Equestrian World Anticipates Event of the Month as FEI Driving World Cup ‘Roll Into’ Stockholm

Equestrian is one of many interesting sports not restricted to a single discipline. From dressage to horse racing and vaulting to rodeo, the field has embraced varied roles and rules. Though only three make it to the Olympics, the others are no less admired. Following along, one of its widespread ranges includes the sport of driving; interestingly, the oldest in the field.

FEI, the international governing body of equestrian sports, stands to organize numerous contests and championships to introduce promising athletes. While various leagues have held their moments of year-end Championships for the season, this time around, it is the FEI Driving World Cup revving up for a new stop; building excitement and anticipation.

FEI shares excitement

Starting from October 31st, the FEI Driving World Cup is scheduled to last through to February 2024 for the finals evening. Meanwhile, from the 30th of November, Stockholm, Sweden, will host the 4th leg of the tour; holding the qualification process for the indoor season. Excited for the next stop, FEI took to Instagram to share the celebrations. “Who wants to have a wheelie-good time?” the post captioned. “Well, get ready because the FEI Driving World Cup will roll into the @swehorseshow in Stockholm for a showdown like no other. Buckle up and brave the thrill!”

From November 30th to December 3rd, qualifiers will compete across 2 competitions for the next step. Mareike Harm, Glenn Geerts, Boyd Exell, Bram Chardon, and Michael Brauchle are the qualified riders for Stockholm, while Fredrik Persson stands as a wild card. The driving will consist of 3 categories based on skills and execution.

The world of driving in equestrian sport

Driving in the equestrian field includes an athlete mounting a vehicle drawn by various combinations of horses; single, pony, a pair, or team of four. Whatever the combination, the team races through 3 different categories: dressage, marathon, and obstacle driving. The first one of the lot involves an athlete performing a sequence of compulsory figures within a 100 x 40-metre rectangle. FEI states that speed and gait transitions, circles of different sizes, and halts are the necessary executions expected.

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As for dressage, the performers will have to excel at the natural course based on time, stamina, and rider’s coordination with horse. Following the same, the obstacle course will hold cones, constructing a narrow track to test horse’s obedience and rider’s competence. Succeeding through the tracks, the best in the field will head to Bordeaux, France, for the finals on the 1st and 2nd of February 2024.

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