The FEI World Equestrian Games, created in 1990 are held every four years and are by far the largest equestrian event. In 2014, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy will be host to 8 World Championships, one of which is Carriage Driving
For the World Equestrian Games, this discipline is reserved for four-horse carriages and includes three competitions spread over three days;
The driven dressage test: the driver performs a test with his carriage during which the jury will evaluate the momentum the style, the regularity of the gaits but also the cleanness and the general condition of the carriage.
The marathon course: the competition consists of a sequence of several timed sections on a cross country course. The last section is made up of natural and man-made obstacles: a water crossing, steep hills, traps, slopes and sharp turns… to be tackled in a precise order.
The obstacle or “cone-driving” course: it is carried out on a narrow, winding track which is outlined by cones topped with balls. Penalties points are given for every ball that is knocked over and for exceeding the time allowed.
The final ranking is determined by adding together the penalty points which have been accrued during these three competitions.
In France this sport is known as Attelage
Competition dates; Thursday 4th Sept – Sunday 7th September
Location; D’Ornano stadium, Caen and the Prairie Racecourse, where the 18 km Marathon will start and then pass through some of the streets of Caen’s town centre as well as existing paths in the Valley of Orne
Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI
