PINTOS & COMBINED DRIVING

Combined driving came to the United States in the early 70s and was first seen one the East Coast and still today one can compete just about every weekend. It’s origin is in Europe and is based on the principles of Three Day Eventing only in a carriage. It has evolved to the sport it is today.

The interest in combined driving is gaining popularity throughout the United States and especially on the West Coast with more venues being developed every year. Sites for holding these types of events are often equestrian facilities that are aimed at three day eventing or large working ranches like Shady Oaks in Lodi No California where the The California Classic is held in October. This event is our “Jewel of the West” with it’s beautiful manicured dressage court and cones course beautifully set near mature cherry and apple orchards. The marathon course winds it’s way around huge, very happy California, Black Angus bulls standing in lush green pastures and has six permanent hazards.

CDE’s are usually held over a three day period with the first day being the dressage with specific tests for the different levels. This day is one of elegance with beautifully turned out, two or four wheeled carriages put to carefully groomed equines with harness and brass polished to a high shine. The attire for dressage is traditional but not a retro or 1800’s look as some might think. Whip and grooms are dressed in the appropriate style for their carriage with hats, gloves and lap robes as if going out to a fine dinner party while the groom(s) are dressed appropriately for the style turnout.

Some competitors have two carriages, one for dressage and obstacles and one for the marathon. Terry and I use a lovely traditional two wheeled carriage that rides like a dream for dressage and obstacles. It is Norena Easy Entry Cart made by Norman Stutzman of Buckeye Cart & Supply out of Baltic Ohio. This cart was donated to “Team Nifty” by Terry’s sister Karen.

For the marathon we use a second vehicle that is an “ECC Batmobile” that fits Nifty to a tee. Vehicles like this are called “War Wagons” There are many types of marathon vehicles, and they are designed for maximum control and maneuverability in hazards. The Batmobile makes it easier for Nifty to make hard fast turns with excellent mobility and stability. The seat is designed to give the driver maximum control without siding around while the navigator stands on a step behind the whip that is equipped with handles or grips that allow the Gator to move around to balance the rig.

We use a washable synthetic harness made by Zilco that is tough as well as very light weight. After marathon we just pull the harness and Batmobile up to a hose and whoosh it’s clean and ready to go.

Each levels test is designed to test the skill and technical ability of each turnout. The whistle is blown and the spectators become quiet as each competitor begins his or her test. Entering the court at “A” heading straight down the center line to halt and salute at X. Once the test is complete you head back to your camp or stable area to where fellow competitors ask “Well, How'd it go?” hopefully your reply will be “not too bad”. With dressage done and your fancy duds put away, you are now free to check out the next phase of the event.

The second day is the marathon and the most fun. After Dressage each whip along with the navigator (Gator) begin to walk and study the marathon course and especially the hazards. The marathon course is over natural terrain and has three sections A, D and E. Each section has a window of time that one must finish within to avoid any time penalties. The upper levels may have one more section.

The first phase, (A) is an any pace but primarily designed for a trot only section followed by (D) the walk only section, then a required vet check. If all is well the team will continue to the final phase,section E. This section is usually a trot section except for the intermediate and advanced and is the toughest, most challenging and physically demanding part of the marathon.

Each team is started at five minute intervals and at the start the Whip receives a time card where your start and finish times are recorded. Each team carries stop watches so that they can manage times that are set for each section. This is my navigators job as we look for kilometer markings along the route.

As you travel cross country on a numbered, pre-determined course you will encounter hazards along the way. Hazards can be a stand of forest or man made, objects. They may be through water or up and down hills with, rough footing, narrow spaces, under and over bridges. The hazards have gates that are lettered and one must get through these gates in the least amount of time and in sequence A through E. Once you enter a hazard you begin to accrue time penalties for every second in the hazard so speed and accuracy are very important. This requires a tremendous amount of stamina, strength and skill especially at the upper levels. The training level competitors are not timed in hazards so that green equines and or whips can gain the skill and confidence without racing a clock.

Imagine that you are traveling along at a pretty good clip and suddenly you come to a narrow wooden bridge high over water. As you see the Enter gate your heart pounds and the brain races to make sure you remember which way to go. Your horse sees the gate and becomes excited and suddenly you are at a dead run, over the bridge with hooves pounding on the wooden surface and across through gate A, now a hard turn left and you are careening down a steep slope headed into a pit filled with water where gate B is right in the middle, now you head under the bridge, up and out a very steep and slippery bank to gate C, with a hard right and then a jog to the left, through a narrow gate and back down into the water to gate D and then a 180 into gate E. Now you make a run for the exit gate with the clock still running, back across the bridge and out past the timers and whoaaaa. You turn to thank the volunteers for manning the hazard and begin to settle back down to prepare for the next hazard.

The navigator is a very important part of the marathon as he or she not only keeps you on track but keeps your wheels down while you get through all the gates. A good navigator is a teams most valuable player. They can actually move the carriage for a tight turn, help to memorize the hazards, keeps you on course and my navigator even rubs my shoulders before a hazard as he stands just behind me.

