General regulations for driving

http://www.americandrivingsociety.org/dressage_test.asp    these are dressage tests here

ARTICLE 11 DRESS OF DRIVER AND PASSENGERS

  

1. Drivers and passengers should be dressed conservatively according to the style of

the present day. Any attempt to introduce period costumes or gaudy trappings is

discouraged.

2. Dress for the driver should conform to the type of turnout (i.e. Formal, Park,

Country, Sporting).

3. Gentlemen must wear a coat or jacket while appearing in any class unless excused

from doing so by the judge and/or show management. When accepting awards,

gentlemen are requested to remove their hats.

4. Ladies must wear a conservative dress, tailored suit, or slacks. Floppy hats are

discouraged. 

5. Unless otherwise specified, the driver shall wear a hat, an apron or knee rug and

gloves.

6. Protective headgear is acceptable in all classes. Sunglasses may be worn without

penalty. 

THE HORSE

 

ARTICLE 14 ELIGIBILITY

  

1. The driving horse may be of any breed, color or size so long it is capable of

performing the required gaits.

2. Horses must be serviceably sound and must not show evidence of lameness,

 

broken wind or impairment of vision in BOTH eyes.

 

3. Junior, maiden, novice and limit drivers are prohibited from driving stallions.
 

4. The “competition age” of any horse will be the age reached during the current

 

calendar year.

THE HARNESS

 

 

 

ARTICLE 18 STYLE OF HARNESS

  

1. The ADS recognizes specific national types of harness.

2. Bridles should fit snugly to prevent catching on the vehicle or other pieces of

harness. A throatlatch and a noseband or cavesson are mandatory.

3. Black harness is considered appropriate with painted vehicles, with shaft and pole

trimmings done in black. It is also considered appropriate with a natural wood

vehicle with iron parts painted any color except brown. Shaft and pole trimmings,

dash and fenders are done in black.

Russet harness is considered appropriate with:

a) Natural wood vehicle with brown or black iron,

b) Painted vehicle with natural wood panels with any color iron or 

c) Vehicle that is painted brown with brown iron. Shaft and pole trimmings

should match the harness.

4. All metal furnishings should match, be secure and polished.

5. Breast collars are appropriate with lightweight vehicles. Full collars are suggested

for heavy vehicles such as coaches, breaks, phaetons, dog carts, etc.

6. A correctly-fitting harness saddle is important for the comfort of the horse. A

wide saddle is suggested for two-wheeled vehicles, as more weight rests on the

 

horse’s back. Narrower saddles are more appropriate for four-wheeled vehicles.

7. The tying of tongues is prohibited.

 

ARTICLE 19 BITS

  

1. A bridle with reins attached to a bit is required for each horse. Bit burrs, gag bits

and wire bits of any type are not permitted in ADS driving competitions. 

THE VEHICLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 21 STYLE/ELIGIBILITY

  

1. Drivers should strive to present an appropriate turnout. “Appropriate” indicates

the balance and pleasing appearance of the combination of horse and vehicle.

Factors determining the above include compatible size, type and weight of horse

and vehicle. The way of going of the horse may also affect the overall appearance,

i.e., a high-actioned horse is more suitable for a formal vehicle; the low-going,

ground-covering horse presents a more pleasing appearance put to a road or

country-type vehicle.