National & Young Drivers Carriage Driving Trials

SANDRINGHAM NATIONAL & YOUNG DRIVERS CARRIAGE DRIVING TRIALS

29th June - 1st July 2018

The Royal Estate, Sandringham, Norfolk PE35 6EN
By gracious permission of Her Majesty The Queen

Carriage Driving is a fast exciting sport for all age groups. It is the only equestrian sport/discipline where you can compete on an equal footing from 14 years old to 70 plus, with or without disabilities, male or female alike, using ponies and horses.

Day 1 – Dressage: The first part of the competition, athletes (competitors) must complete the Dressage phase, consisting of a sequence of set movements (driven from memory) to display the schooling and obedience of the horses.

Day 2 – Marathon: Athletes have to complete the first two sections of the cross-country marathon course, (up to 9 km) twisting and turning its way around part of the glorious setting of the Sandringham Estate, which is a demanding test of stamina of both athletes and horses.

Day 3 – Cones Driving: This is the climax and final phase of the competition which equates to the show jumping phase of a ridden three day event, testing the skill and competence of the driver and the suppleness and obedience of the animal. Cones Driving requires a steady hand, nerves of steel and a well trained horse! 

The winner in each class is the Athlete with the LOWEST TOTAL PENALTY SCORE over the three phases of the competition.

Free parking and entry for the public, ‘come and picnic in the park’.  There will be catering stands for refreshments, plus a bouncy castle for children.