After marathon is one of the most enjoyable times of an event. Every one is bustling around to clean up all the mud, wash and cool down your horses/ ponies and even a few wonderful mules. This is when you can be part of very lively conversation regarding “if” While still excited from marathon, everyone shares all the reasons they did something and the main line of course is “well I'd have beat you in that hazard “IF”

After all is said and done and evening begins to fall everyone gathers for a Competitors Dinner Party. At this time everyone knows the placing from the scores in Dressage and marathon. Oh what fun as everyone shares stories from the days event, drinks a little wine and then off to a good nights rest. .

The third and final phase of CDE is the obstacle course. This is a test of ones skill and poise and the lead can change hands right here. Once again everyone is all clean and dressed for the final phase of the event, the obstacle course. Cones similar to traffic cones are set up with tennis balls on top that you must travel through without dislodging any of the balls and do this within a time limit. The slightest touch can dislodge the ball on top costing penalty points. The lowest score in all three phases overall takes it all.

When we began driving there were no other Pintos at the events that we attended and few across the nation. Since then we are seeing more Pintos adding color to this great sport. Colored equines and the popularity of them is growing in all disciplines even driving. What is wonderful about Combined Driving is that it is open to any breed that can walk and trot in the traditional way that has athletic ability and a great mind. Pintos come in all sizes, breeds, types and colors and when put to a carriage they stand out in the crowd.

Each division is determined by size, NOT breed as breed is not an issue in combined driving. There are three size categories for equines. Any breed standing 39" and less are considered to be Very Small Equine or (VSE) frequently Miniature horses and some Shetlands . Any breed equine over 39 " to 11.2 are considered to be Small Pony and 11.2 to 14.2 are considered pony. Any breed over 14.2 are considered horse. The size of the animal determines what group you will be in regardless of it’s breed.

There is a separate division for the miniature horses and there are a good number of pinto miniatures in combined driving and these mighty yet tiny athletes even have several events featuring Mini's only. One is the Mighty Mini CDE held in Central Ca. That is another story

In each of the size categories there are any number of combinations of teams. There is Single, which is what we drive. Pairs which is two, four in hand and other configurations from tandem to random.

There are four levels of combined driving. Training level is for new drivers or for horses & ponys just getting started that are learning the ins and out of this very technical sport. At this level you are not timed in the hazards so that there is no push to go to fast without the benefit of years of conditioning and training. Training level only go through gates A through C in the hazards

The second level is Preliminary and the expectations in dressage are higher at this level yet still basic. You are timed in the hazards at this level but cantering anywhere on section E is penalized except in hazards.. At this level you may only do gates A through C. as well as D.

Third is intermediate, where expectation in dressage is even higher with emphasis on collection, bending and traveling on the bit with relaxation and good engagement of hind quarters. At this level one may canter on marathon course and the coarse times are faster and you will do gates A through D and sometimes all the gates in the hazards. The intermediate cones course will also be more demanding with closer wheel tolerence .

Fourth is Advanced level where the expectations are highest in dressage. The marathon course is longer and tougher with having to do all gates in every hazard. Here one must have strength in all three phases with few as possible penalties in order to place overall. The advanced level cones course is a “make it or break it” day for many at this level. There are fewer competitors at the advanced level than at Preliminary or Intermediate but the competition is high.

PtHA is now recognizing Combined Driving as an event where one can gain points for their efforts. I would hope that many of you that are already driving in PtHA competitions will consider trying this sport. Once you get out to a CDE you will find it one of the most exhilarating sports you can do with an equine. If you are thinking to yourself well I would try this if I were ten years younger, don't worry,. Some of the best start in their 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s and they are tough competitors.

This is a sport that families and friends can enjoy together as there is so much involvement. You see youth drivers with parent Gators, and visa versa, husband and wife teams and those that travel with friends.

Combined Driving is a very social affair as well as competitive. People travel for hundreds of miles to get to some of these events and set up wonderful camps on the event grounds. Tents, campers, motor homes some in the horse trailers and some in nearby hotels. It is a sport that draws people of all types.

Combined driving is a sport where some of our top level drivers have what others may consider disabilities. They have special carriages made for themselves that allow for their wheel chairs to fit right in to them. These are not people that have special classes in combined driving they are very able bodied and high level drivers that compete as anynone else does.

Terry and I are gearing up for the 2006 driving season and have hopes to once again compete on the East Coast. We learned a great deal there about driving and though an equipment failure at the end of the marathon cost us Elimination from the event Nifty was a true Champion in our hearts. He was strong and fit and had the best times in all the hazards and showed well overall. We are planning to start the competition year in June traveling to Beavercreek Oregon, Ethel Washington, and of course California at Woodside and finally our big event in Lodi. The Lodi event this year will host the National Pairs Championship. If you want to learn more about this sport and have a colored horse or pony you can go to the American Driving Society website at www.americandrivingsociety.org.