Rules of the Concours d'attelage de Tradition 2009

The object of these competitions is to maintain the art of traditional driving, using original traditional carriages, to develop its image and help the lovers of this sport to improve their skills.
The competitions has three phases :    

Administrative conditions

To take part in a traditional driving competition (CAT) or international driving competition (CIAT), the driver and the groom must be at least 12 years old. Between 12 and 16, the driver must be accompanied by an adult. Each driver who takes part in such a competition must be in order with statutory requirements.
To compete the driver must have evidence of comprehensive insurance (third party liability including cover for carriage driving.) and  horses, ponies and donkeys must be correctly shod, vaccinated, chipped and have an identification card or passport. Otherwise they will not be able to take part in the competition.

Judging

The jury is composed of a president and one or two certified judges . It guarantees that the rules are properly observed.
The jury has the authority to eliminate what they consider to be a potentially dangerous turnout (including stressed or badly behaved horses, inexperienced drivers, dangerous carriages, badly fitting harness, etc…).

Carriages

Original traditional old carriages  are marked out of 20 points,   reproductions and others are marked out of 12 points.
The competitor’s number must be clearly visible on the carriage.

• Phases

The  same driver accompanied by his groom(s) must drive in all three phases or will be disqualified.
The number of grooms  must remain the same. (in grooms clothing or otherwise)
   
 
single  groom not obligatory ( unless the driver is younger than 16 year)       
pair or tandem or 3 horses  1 groom       
unicorn, pickaxe, four in a hand or more 2 grooms    

The driver and the grooms must wear the same clothes during the three phases, except if it rains. A change of clothes results in the disqualification of the turnout.
The complete turnout cannot be changed in any way. ( horse, carriage, harness,…) If any problems, the jury may accept a change during the competition but the turnout will be disqualified.
A horse or pony may only be driven once in each phase during the event.

A. Presentation

Each turnout is judged at the halt, individually by each of the judges, as per the official Presentation Sheet.
Boots and bandages on the horses are forbidden. (10 point penalty)
A competitor arriving after the time indicated on the schedule for the presentation receives  a 5 point penalty.

B. Road drive

The road drive is to test the skills and knowledge of the driver and the ability to drive at a  steady pace in normal circumstances. The route will be suitable for all type of carriages, on good tracks.
The distance should be between 12 kms and 17 kms.
The driver must  respect the highway code at all times and he drives at his own risk.
The maximum speed is :

1.     6 km per hour for donkeys;
2.     10 km per hour for small ponies ( up to and including 1,32 m) and heavy horses;
3.     12 km per hour for ponies ( over 1,32 m)
4.     14 km per hour for horses;
5.     12 km per hour for heavy carriages (carriages of more than 700kg empty)

The technical delegate may reduce the speed as a function of the topographic and prevailing conditions. He will inform the judges.
The time allowed will be + or - 1 minute.
For example : official time = 65 mins. Allowed time = between 64 and 66 mins.
Each second over or under the time allowed = 0,2 penalty point.
There is a maximum of 5 natural or artificial obstacles (PC) The last one must be at least 300 metres before the finish. (taken from an official list)
There is a 5 point penalty for the driver who stops in the last 300 metres.
A driver will be disqualified if he drives through a PC on the Road Drive or through a gate of the cone driving before the competition. All help in a PC is penalised by 10 penalties.

C. Cone driving

The cone driving competition is to test the skill of the driver and of the obedience and agility of the  horses on a given  course. 
The area should be on flat firm ground of between 6000 – 8000 square metres and provide safe driving conditions.
The speed is 180m/mn for heavy horses, tandems and four-in-hands. 200m/mn for the others.
The use of disc-brakes is not allowed during this phase. If used  a 10 point penalty will be applied.
The competitor may not stay in the arena more than twice the time limit allowed for the course, after this he will be asked to leave.
The course will have a maximum of 20 gates. No obstacle with bars is allowed. The distance between each gate of the zig zag is at least 12 meters.
The width of the gates:

1.     for a 2 wheeled  vehicles,  the wheel track width + 30 cm;
2.     for a 4 wheeled vehicles,  depends on the track of the rear wheels and of the distance between the front and the rear wheel banding

width between the wheel banding           width of the gate       

Winchester                                                 total width 230 cm       
Winchester with heavy horses                       total width 250 cm  

If competitors inspect the course within 1hour of the cone driving they must be dressed as for the competition.  If  not: 5 penalty points.
The driver must salute the jury before the start of his round but not necessarily at the end.
Exceeding the time limit: 0,2 point/second.
Missing  the starting gate:  10 penalty points, and must start again.
Each ball knocked  down :   5 penalty points, and on any one gate there is  a maximum of  5 penalty points .
The gates must be negotiated in numerical order and cannot be crossed again. If a gate is taken twice : 5 penalty points. (in either  direction)
If  a driver misses  a gate, he can retake the gate, before continuing on to the next gate , without penalty points. If he has already taken the next gate:10 penalty points. Each gate, taken or not taken, if knocked down: 5 penalty points. The clock is stopped when the jury bell is rung until the gate is re-erected. A gate partially taken without any balls knocked down: 5 penalty points.
If the driver forgets to go past the finish gate: 10 penalty points.   As long as the driver has not gone through the finish or has not gone out of the arena, the clock continues.
A refusal at a gate is not penalized. All help is penalised by 10 penalties.