What is an Arena Driving Trial?

An ADT is like a Combined Driving Event (CDE) except that there is no distance portion and all three activities (dressage, cones, hazards) take place in an arena. Additionally, the event is always in "marathon dress" and the same carriage may be used throughout the event. This event is great for VSEs (minis), ponies, horses, and multiples. This is a great way to “test drive” and practice for a CDE, and lots of fun for both beginners and experienced folks. The goal here is to have a great time and learn with your equine. American Driving Society (ADS) rules as of January 2011 will be followed, with exceptions noted.

Sponsors:  Cypress Keep and Black Prong Equestrian Center

Our charity is "Soldier's Angels" and there will be a collection box.

Classes/Divisions

Any size equine can compete, and any number of them (single, pair, tandem, unicorn, fours)

Levels of Difficulty:

• Training: This division is for beginners and novices AND ALL TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES. No cantering in any portion of the competition - walk and trot only. Calling of the dressage test allowed at this level - you can have someone in the carriage or on the sideline reading you the test if you wish. Gates A-B-C in hazards.
• Preliminary: Four-wheeled vehicles. Cantering allowed in hazards and cones course only.  Gates A-B-C-D  in hazards.
• Intermediate: Four-wheeled vehicles. Cantering allowed anywhere on course. Gates A-B-C-D-E in hazards.
• Advanced:  Four-wheeled vehicles. Cantering allowed anywhere on course. Gates A-B-C-D-E-F in hazards

Dress:

• The entire event can take place in marathon dress (no apron required, but gloves and whip are required).  All phases require a safety helmet. 

Officials:

• Judge and Course Designer:  John Porter  (John is an USEF/FEI Combined Driving Steward and ADS Learner Judge and Technical Delegate)
• Technical Delegate and Scoring: Erika Matulich  (Erika is an ADS "r" Technical Delegate in both Combined Driving and Pleasure Driving)
• Additional Instructor: (to take other lessons or get coaching while at Black Prong): Note that anyone taking lessons or receiving coaching must either be competing or have purchased a stall. Fred Merriam can be contacted at [email protected]

Course/Event Information

Safety Check and Wheel Measurement will occur 10 minutes prior to your scheduled dressage time on Saturday.

Dressage:  All tests are in a 40x80m arena.  All tests are in marathon dress - safety helmet required.  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the dressage tests.  You can also drive additional tests on Sunday in between hazards, schedule permitting.

YOU CAN PICK YOUR OWN TEST FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST:

Cones will immediately follow your dressage. Cones will be approximately 16-20 gates, and could include a zigzag. You can drive the cones twice, and choose how you want to have each "run" scored:  Your choice of a TIMED competition (0.5 penalties per elapsed second, plus balls down, or your choice of a FAULT competition (with a time allowed). Cantering is permitted at all levels except training.

You can choose a competition level different than dressage or hazards.  For example, you could drive a prelim dressage test, a training cones run (with wider clearance), and hazards at the intermediate level.

Cones settings are based on STANDARD SETTINGS from Article 952, 2011 ADS rulebook.  ANY  CARRIAGE SIZE CAN BE USED**:

Obstacles/Hazards will be in the arena. You can drive at a DIFFERENT level than your dressage test or cones level (for example, you could drive training dressage, advanced cones, and intermediate hazards)

• In the morning, each competitor will drive two hazards (#1 & #2).  The competitor can elect to drive the two hazards again, and best performance on the hazards will be scored. 
• The hazards will be reflagged and walked during the lunch break.
• In the afternoon, each competitor will drive two hazards (#3 & #4). The competitor can elect to drive the two hazards again, and best performance on the hazards will be scored. 
• Time taken is converted to penalty points at 0.2 points per second, and lowest total penalty points determines placing.

