While combined driving is a relatively new equestrian discipline, officially established in the 1970s, its roots go back hundreds of years to a time when cars were only a fantasy.

The discipline features both the elegance of 19^th century carriage finery and the brute military force of carriage maneuvers. It has been called a true test of a horse’s overall agility, grace and endurance.

The sport is based on three-day eventing where horses are ridden through similar phases. Its acceptance as one of only eight international equestrian disciplines is due in large part to Britain’s Prince Phillip. The husband of Queen Elizabeth II took up the sport after he retired from polo and became one of its biggest promoters.

Prince Phillip even helped draft the first official rules for the discipline. He competed in combined driving events well into his 80s.

Combined driving consists of three phases, run over at least as many days. The phases include dressage, cross-country marathon and obstacle driving.

• Dressage – Judged on how well the horse and driver perform together. The driver and horse should function as a single unit. There should be no sign of resistance from the horse as it executes a number of predetermined patterns at different paces. Appearance and neatness of the horses, carriage, rigging, and dress of the driver and grooms are also judged.
• Marathon – Horse and driver put aside the finery of dressage to test their horse, carriage and themselves over a long-distance, cross-country course riddled with hazards, fences, twists and obstacles. Drivers are scored on how quickly they get the team through the course minus any penalties.
• Obstacles – Precision and speed are tested in the obstacles phase. Horse and driver must navigate a course made of obstacles or cones. Penalties are assessed for knocked over obstacles during the timed event.

The driver-and-horse combination which has the best overall score wins the event. Carriages can be pulled by one, two or four horses.

The host of the show, Chester Weber, has been driving since he was 12 years old. Weber went on to great driving success including winning 12 USEF National Four-in-Hand championships and three World Equestrian Games Silver medals. He has competed around the world and won some of the most prestigious competitions in Europe.

To see this equestrian discipline up close, make sure to attend the Live Oak International event from Feb. 25-28. Get your tickets today!

Want to share this blog online? We’ve got the tweet ready for you!

Want to learn how combined driving became an equestrian discipline? Read this blog! https://t.co/o1pxZgjrXZ pic.twitter.com/d6YbtJS98o

— Live Oak Int (@LiveOakInt) January 22, 2016