Class Descriptions

Please see the Entry Form Section of the 2025 Prize
List for the individual Class numbers and titles.

Pleasure Driving Classes – Classes 1 to 55

Pleasure Driving Turnout

Class	Description
1	Single Horse
2	Single VSE
3	Small Single Pony
4	Large Single Pony
5	Junior
6	Pair or Tandem
7	Fours
8	Para/COOL/SN Driver
9	Coach Assist
10	Utility Vehicle Horse
11	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Class entries are judged primarily on performance and quality of turnout. Shown both ways of ring at a walk, slow trot, working trot and strong trot. Equine to stand quietly and rein back if asked. Judged 70% on condition, fit and appropriateness of harness and vehicle, neatness and appropriateness of attire, spares and overall impression; 30% on performance and way of going.

Pleasure Driving Working

Class	Description
12	Single Horse
13	Single VSE
14	Small Single Pony
15	Large Single Pony
16	Junior
17	Pair or Tandem
18	Fours
19	Para/COOL/SN Driver
20	Coach Assist
21	Utility Vehicle Horse
22	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Class entries are judged primarily on suitability of equine to provide a pleasant drive. Shown both ways of ring at walk, slow trot, working trot and strong trot. To stand quietly on the rail and in line and to rein back. Turnout may be chosen for individual work. Judged 70% on equine performance, manners and way of going; 20% on condition and fit of harness and vehicle: 10% on neatness of attire.

Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship

Class	Description
23	Single Horse
24	Single VSE
25	Small Single Pony
26	Large Single Pony
27	Junior
28	Pair or Tandem
29	Fours
30	Para/COOL/SN Driver
31	Tenderfoot
32	Utility Vehicle Horse
33	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Class entries are judged primarily on ability and skill of the driver. Should be shown both ways of the ring at a walk, slow trot, working trot and strong trot. Drivers must rein back. Drivers may be chosen for individual work at any gait as requested by the judge and may be asked to execute specific tests. Either one or two-handed driving is acceptable with elbows and arms close to the body. The driver should have a steady, enabling hand and a consistent feel of the equine’s mouth. Judged 75% on handling of reins and whip, control, posture and overall driver impression; 25% on condition of harness, vehicle and neatness of attire.

Each competitor will be given a score from zero (lowest) to 100 (best) based on their performance in the Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship Class. The highest score for the ‘Lady Driver’ and the ‘Gentleman Driver” will be awarded a trophy.

Progressive Obstacle Course

Class	Description
34	Single Horse
35	Single VSE
36	Small Single Pony
37	Large Single Pony
38	Junior
39	Pair or Tandem
40	Fours
41	Para/COOL/SN Driver
42	Coach Assist
43	Utility Vehicle Horse
44	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Driven at a trot over course of 6 numbered obstacles with the following clearances #1 – 51cm #2 – 41cm #3 – 30cm #4 – 20cm #5 – 10cm #6 – 5cm. After passing through the starting line, the driver proceeds through each obstacle in order until they finish the course or dislodge an obstacle.

Scoring

time to be recorded when an obstacle dislodged or when rear axle clears Obstacle 6
two points given for each set of obstacles cleared, no points for dislodged obstacles.
for groom dismounting, off course, disobedience -points accumulated to that point count but no time is recorded
placing determined on high point basis
placings determined by points in descending order
ties for points broken by fastest time

Your Route/My Route

Class	Description
45	Single Horse
46	Single VSE
47	Small Single Pony
48	Large Single Pony
49	Junior
50	Pair or Tandem
51	Fours
52	Para/COOL/SN Driver
53	Coach Assist
54	Utility Vehicle Horse
55	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Driven over a course of 10 numbered obstacles with clearance of 200 cm for paired markers and 3.6 m for multiple obstacles such as “L” and “U”.

Your Route

After pass through start markers, driver drives through all 10 obstacles in correct sequence and direction.

My Route

After passing through #10 competitor continues without passing through Start/Finish. Drive all obstacles a second time in any sequence and either direction. Time taken when passing through the Finish in either direction. Entries may be stopped by signal after completing Your Route to rebuild any dislodged obstacles.

Scoring

course faults are assessed as penalty seconds and added to driver’s elapsed time.
placings determined on low total time basis
ties for first decided by drive-off
entries with points but no recorded time are placed after equal points and recorded times

Specialty Driving Classes - Classes 56 to 60 and 85 & 86

Carriage Dog Class

Judged for suitability of dog to serve as a companion and only one dog is allowed on the vehicle. Shown both ways of ring at a walk, slow trot and working trot. Dog must be standing, lying down or seated on the vehicle and not running behind, beside or at axle of vehicle. Dog must not be led on the ground from the vehicle or tied to vehicle, driver or passenger. Driver should not hold dog, and dog must not interfere with driver in any way.
Judged

60% on suitability of dog to serve as companion,
30% on performance, manner and way of going of equine and
10% on overall impression of turnout including dog

Ride and Drive

Single horse or pony to be shown in two sections with the Drive portion first.

In Harness

The animal is shown to a suitable pleasure driving vehicle, both ways at walk, slow trot, working trot and strong trot. To stand quietly and rein back.

