August Driving CT, Combined Driving Event (CDE), & Can-Am Challenge

Start Date:
August 21, 2025

End Date:
August 24, 2025

Entries Open:
July 17, 2025

Entries Close:
August 7, 2025

Location:
5491 South Road, S. Woodstock, VT

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August Driving CT, Combined Driving Event (CDE), & Can-Am Challenge

21 Aug - 24 Aug

GMHA-Driving-HDT-9-For-Web
GMHA_PT4_2513
Cheryl & River

Event Details

WELCOME CANAM COMPETITORS!  Bienvenue a nos amis canadiens!

Coming to watch?  Spectators are welcome!

  • Spectator parking available on the grass at the Upwey Arena – enter from the Morgan Hill entrance!
  • Please do NOT park in front of a parked horse trailer since competitors need to be able to hook up and leave at any time during the event.
    • Cars/general parking is not permitted in the trailer parking lot (the area between the GMHA office and the white Upwey barn)
  • Please note that there is no food service/food truck at this event.  Please pack a picnic to bring with you.
    • The South Woodstock General Store is open from 8am – 2pm to order breakfast/lunch (less than 1/2 mile from GMHA)
  • Competitor times are available in the show office and subject to change!

SCHEDULE

  • Thursday – Combined Test (Driven dressage followed by cones)
  • Friday – CDE Dressage (CDE driven dressage in Upwey Arena)
  • Saturday – CDE Marathon Day (CDE marathon day – equivalent to XC at a Horse Trials – drivers tackle obstacle combinations on the 8-12 kilometer marathon course throughout the beautiful GMHA property)
  • Sunday – CDE Cones (in the Upwey Arena)

The CDE (Combined Driving Event) is modeled after the Three-Day Event, which tests the overall condition and versatility of the horse in sport. A full CDE is usually held over three days with: day 1) Driven Dressage; day 2) Cross Country Marathon; day 3) Cones Driving Competition. Penalty points are assessed in each of the above phases and the winner is the entry who accumulates the fewest points. Combined Driving Events originated in Europe with the first CDE in America held in New Brunswick, NJ, in the early to mid 1970’s.  This year, GMHA offers a Combined Test (Dressage & Cones) in addition to the CDE.


The CAN-AM Challenge is a friendly competition between our competitors from the United States and our Canadian friends to the north.  We have a long history of bonds across the border and are pleased to continue the time-honored traditions and the CAN-AM trophy.  The friendly rivalry between the US and Canada developed around 2010 by Pierre Guillemette and Isabel Denis to foster cross-border friendships and fun spirited competition.

During the August CDE, the US team is chosen on a first come basis to match the Canadian competitors as closely as possible by level (Training, Preliminary and Intermediate). The team with the lowest combined score at the completion of the 3-day event is declared the winner and has possession of the perpetual trophy until the next challenge.

Team members are encouraged to wear national colors and proudly wave their national flags as the CAN-AM Challenge is all about fun, building friendships, and maybe a bit bragging and good-natured joking.

May the best team win!


  • 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.

Event Countdown

2025/08/21 08:00:00

Become a Volunteer

We need your help to make this event a success! We’re looking for scribes, ring stewards, timers, scorers & more.

  • No experience required
  • Tasty food
  • Half & full day shifts available

Contacts

Show Manager:  Eric Wilking

Secretary:  Linda Wilking

  • Phone: 603-731-0513
  • Email complete entries to:
  • If necessary, mail entries to:
    • GMHA August Driving CT & CDE
    • c/o Linda Wilking, 172 Turner Way, Laconia, NH  03246

Horse Health Requirements

**ADS requires Flu/Rhino vaccination dated within 6 months of the competition**

GMHA requires a negative Coggins and proof of rabies vaccination within 12 months for each horse that comes on the property.  Rabies titers are accepted within one year of event date and must accompany a note from your veterinarian explaining the reason why the vaccine could not be administered.

Please note that the State of Vermont requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days or Exhibition Permit from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Animal Health office for any horses entering the state. GMHA does not require these documents with entry, but the VT Agency of Agriculture may enforce these regulations at any time.

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