Every year, the National Carriage Driving Championships take place in the UK, an equestrian sport that has quite a long history. Apart from the skills of the driver and the compliance of the horse, this sport also tests the bond and compatibility of the driver-horse combination. The driver takes control of a carriage that’s harnessed with one, two or four horses or ponies.
Along with the driver and the horse(s), a groom or backstepper is also present on the carriage. This championship is open only for the qualified competitors who are members of British Carriagedriving, the governing body of this sport. Now, before this even commences, here’s our complete preview of the National Carriage Driving Championships 2024.
Quick Facts
- Event Dates: September 13 to September 15, 2024
- Venue: Ashfields Carriage & Polo Club, Essex, CM6 1JU
- Judges: Sarah-Louise Oxborrow, Sara Clinghan, Derrick Mayes, Julie Tomasik, Heather Turner and Esther Rawlinson
Competition Classes
The competition classes are divided based on whether the competitors are driving horses or ponies, their complete years of experience, and the number of horses or ponies they will drive hitched to their carriage. Here’s a list of all the competition classes at the National Carriage Driving Championship 2024.
- Small Equines (SE)
- Very Small Equines (VSE)
- Novice Horse
- Novice Pony
- Open Single Horse
- Open Single Pony
- Advanced Horse (National Class and qualifier for the 2025 National Championships)
- Advanced Pony
- Open Horse Pairs
- Open Pony Pairs
- Advanced Horse Pairs
- Advanced Pony Pairs
- Horse Tandems
- Pony Tandems
- Horse Four-in-Hand
- Pony Four-in-Hand
The Three Phases of the National Championships
National Championships are split into three phases where the competitors are tested and awarded. Let’s take a look at them.
Driven Dressage
During this phase, the driver and the horse will be tested based on their skills of precision and grace to perform a set of prescribed movements. For the 2024 championship, dressage tests are applicable. Two arenas will be available for this phase.
Marathon
The marathon phase will be quite challenging for the competitors as their speed and endurance will be tested on a long cross-country course. Drivers and horses also have to overcome obstacles during the last leg of the marathon. The whole phase will be divided into Section A of 4-8km and Section B of 6-8km with 8 obstacles.
Obstacle Cone Driving
The final phase will test the driver’s expertise and proficiency with the horse as it navigates through tight spaces between sets of cones that are placed throughout the course. A horse’s flexibility and adherence to the rider will also be highlighted in this phase.
Provisional Programme
The events of the National Championships 2024 will commence on September 13 and conclude on September 15. British Carriagedriving has given a provisional schedule for the events. Let’s take a look at it.
| Day and Date | Phase | Time (BST) |
| Friday, Sep. 13 | Driven Dressage | 9 AM |
| Saturday, Sep. 14 | Marathon (all classes) | 9 AM |
| Sunday, Sep. 15 | Obstacle Cone Driving (all classes) | 9 AM |
Note: As per the entries and availability, the Driven Dressage phase for some classes may be conducted on Thursday, September 12, in the afternoon.
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