Under saddle

The animal is to be shown both ways of arena at walk, trot (jog) and canter (lope). To stand quietly in lineup and rein back.
Judged
50% on In-Harness – performance, manners, way of going and suitability.
50% on Under Saddle – performance, manners and way of going under saddle.

Concours d’Elegance – Entry fee not required

The essence of this competition is the word “Elegance.” The winner will be the turnout that in the opinion of the judges presents the most elegant effect throughout the whole show. The judges will assess vehicle, harness, appointments, equine, driver, passenger, groom, etc., but the most important is the overall impression. Period costumes are prohibited. Performance is not judged unless it detracts from the elegance of the turnout.

Ribbon and award to recipient.

Class	Description
56	Carriage Dog
57	Costume
58	Ride/Drive
59	Red Light/Green Light

Costume Class

An entertaining class open to all competitors. Components of the costume may involve the competitors and/or equine. The animal is shown in hand both ways of the ring at a walk, then line up and stand quietly. The costume should be tasteful and entertaining to both the judge and spectators. A maximum of three people may accompany the equine. Individual inspection will be carried out.

Judged
80% on costume and 20% on manners and way of going.

Ribbons 1 to 5 and remaining entries will receive a participation ribbon.

Red Light / Green Light

This class was created to encourage young people to participate in carriage driving. Driven over cones course any driver/animal combination may be used as long as the turnout carries the number of that specific Red Light / Green Light Passenger/ Competitor (referred to as P/C in these rules). The same driver/animal can be used more than once with different P/C entries.

Rules for competing
The driver is responsible to hold adequate liability insurance. The junior P/C to wear a helmet. The P/C directs the driver over a course of numbered obstacles and stop signs. The P/C to call the course out to the driver who then follows their instructions. The obstacles are to be driven in order and when a stop sign is encountered, the P/C is to instruct the driver to stop. At each stop sign a question will be asked based on basic driving information. If the P/C answers correctly the turnout can proceed, otherwise the turnout is to wait out a 10-second penalty.
Judged
The P/C with the lowest time wins the class.
Ribbons for each participant and a prize for winning entry.

Long Reining (Lining) Class – Specialty Award

Each equine is brought into the ring individually on long reins. The competitor then walks a 20-metre circle to the left, halts and when directed performs a walk figure of eight, trot figure of eight, halt and rein back. They then perform a 20-metre circle to the right and exit the ring. When all competitors have completed the individual test, the group enters the ring in hand to be pinned.

Judged
50% on reinsmanship
50% on performance, manners and way of going.

Harnessing Class – Specialty Award

This class is performed in the barn. The unassembled harness is brought to the side of the designated stall, and the equine is put in the stall prior to the start of the class. On the signal the competitor starts to assemble the harness (Time Max 10 min). When the harness is complete or time expired, the equine is then harnessed in the stall (Time Max 10 min).

Judged
30% on assembly of harness
30% on harnessing of equine
30% on ensuring good fit of harness
10% on speed.

Combined Test Classes

Dressage

These Dressage Tests may be used for the ADS Dressage Medals and the ADS Centennial Club Award.

All tests to be driven in a 40m by 80m ring.
The Tests are found at the American Driving Society Website: www:americandrivingsociety.org under Dressage Tests on the home page.
Test times will be available the Wednesday prior to the show

Dressage Tests

Test	Description
Training Level Test	ADS 2020 Training Level C – 80 m
Preliminary Level Test	ADS 2020 Preliminary Level C – 80 m
Intermediate Level Test	ADS 2020 Level C or CAI 1* or CAI 2* – 80m

CDE Style Cones

Please refer to The American Driving Society, Inc. Rulebook 2024 for the rules for CDE cones for The Combined Test Day.

The full description may be found on pages CD-45 to CD-55, including Articles 970 to 978.

Class Descriptions

Please see the Entry Form Section of the 2024 Prize
List for the individual Class numbers and titles.

Pleasure Driving Classes – Classes 1 to 55

Pleasure Driving Turnout

Class	Description
1	Single Horse
2	Single VSE
3	Small Single Pony
4	Large Single Pony
5	Junior
6	Pair or Tandem
7	Fours
8	Para/COOL/SN Driver
9	Coach Assist
10	Utility Vehicle Horse
11	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Pleasure Driving Working

Class	Description
12	Single Horse
13	Single VSE
14	Small Single Pony
15	Large Single Pony
16	Junior
17	Pair or Tandem
18	Fours
19	Para/COOL/SN Driver
20	Coach Assist
21	Utility Vehicle Horse
22	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship

Class	Description
23	Single Horse
24	Single VSE
25	Small Single Pony
26	Large Single Pony
27	Junior
28	Pair or Tandem
29	Fours
30	Para/COOL/SN Driver
31	Tenderfoot
32	Utility Vehicle Horse
33	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

Fault and Out Obstacle Course

Class	Description
34	Single Horse
35	Single VSE
36	Small Single Pony
37	Large Single Pony
38	Junior
39	Pair or Tandem
40	Fours
41	Para/COOL/SN Driver
42	Coach Assist
43	Utility Vehicle Horse
44	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

