GLC and DAH

I went to the glc show on Saturday and I did super well! I got 8 NAN cards! Super fun and I ended up winning the raffle! I didn't get any pictures due to the show moving along pretty well.  But yesterday my DAH Tennessee walker came! I bought a saddle at the show and it looks great on him! 

Also I went to taking the reins and got to hang out with padre again! His breyer will be discontinued this month

He is a sucker for wither scratches! 

Also I got some photos of a driving team!

new doll

my new doll is finished and is on the way! She will be my new driver! I was told I would have placed higher if I had a doll and have been wanting a driving doll.

Pack saddle!

It is finished!

Messiness!

Tonight I worked on the pack bags.  It was a pain! The second to last picture is actually a finished bag that needs to be trimmed and flipped as its inside out. The last photo is of a finished one.   Tomorrow I shall add buckles!

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.  

Part two

Combined Driving

Competition among drivers and their horses began ages ago, but the organized sport of Combined Driving of today bears little resemblance to the chariot races of old.  The sport we know as combined driving is relatively young on the world scene, the first comprehensive and standardized rules having been laid down in the early 1970s under the leadership of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.  Combined Driving has been patterned after ridden Three-Day Eventing which in turn has its roots in the exercises of comprehensive mounted military exercises.
Tradition and modern innovation are melded in these resourceful competitions. Combined Driving is one of eight equine sports governed at the international level by the FEI and at the National Federation level by USEF.  Nationwide, the American Driving Society provides for graduated levels of experience  – Training, Preliminary, Intermediate, and ADS-Advanced levels for both drivers and equines as they begin and as they become more adept at the sport on local and regional levels, perhaps even on to participation in national-level events.
Rules in Combined Driving are aimed at safety, welfare, and fairness for all concerned.  The ADS Rulebook tells us that “at ADS-recognized events, the purpose of all Competitions is to match the talents of horse and driver combinations against each other under fair and equal conditions.”  It is in ADS arenas that drivers of all talents and equipages may find their levels of comfort or challenges of advancement in order to develop into perpetually better drivers and horse persons. Rules and scoring are precise in Combined Driving, based on a system of “penalties,” so the lower the score the better.
Together, drivers and equines of any breed or size form cohesive partners. Equines in singles, pairs, tandems, unicorns, and four-in-hands may compete in Combined Driving. Just as essential to these partnerships are the grooms or navigators, those second or third persons on the carriage who, though they never touch the reins or whip, provide brains and support as well as balance and ballast.
Sometimes likened to a team triathlon, a Combined Driving Event consists of three competitions – Dressage, Marathon, and Obstacle/Cones -- that are held over one, two, or three days.  The sport is intended to showcase the versatility, training and talents of both horse and driver.  Through participating in ADS events, drivers and horses or ponies may develop in increasing levels of proficiency.

The Dressage competition can be said to be the foundation for the rest of the sport.  In Dressage, horses or ponies and their drivers drive individually in specified patterns and gaits to demonstrate the skills, obedience, and development appropriate to their levels of training before the watchful eyes of one or more judges. Dressage develops and displays polish, discipline, and athleticism of equine and driver dancing together.
 

After the showcase of beauty and control that is Dressage, the next competition is often the cross-country Marathon.  Here, the driver tests his mettle and that of his horses or ponies in control of paces and speeds, agility, obedience, and endurance over distances of eight to eighteen kilometers. Not only do competitors cover distance, they also negotiate challenge “obstacles” every kilometer or so, in which they choose their paths to go through “gates” in the correct direction and sequence.  At Training level, these marathon obstacles are geared toward being a learning experience, and as levels of competence increase, so do speeds and numbers of obstacles and gates. It is in this competition especially that the partnership of the “navigator” becomes critically important, as this competition requires thinking. In this competition as in Dressage, ADS rules encourage a careful development of horse and driver as each level brings new and greater challenges in speeds, distances, and complexities. It is on Marathon that Dressage training really pays off, and thrills abound.


