GUIDELINES - TURNOUT INSPECTION
The CAA Guides to Carriage Turnout & Appointments and Appendix A of the ADS Pleasure Driving Rules contain standard references for traditional turnouts and these should be referred to for specific information.

Specifications
a) The turnouts are judged at the halt and in motion, by one to three judges.

b) Inspection at the halt will be judged for the quality, cleanliness, safety, and general impression given by the horses, driver (and passengers and grooms), harness, and carriage.

c) On the move, horses will be judged on the impression, elegance, and regularity of the gaits; they should go forward freely and be on the bit. The driver will be judged on his reinsmanship and ability to control his horses, while showing his horses to their best advantage.

d) Horses must be clean. No boots or bandages may be used during the Turnout Inspection.

e) It is strongly recommended, but not required, that single turnouts carry one groom. Pairs require one groom, tandems require one groom, and four-in-hands and unicorns require two grooms.

f) General impression will take into account cleanliness of the whole turnout, suitability of horse(s) to vehicle, and dress and deportment of driver and passengers.

Scoring
Each of the six specified categories are given a score ranging from 1 to 10, with 10 being of exemplary quality” and 1 being ‘extremely poor.’ The total number of points earned will be the score for that competitor. Scores from more than one judge will be averaged. (See sample score sheet.)

GUIDELINES CONES COURSE
The Cones phase allows the driver to demonstrate his ability to drive through a set course of cones, and to demonstrate the training of his horse(s). Cones driving need only be completed within the prescribed time allowed, as it is not a speed test.

Specifications
a) The prescribed pace for the Cones Course is a trot. The judges will eliminate a participant at any time for reckless or unsafe driving. The organizers determine the length and speed of the course and the order of go. A speed of 180 mpm may be used as a guideline. This information, along with a course map, should be posted several hours before the Cones phase.

b) A maximum of 15 gates including multiple obstacles is recommended.

c) The axle width will be measured during the Turnout Inspection. The cones will be set at 30 cm wider than the axle width for two-wheeled and shorter-based four-wheeled vehicles. For larger vehicles (those four-wheeled vehicles longer than six feet from front axle to rear axle), the cones will be set 40 cm wider than the vehicle’s axle width. If circumstances such as time or volunteer availability make measurements and cone setting not feasible then the cones will be set at 180 cm for singles and pairs, 200 cm for tandems and 4 in hands.

d) The participant should salute the judges before he begins the course but it is not necessary to salute at the end of the course.

e) The bell is rung or a whistle is blown by the judges when the participant may begin the course. The bell may also be rung if the participant breaks part of his equipment or his harness requires attention while on course, whereupon the participant may halt, make the necessary repair and continue the course, at the discretion of the judge. The judge will adjust the time accordingly.

Scoring: 15 points awarded in the Cones phase.
Points will be deducted as follows:
a) 1 point for knocking down a ball from the cones.

b) 1 point for cantering (each occasion).

c) 5 points for exceeding the time allowed.

d) 10 points for not finishing the course in one and a half times the time allowed.

e) 5 points for repairable equipment breakage (continuation at the discretion of the judge).

f) 10 points for taking a set of cones out of order.

g) 10 points for failure to go through a set of cones.

GUIDELINES COUNTRY DRIVE
This phase exhibits the driver’s ability to drive his or her carriage safely in different conditions and situations. The rules of the road (using signals, asking permission to pass) are to be observed.

Specifications
a) The driver may halt, walk or trot at will. Walk and trot are the acceptable gaits and the driver should choose the gait that is appropriate for the terrain. Participants will be eliminated for unsafe or reckless driving.

b) The driver must show his ability to keep his horses in a steady, safe pace so as to complete the course within the time allowed. Times allowed, and a two-to-four minute allowable margin, will be set by the organizer.

c) The route chosen should be suitable for the carriages that will be competing.

d) The distance can be up to 7.46 miles/12 km.

e) The course may include up to five simple Driver’s Tests, either man-made or natural. They are to be completed within the overall time allowed and should not be hazardous in any way.

f) There will be numbered mandatory course gates on the Country Drive. The purpose of these gates is to maintain the integrity of the course and to prevent the drivers from taking shortcuts.

Maximum Speeds for the Course
The organizers may modify the speeds and margins for the course to suit the terrain, weather, and conditions. It is strongly recommended that if portions of the course require a walk that the overall time be adjusted at the speed of 5 kph for ponies, draft, donkeys and VSEs and 6 kph for horses for the walk sections. The remainder of the course should have as maximum guidelines the following speeds:

Horses 8.70 miles/14 kph
Ponies 7.46 miles/12 kph
Coaches 6.84 miles/11 kph
Heavy Horses 6.21 miles/10 kph
Donkeys, VSE 5.59 miles/9 kph
Mules as appropriate for height

Driver’s Tests
Driver’s Tests, performed on a pass or fail basis:
a) Stop and stand horse(s) for three minutes. You may let off a passenger or groom to head the horse(s).

b) Drive up to a gate, stop, put a groom down, groom opens gate, turnout drives through, stops, groom closes gate and remounts vehicle.

c) Demonstrate correct use of the whip for signaling turns.

Scoring: 25 points awarded in the Country Drive.

Points will be deducted as follows:
a) 2 points for each failed Driver’s Test.

b) 5 points for not completing the course within the prescribed window.

c) 10 points for completing the course outside the prescribed window +/- 25%.

d) 5 points per occurrence for not going through a mandatory gate (with a maximum of 25 points).

Note: Participants will be eliminated for unsafe or reckless driving.