together they negotiate a high speed cones course in a race against the clock.

Two Star is the highest level event offered in Australia and drivers must travel overseas to get experience at higher levels.

Gail Bain and her horse ‘Shepherd’s Hill Michael’ have recently competed successfully in the UK and she follows in the tracks of six time FEI World Cup champion Australian driver Boyd Exell who is based in Europe.

The FEI competition will consist of two elements, a dressage test and cone driving, which tests the suppleness, fitness and obedience of the horses as well as the skill of the driver who must weave cleanly through a narrow track outlined by cones with balls balanced on top.