Pleasure Driving
Pleasure Driving cover a wide range of
activities from taking a drive around the farm to competing at a formal Pleasure
Driving show. Horses, whose normal routine includes casual drives around the
farm and through the woods, are tested in the show ring. At a Pleasure show, one
competes against other competitors who are driving the same or similar types of
vehicles and the same number of horses hitched to their carriages.
Pleasure Driving show require a "turnout" of you, your horse, harness and the
carriage—country to formal (with grooms). The competition may consist of ring
classes which evaluate you and your horse in terms of reinsmanship and turnout,
or may involve a series of obstacles. Simple obstacle, cones with balls placed
on top of them, which when disturbed by the carriage, drop to the ground to more
advanced obstacles, including bridges and ground poles placed parallel to each
other in different configurations such as "L", through which the driver must
negotiate the carriage, test the horse and driver's skill. The level of the
obstacles can be matched to that of the driver by decreasing with width between
the obstacles and/or timing the event.
Most Pleasure shows have a "cross country" course set up outside the ring. This
class takes competitors over a timed course where they are expected to navigate
through a series of obstacles found on a typical village or farm—water, bridge,
gates. Pleasure
Driving shows are a great way to meet drivers, get helpful suggestions from
others and develop a strong sense of camaraderie. Driving is a social activity,
one that can be enjoyed at Pleasure Driving events, competitor get-togethers at
shows, or simply by a quiet drive on an afternoon through the countryside with
friends and family.
