Main Menu All you need to compete at a driving show with your donkey is safe, clean well fitting harness, a hat, whip, gloves, a spares kit and an exercise cart. Juniors will need to drive in a hard riding hat. Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Hapgood and Nelly at Lamb Hill Show 2009. Once all these have been checked, it is time for your individual show. Generally the judge will ask for a figure of eight, a few lengthened trot strides and a rein back. Once this is completed, you salute the judge, and take your place in the line. Olwen Brown awaiting the Championship 2009 after winning the Private Driving Class, and completing the show drive. There are many types of driving class at a driving Championship Show. Usually there is a Private Driving Class, an Exercise Vehicle class, and a Best Whip Class. Private driving is for traditional gigs, rally cars or country carriages that have traditional springs. The judging consists of 20% vehicle and harness, 80% donkey and driver. In an exercise Vehicle Class the vehicle is only judged for safety and cleanliness. The Best Whip class is the Best Driver class and judges your ability to drive using the traditional English Hand. Isabelle Goto driving 'On the Razzle' in Concours d'Elegance at Chatsworth.
Show Driving
Showing Classes
When you arrive at the ring the steward will explain where you have to go and when you will enter. Generally you start driving around the ring on the left rein. The judge will request a short trot, and then a change of rein. Once you have trotted on both reins she / he will call of the competitors into line.
This is when the judge checks your harness, vehicle balance and safety, and your spares kit. Your spares kit is carried with you in the eventuality of an accident, or a harness break. It should consist of a first aid kit, ID with medical information, a spare rein, a spare trace, a spare breeching strap, string and a bootlace, a hoof pick, a hole punch, money, and spanners that fit the vehicle. Your mobile phone should be carried in your pocket, in case you become separated from your vehicle.
Once everyone has completed their shows, the judge will send all competitors out for a final trot round before calling in the final placing.
Championships
Other classes include Trade Vehicles, Pleasure Driving, Novice Driving, Best Multiple, Whip and Groom (where the groom drives too), Driven Dressage, Show Drives on quiet roads and tracks, Obstacle and Hazard Driving. At the British Supreme Championship first and second prizewinners of each class who have competed in the dressage and completed the show drive come forward to compete for the British Supreme Championship. At regional / county shows there is no need to complete a dressage test or show drive. If you are first or second in your class you simply enter the Championship.