A timed course of 10 numbered obstacles. Driver passes through Start markers
and then each consecutively numbered obstacle until time expires or obstacle
dislodged or disobedience occurs. If all obstacles driven cleanly before allowed
time expires, driver begins course again, (starting with obstacle #1 without
going through Start markers) until a signal is given indicating time is expired,
obstacle dislodged or a disobedience has occurred. Once the signal is given,
the driver goes through the next obstacle where time is taken as the rear
axle clears this obstacle. Two points for each obstacle cleared before signal
given and 1 point for clear obstacle after signal given. Placings according
to greatest number of points and then lowest time. Article 249.1

Ribbons 1 to 5

Timed Obstacle Course

Class	Description
45	Single Horse
46	Single VSE
47	Small Single Pony
48	Large Single Pony
49	Junior
50	Pair or Tandem
51	Fours
52	Para/COOL/SN Driver
53	Coach Assist
54	Utility Vehicle Horse
55	Utility Vehicle VSE/Pony

To be driven at a trot over course of obstacles not to exceed 20 obstacles. Driver passes through starting line and then goes through each obstacle in sequence until designated finish line. Course faults are assessed as penalty seconds and are added to driver’s elapsed time. Placings based on low time basis.
Ribbons 1 to 5

Specialty Driving Classes - Classes 56 to 60

Class	Description
56	Carriage Dog
57 A	Costume
57 B	International
58	Ride/Drive
59	Red Light/Green Light
60	Concours d’Elegance

Carriage Dog Class

Class 56

Judged for suitability of dog to serve as a companion and only one dog is allowed on the vehicle. Judged both ways of ring at a walk, slow trot and working trot. Dog must be standing, lying down or seated on the vehicle and not running behind, beside or at axle of vehicle. Dog must not be led on the ground from the vehicle or tied to vehicle, driver or passenger. Driver should not hold dog and dog must not interfere with driver in any way. Judged 60% on suitability of dog to serve as companion, 30% on performance, manner and way of going of equine and 10% on overall impression of turnout including dog.
Ribbons 1 to 5

Costume Class /International Class

Class 57A and Class 57B

The Costume Portion of the Class is an entertaining class open to all competitors. Components of the costume may involve the driver, passenger/s, groom/s, carriage and/or equine partners. The costume should be tasteful and entertaining to both the judge and spectators and must represent an international theme such as a destination or population e.g. The Eiffel Tower or a Chinese Junk. Individual inspection will be carried out. Both Portions of this class will be shown both ways of the ring at a walk, working trot and then line up and stand quietly. Each entry judged 70% on costume and adherence to the international theme and 30% on manners and way of going.

Ribbons 1 to 5: If sufficient entries ribbons 1 to 5 will be given for both classes 57A and 57B, otherwise pinned as one class.

The International Portion of the Class is open to all competitors. It is a class where the participants depict a turnout from a particular country. The turnout consists of the equine/s, harness, carriage and dress of the driver, passenger/s and groom/s. The aim is to be as authentic to that country as possible and individual inspections will be carried out. Each entry will be judged 70% on authenticity and quality of turnout and 30% on manners and way of going.

Ribbons 1 to 5.

Ride and Drive

Class 58

Single horse or pony to be shown in two concurrent sections with the Drive portion first.

In Harness: the animal is show to a suitable pleasure driving vehicle, both ways at walk, slow trot, working trot and strong trot. To stand quietly and rein back.

Under saddle: the animal is to be show both ways of arena at walk, trot (jog) and canter (lope). To stand quietly in lineup and rein back. Judged 50% on In Harness: performance, manners, way of going and suitability.

Judged 50% on Under Saddle: performance, manners and way of going under saddle.
Ribbons 1 to 5.

Red Light / Green Light

Class 59

This class was created to encourage young people to participate in carriage driving. Driven over a cones course any driver/animal combination may be used as long as the turnout carries the number of that specific Red Light / Green Light Passenger/ Competitor (referred to as P/C in these rules). The same driver/animal can be used more than once with different P/C entries.

Rules for competing: The driver is responsible to hold adequate liability insurance. The junior P/C to wear a helmet. The P/C directs the driver over a course of numbered obstacles and stop signs. The P/C to call the course out to the driver who then follows their instructions. The obstacles are to be driven in order and when a stop sign is encountered, the P/C is to instruct the driver to stop. At each stop sign a question will be asked based on basic driving information. If the P/C answers correctly the turnout can proceed, otherwise the turnout is to wait out a 10-second penalty. The P/C with the lowest time wins the class.

Ribbons for participants and prize for winning entry.

Concours d’Elegance

Class 60 - entry fee not required

The essence of this competition is the word “Elegance”. The winner will be the turnout that in the opinion of the judges presents the most elegant effect throughout the whole show. The judges will assess vehicle, harness, appointments, equine, driver, passenger, groom, etc., but the most important is the overall impression. Period costumes are definitely prohibited. Performance is not judged unless it detracts from the elegance of the turnout.

Ribbon and award to recipient.

Dressage Classes

Ribbons 1 – 5