Welcome to Driving & Para Driving

Horses were driven long before they were ridden and, as such, Driving is the oldest competitive equestrian sport yet it continues to thrive in the 21st century. Drivers sit on a vehicle drawn by a single horse or pony, a pair or a team of four and they face three trials – dressage, marathon and obstacle driving.

Dressage involves performing a sequence of compulsory figures within a 100 x 40 metre rectangle. Movements – which must be executed from memory – include speed and gait transitions, circles of different sizes and halts.

The marathon is a spectacular time trial run over a course including natural hazards such as sharp turns, water and steep hills, and artificial ones such as labyrinths. It tests the horses’ fitness and stamina and the driver’s judgment of pace and horse control.

Obstacle driving – or cones – tests the fitness, obedience and suppleness of the horses after the marathon, as well as the skill and competence of the driver who must weave cleanly through a narrow track outlined by cones with balls balanced on top.

Driving came under the FEI umbrella in 1970 thanks to the efforts of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, then the FEI President, who organised the meeting in 1969 which produced the first rule book. One notable alteration to the rules followed a competition in Windsor, Great Britain, where a back wheel collapsed on a vehicle and the watching Queen Elizabeth allowed for a small tree to be tied to the axle to keep it off the ground. The rules stated subsequently that a "vehicle must have four wheels crossing the finishing line".

In 2006 Para Driving joined the ranks of the other 7 FEI disciplines with national and international competitions in Driving for individuals with a disability.

Latest Department Updates

  • 4 Dec 2017
    Driving - Rules 2018

    Driving - Rules 2018

    We would like to inform you that the 2018 Driving and Para Driving Rules are now available in our website.
     
    You can also find them directly here below by clicking on the image below.
     
                       

     

  • 27 Nov 2017
    Driving - World Cup Speed Box description

    Dear officials,

    Please find a new working document for the Driving World Cup with the description of the speed box here

  • 13 Sep 2017
    Driving - 2018 WEG Test Events Calendar

    We would like to inform you that the Test Events Calendar for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon is now published here.


     

  • 5 Sep 2017
    Driving-FEI World Para-Driving CH Izsak (HUN)
    Dear National Federations,
     
    We would like to inform you that the schedule for the FEI World Para-Driving Championships for Single in Izsak (HUN), taking place from the 28th September to 1st October 2017 is now published here
     
    Kindly note that the deadline of the nominated entries is: 11.09.2017 
     
    To make your entries please complete the formulary next to “Certificate of Capability – Entry list” which can be found here and send it to ladanyi.kovacs.zoltan@gmail.com no later than 11.09.2017.

     

     

  • 18 Aug 2017
    Driving - Top Driver Award 2016

    © Foto Studio Strauch

     
    We would like to congratulate Mr. Boyd Exell (AUS) for winning the 2016 Best Driver Award for the Four-in-Hand class.
     
    The prize was given during a ceremony at the CAIO in Aachen (GER) on 23 July 2017.
     
    The Top Driver Award is, in effect Driving Standings based upon the four best results in each category achieved in FEI competitions.
     
    This award is added to a long list of achievements for Boyd Exell, who is also a four times World Champion and seven times FEI World Cup Driving Champion.

     

     

  • 14 Aug 2017
    Driving - Master list Göteborg FEI European Driving Championship for Four-in-Hand
     
    The definite entries have been submitted for the FEI European Driving Championship for Four-in-Hand in Göteborg (SWE) (22-27 August 2017). 
     
    You can find the Master List of participation here
     
    Here are some important figures regarding the entries:
     
    Countries: 9
    Team: 7
    Athletes: 21
    Horses: 105

     

     

  • 20 Jul 2017
    Driving - Updated Promotion Criteria FEI Driving Officials

     

    Please find the 2017 updated Promotion Criteria for FEI Driving Officials here

    Further information regarding the Education system and course organisation for Driving can be found here.

     


     

  • 7 Jul 2017
    Driving - Statistics 2011-2016

     

    Discover our presentation on Driving and Para-Driving statistics (2011-2016) and learn useful information on the history of the sport and its significant evolution.
     
    You can find the presentation here.

     

     

  • 6 Jun 2017
    Driving - Updated Rules Young Horses Championships
     
    We would like to inform you that the FEI Rules for World Driving Championships for Young Horses have been updated and are applicable as of now.
     
    Please find them here.

     

  • 1 May 2017
    Driving - World Equestrian Games 2018 Driver Ranking

    At its in-person meeting in FEI Headquarters after last month’s Sports Forum, the FEI Bureau approved the granting of financial support to eligible National Federations for the participation of Athletes in the Four-in-Hand Driving Event at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 in Tryon (USA).  

    The conditions of eligibility for this funding are set out in one document which can be consulted here.

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