Having proven their mettle in the control of Dressage and the jubilation of Marathon, pony or horse and driver must finally find that combination of boldness, agility, energy and precision that is Obstacle/Cones driving.  In this competition, drivers and their steeds drive between precisely spaced pairs of cones over a prescribed course of up to 20 “ obstacles” driven in correct sequence and direction and within an allowed time based on the size of equine and level of advancement.  Here again, as drivers and horses develop and move up in “levels,” speeds increase and clearances between cones decrease, making for challenges and fun that never stop. Cones may be seen as that meld of elegance and thrills that consummates the competition set to demonstrate the fitness, mind and training of the horse following the more physical challenges of the Marathon. 



Driven dressage


Marathon



Obstacle course

Driving classes part one

so its back to the tack!

Pleasure Driving

Pleasure Driving is show ring competition. Horses and/or ponies are hitched to antique vehicles or replicas. Classes or divisions are based on the animal (pony, mule, draft, mini), the driver, and/or the experience of horse or driver. Classes or divisions can be further divided by the size of the animal, the kind of vehicle, and the number of animals in the hitch; e.g. singles, pairs, unicorns, tandems, or teams. Classes are also categorized by the criteria by which they are judged. Though the total picture is evaluated, in a reinsmanship class the ability of the driver is most important; in a working class, the horse’s performance is most important; and in a turnout, the quality and appropriate¬ness of the vehicle, harness, and driver is most important. Some classes are designated specifically for gentlemen, ladies, or juniors; and some are for specific vehicles; e.g. runabouts, gigs, or coaches.

Obstacles

Pleasure shows often include cones or obstacle classes in which the driver is judged on the speed and accuracy while going through a set of cone markers set inches wider than the wheel width and topped with balls. The cones are set in a manner similar to a jumping course, with left and right turns, combinations, and sometimes obstacles such as bridges. The driver who completes the course with the fewest faults (balls knocked down) in the shortest time wins. There are variations on the obstacle class category with slightly different judging criteria. In Fault and Out, the driver is eliminated when the first ball is knocked off; in Double Jeopardy, one driver drives the course one direction; his passenger drives the course in reverse. In Gamblers Choice, there is a prescribed amount of time and the obstacles have a point value. The goal is to get through as many obstacles as possible within the time allotted.

Dressage

Driven Dressage tests are included in Pleasure shows and are judged similarly to a ridden dressage test. The drivers are required to perform a set of movements which include changes of pace, circles, turns, and extensions. They are always judged individually, in a dressage ring which is either 40 x 80 or 40 x 100 meters. Judges look for three distinct trots, smooth transitions, and accuracy. The horse should demonstrate correct training.

Ride and Drive

The entry is first judged in driving; the driver then gets out, produces saddle and bridle, changes tack, mounts, and is judged as a ridden entry. In combination hunter classes, the entry is asked to take one or two small jumps. This class replicates the days in which the fox hunter drove his horse or a tandem to the hunt meet. if a tandem were driven to the meet,the accompanying groom would either drive himself home, or wait with the extra horse until the rider was ready for second horses.

Pleasure Driving Marathon

if the location permits, the show will sometimes include a marathon. The entry is judged in the ring and then goes on a longer drive through the town or into the country. It is judged on turnout and performance in the ring and on the drive. The distance of the drive depends on location.

Mules and Draft Horses

Draft horses and mules are included in Pleasure Driving shows, and they may either participate in open classes or in classes specifically designated for them.




Obstacle driving


Driven Dressage


Mule under harness

Purdy!

So it looks like i will be replacing my nice warmblood to an even nicer one! It's a custom by Tiffany purdy! I won't get it for a while due to its not finished and needs to be painted and time payments.  I've seen her stuff in person and we all know how good she is.  But here's the problem! What color?! I was thinking a pale buckskin with frosting and minimal white markings.  What do you think?

Mikkel

So today is a sad day at RMB stables as my horse Mikkel had to be put down (model horse) I found him with a small seam split down his face.  Since I am no customizer, he will be for sale at body price so I can make room for a new LSQ horse. 

Need help deciding!

I wanna show my new pack horse and lead horse but I don't know what class! Should I do western trail?! Or anything goes?! Or other western?! Or other misc.?