Overview of Events 

IHDT 

 A series of events held over the winter indoors and run by the club for the Indoor Horse Driving Trials UK. See the links page for their website. The winner of each class series qualifies for the finals held at the end of March at Keysoe Beds.

Driven in marathon mode it consists of Precision and Paces which is the equivalent of a dressage test with 2 judges one judging precision and one paces. A cones course with an optimum time which scores penalties for being under or over the time plus cone knock down penalties. Two rounds of two obstacles driven against the clock.

A double clear in cones means on the time with no knockdowns
Inside out 

As it sounds the same as an IHDT event but run outside normally in the summer with all phases being in marathon dress. A good event for your first time competition outside and usually very relaxed.

The precision and paces is replace by a standard dressage test, the cones course is slightly different in that you can come in under the time allowed and not gain penalties so hear a double clear is under the time or on it with no knockdown.

The marathon phase is usually short anything from 2km to 6 km with usually 6 obstacles and it is only the obstacles that are timed.

Club One Day Event

 All  3 phases held on One Day. However this is not all in Marathon dress and Dressage and cones are driven in presentation dress which is marked either as a standing presentation or on the move during the dressage and a mark given to the standard of presentation. Most people at club level will do this in the one vehicle but may have a 'posh' set or harness for this phase. 

The marathon phase E is then driven with an optimum time window which you must complete in to not get penalties and each obstacle is timed. This is usually just one phase. There may also be compulsory 'gates' which must be passed through on the course. Obstacles may be purpose built or may use natural features such as trees and water.
Club 2 Day Event

The first day is dressage and cones the same as a one day event with presentation being judged. 

The second day is either a 5 phase (A to E) or more commonly a 3 phase marathon (C to E). The first phase C is usually 4- 5 Km in trot with a minimum and maximum time which is calculated at a set speed which is different for novice and open and for horses and ponies. After a short halt there is then a 1km walk, phase D, again with the respective times. This is followed by a 10 minute halt where there may be a vet inspection to make sure the horse/pony is fit to continue. There is then the exiting bit which is the final phase E which is at any pace and approx 8-10km including usually 6 obstacles.

Your horse pony needs to be fit for this event as some of the courses are quite testing with some long hills especially at the club championships at West Overton.

Back to Event Diary