Driving has three phases, and is most similar to the mounted equestrian sport of eventing. Part of the challenge of combined driving is that the drivers may only communicate to their horses using their hands and voice.

Phase 1:
Presentation: The judge grades on the cleanliness of the horses, tack, and vehicle, the matching of the horses or ponies, and the dress of the driver and groom(s). The judging is done at the halt.

Dressage: The dressage test is similar to the mounted version, although it only calls for movements at the walk and trot.

Phase 2:
The marathon is similar to the second phase of eventing, the speed and endurance. It tests the fitness and stamina of the horses, as well as the driver's knowledge of pace

Phase 3:
The cones phase is a test of accuracy, similar to the stadium phase of eventing. A driver negotiates a course of up to 20 sets of cones with a ball balanced on top.

Past Winners
1990 Stockholm: Tomas Eriksson of Sweden
1994 The Hague: Michael Freund of Germany
1998 Rome: Werner Ulrich of Switzerland
2002 Jerez: Ijsbrand Chardon of the Netherlands
2004 Kecskemet: Michael Freund of Germany
2006 Aachen: Felix Marie Brasseur of Belgium

For more information, please visit www.americandrivingsociety.org