An introduction to Harness Driving.

By Angie, from Walkabout Creek 

Some information for those who may be seeking the driving side of minis:

Firstly I need to stress that if you are just getting into the driving side of things I would recommend joining a harness club , a lot is learned from experienced people and are only to happy to help with anything you may need to know, this is the difference between a great horse in harness and a horse that could end up hurting you or itself. 
Not only that a harness club introduces both you and your horse to many different aspects of driving, which are varied from dressage in harness, cones, novelties, marathon driving, show driving and the list goes on. 
Joining a harness club will help you in many ways to find your forte in what suits you and your horse best or what you enjoy doing the most . 
A harness club also teaches both you and the horse many different driving skills and safety lessons which are imperative. To find the harness club closest to you check out the Australian Carriage Driving Society (ACDS) at http://www.acds.org.au/.  Anything you need to know is there , there are also forums and show dates for every state, not just for show driving but for all driven events. 

Below is some information that I have compiled together for people interested in harness driving.

An interpretation for different harness classes you would see at the shows 

Horse/pony/mare/stallion/gelding in harness. 
This class is judged on the horse only. The vehicle and harness do not count whatsoever. However, the more professionally turned out you are, the better first impression for the judge. This does not mean the most money spent, the best vehicle, it means clean safe, neat and tidy. The whip (driver) should always wear hat, gloves, apron or knee rug, and whip should be in the vehicle, though I personally feel it should always be carried for safety purposes. The horse should show no resistance, be free and forward, light, responsive and obedient. He should draw the carriage by the traces, not by the reins, be on the bit, collected, with a soft jaw, nose slightly in front of the vertical. He should be able to be driven in both directions and should flex in the direction he is travelling. May be asked for a SHOW or lengthening of stride, walk or rein back. In the Show Driving Horse, Presence (that look at me quality) is important. Some degree of hock and knee action as well as being able to cover ground is desirable.

Pleasure Horse
Should be just that, accept the bit kindly, be instantly obedient to commands, walk , stand still and back when asked. A calm well mannered unflappable horse, that is a pleasure to drive. Perhaps not as collected as in a horse in harness class. Must remain in light contact with driver's hands (safety reasons).

Obstacle Harness
The horse is asked to negotiate pairs of cones (witches hats) normally with tennis balls placed on top, and measured to the outside width of the wheels of the vehicle, plus 20 to 60 cm clearance. It can be judged on the fastest clear round, or on the fastest round with 5 penalty seconds added for every ball dislodged. Any pace is allowed, and a running start through the start and finish flags (red and white, with red always passed on the right hand side.) It may include multiple obstacles such as a row of hats (serpentine) or a 'u' or 'L' shape.

Educated
The horse only is judged. Should be the same as Horse in Harness, and would be asked to show any or all of the following on both reins: walk, walk on bit, collected trot, working trot, extended trot, plus halt (square) and rein back

Turnout
hard wheeled cart. In open competition, would probably be called

  
Hard wheeled turnout Vehicle

pneumatic tyred turnout. In open competition, would generally refer to a viceroy turnout. (a viceroy turnout is also called a show-vehicle turnout), but as many people with minis use pump up tyred joggers which are lightweight vehicles for minis, in mini shows, it would refer to these also.


Jogger turnout Vehicle

In a traditional turnout, (open Turnout) the points are allocated as:

Period or Authentic Turnout:


Viceroy turnout Vehicle

To quote variously from the ACDS Show Judges Handbook,

"Turnout classes are judged on cleanliness, quality of turnout, correct fit of harness and vehicle and the horse's performance and general appearance. For safety reasons in classes adjustments on the harness should not be on the first or last hole."

The vehicle should have a carpet or mat and step.
Apart from viceroys, other vehicles should carry - waterproof lap/loin cover in leather valise at feet. May be in boot or under the seat of a buggy (which is a four-wheeler), knee rug or apron, headstall and lead attached to dashboard, (not so for a buggy) wheel spanner.
Buggies do not have a wheel strap. They may carry in their boot spare halters waterproof cover, etc, but not on the dash. The wheel strap should be in place on the shaft ready for use, mats, whip holder (whip carried in hand) matches in lamps if you have them, candles that have been previously lit. Handpiece of the reins should be brown leather.
Tails should not be plaited, plaiting of manes is optional.

What the judge is looking for in harness is unsafe, dirty incorrectly fitted/straps hanging down.
In the vehicle, right size, safe, clean suitable, good repair - paint, linework, Sound wheels, tread on tyres.
In the horse, obedient, stands still, on the bit, Working correctly, sound good conformation, clean legs, clipped or trimmed, plaited or neat mane according to the breed (tail never plaited).

The general appearance should be an overall balanced pleasing picture.

Lady or Gent Whip

The whip (driver) is being judged.
Sit up straight, hands together, whip at 10 to 12. Wear hat, apron (or knee rug) gloves.
Should have control of the horse at all times with aids as discrete as possible.
Can be asked to perform a one handed circle (not compulsory).
The reins may be held in any fashion, although by experimenting, you will find some styles look more elegant than others.

There are different styles such as 'Aachenbach' or English style, with the left rein over the top of the index finger, and the right rein between the middle and ring finger of the left hand.
If it is a green horse, I then take out about 10cm of right rein with my right hand (dressage position), or if the horse is educated, I find it looks more elegant to place the right hand in front of the left, and 'work' the reins with this hand e.g. for turns, while using the left hand as the holding or brake hand. With this style, the left hand will always be there to support the right. Not recommended for Beginners.

Some judges may ask you to show how you would apply the whip as an aid to your horse. They are often looking to see that you take your hand off the reins (which is the correct thing to do) so that you do not jag the horse's mouth when moving your hand to apply the whip.

Handy Harness Horse
Judged on versatility and obedience (and can be timed).
A typical course could have any of the following: carry a 'letter' from the start into a designated square, completely halt and hand to waiting person or place on a drum. Negotiate a serpentine of witches hats, then run either wheel the full length of a plank of wood placed on the ground. There may be poles showing a three sided square which you need to back the vehicle into, and touch the wheels against the back pole. Place one wheel inside a 1.2 metre square and 'shaft' round 180 degrees to face the way you came. Walk the horse under a 'washing line' of flags. Pick up an object off a drum and carry to another drum.