All hazard gates will be driven in alphabetical order, with the number of gates dependent on experience level:

• Training: 3 gates A-B-C (NO CANTERING PERMITTED)
• Preliminary: 4 gates A-B-C-D
• Intermediate: 5 gates A-B-C-D-E (4-wheel vehicles only)
• Advanced: 6 gates A-B-C-D-E-F (4-wheel vehicles only)

Note that VSEs do not need a navigator, but small ponies, large ponies, horses, and any multiples require a navigator in the hazards.

Tentative Schedule

• Friday
  • Noon stabling opens
  • 4:00 show office opens (Apartment #1 near dressage ring #1)
  • 6:00 courses available for walking
• Saturday
  • 9:30 a.m. volunteer briefing
  • 9:45 a.m. Safety check and wheel measurement begins
  • 10:00 a.m. Dressage and Cones
  • Lunch break
  • 12:45 afternoon Safety check and wheel measurement
  • 1:00 p.m. Dressage and cones
• Sunday
  • 9:30 a.m. volunteer briefing
  • 10:00 a.m. Hazards 1 and 2
  • 10:00 a.m. Additional Dressage Pick-a-Tests
  • Lunch Break
  • 1:15 p.m. Hazards 3 and 4

Volunteers Needed!

Please bring along a spouse, friend, neighbor, or child (over age 12). Volunteers get fed lunch!

Volunteers needed:

SATURDAY

Hospitality and Score Running: _____

Dressage Steward (Warmup and Gate): ______

Dressage scribe: Julie Anthony

Safety Check/Wheel measurement: John Cox, ______

Cones Judge: David Getz

Cones Scribe: _____

Cones Timers: _____

Cones Steward: _____

Cones Setters: _____, _____, _____

SUNDAY

Hazard steward: Linda Fuller

Safety Check: Katie Carris

Hazard observers: ______

Hazard timers: John Cox

Hospitality and Score Running: _____

Dressage scribe: Marybeth Miklos

Fees

• Entry: $45 per entry. Entries are limited to 35 and close (by postmark) on March 21. Post entry fee (if space available) is $60. No refunds after closing date.
• Stalls: $65 stall fee with $30 separate stall deposit check made out to Black Prong. Equestrian Center. Covers Friday noon to Sunday 6 p.m. Bring your own shavings.
• Grounds Fee:  If not stabling, $40 grounds fee per entered competing horse for the weekend.  If the equine is not competing, a stall is required.
• Camping:  For no hookups: $15/night. For basic water and electricity: $25/night.  For full camping with sewer, water, electric is $35 per night.  Reservations and payment must be made with Black Prong at 352-486-1234.
• Lodging in the on-property apartments is available at the discounted rate of $88/night plus tax. Apartments have adjoining stalls. Reservations and payment must be made with Black Prong at 352-486-1234.
• $10 vendor fee payable to Cypress Keep. Vendors please confirm a space prior to arrival.
• Payments:  Entry fee plus stall/grounds fee in check made out to Cypress Keep. Stall deposit made out to Black Prong Equestrian Center and included with entry.  Camping/Lodging arranged separately through Black Prong Equestrian Center. Mail entries, payments, and coggins to 4909 Stanley Road, Plant City, FL 33565

Download Entry Forms in  PDF Format or Microsoft Word.   Download the Black Prong Liability Release Form. Get Free Adobe PDF reader.

Safety Information and Rules

• Dress is casual "marathon" for the entire event.
• All members of your party must sign a liability release form, including drivers, navigators, grooms, guests, or assistants.
• All dogs/pets must be kept on a leash at ALL TIMES.
• All children under the age of 12 must have adult supervision at ALL TIMES.
• Hardhats/safety helmets are required during the competition, and are also required when driving at will throughout the property.

A COMPLETE Entry guarantees your slot - signed entry form, Coggins papers, stall deposit check to Black Prong, Liability release forms from Black Prong, and entry/grounds/stall payment check to Cypress Keep. Incomplete entries will receive lower priority.

Gate code for after-hours Black Prong : 2100