Join us for 3 days of driving competition at GMHA during foliage season!  Spectators welcome!

• Day 1)  Combined Test (CT) on Friday : 
  • The Combined Test (CT) includes dressage and cones. Scores from each phase are combined.
  • Driven Dressage tests are judged similarly to a ridden dressage test, but in a much larger 40-meter x 80-meter ring.
  • The drivers are required to perform a set of movements which include changes of pace, circles, turns, extensions, rein back and halt.  Each movement is judged and scores are tallied.
  • The object of cones is to drive through a course of narrowly spaced pairs of cones cleanly within time allowed. Each cone has a ball placed on top, and any miscalculation will dislodge the ball, thus incurring a penalty. This phase tests the fitness, agility and obedience of the horse and the accuracy and skill of the driver.

• Day 2)  Arena Trials (AT) on Saturday:
  • The Arena Trials (AT) includes dressage, cones, and arena obstacles. Scores from all phases are combined.
  • Arena obstacles were created as a way to practice marathon obstacles without a full cross-country marathon.
  • Two obstacles are set up at either end of an arena, with a start and finish line across the center of the arena.
  • Obstacles consist of large sturdy obstacles marked with gates, which drivers must complete in the correct order.
  • Competitors are timed as they drive each obstacle twice. Penalties are assessed for time and knockdowns.

• Day 3)  Driving Derby on Sunday:
  • The Driving Derby is a mix of Driven Cones and Arena Obstacles.
  • A Derby is designed to be fun and exciting for competitors and spectators to watch and cheer on the favorite team. 
  • After a start/finish line, the course is often 10-16 narrowly spaced cones and 2 Arena Obstacles driven as safely and quickly as possible. 
  • The course will be set up in the Upwey Arena on Sunday with each entry driving the cones and obstacles in numerical order. 
  • After 2 rounds, with the times and any penalties combined, the competitor with the lowest time and penalty total in each division is declared the winner.

• Camping on-site is available for GMHA members.  All horses must be stabled.  Not a member?  Join, or renew, today at this link:  https://gmhainc.org/membership/
• See Omnibus Prize List for more details or contact the event secretary listed below.
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Join us for fun and get right in on all the action!  No experience necessary (we’ll train you), shift meal, & appreciation gift included!  Click on the button lower left for more details and to sign up via SignUp Genius.

Photographer:  ShawnTinkhamPhotography.com