Participating in Competitive Driving Part II

A volunteer will let drivers begin at the starting point in 5 minute intervals. The trail may be very obvious but if it is not, look for colorful surveyor's tape and signs with arrows on them directing you to turn. On you go, over rolling hills and meadows, winding through woods and perhaps you find a little creek or beautiful vista on your route. The drive is not a race and you will likely be able to meet your window of time using a steady trot with periods of walking. Are you nearing the midpoint vet check? Then slow down to lower those metabolics.

The midpoint vet check is usually 40 minutes, total length. You can unhook your horse, allow him to drink and graze a bit and present him to the vet 10 minutes after arriving at the check point. Often the crew or other volunteers bring buckets and large jugs of water in a pickup truck to the check point. If there is natural water, such as a pond or stream, you could also sponge down your horse. The vet checks the metabolics of each horse and an assistant records the information on the score sheets. A horse found to be in distress would be quickly attended to.

You did it! You made it to the finish line in your correct window of time and your horse is still very willing to go. Now you have exactly 10 minutes to cool down your horse and present him to the vet for pulse and respiration readings.  You will offer him a drink and a bit of hay to help him relax.

"Come on, fella! Please still have some energy", you say to your horse as you trot him out for the vet check at the end of your drive. Arabs, Half-Arabs, Morabs, and Standard Bred horses are often used but any breed can do well at competitive driving given the proper conditioning.