Nicomen 2008 CDE, 21st Annual

For the information on the Nicomen CDE select from the items below

Nicomen CDE 2008 Prize List

Nicome CDE 2008 Entry Form

          Cool runnin's

Here I am driving Ken's Blossom in Cool Runnin's, this is a timed event were you run two barrel patterns that are given to you the day of the event. This event requires you to wear a helmet but not necessary to wear the lap apron. Galloping is allowed only while in barrel patterns, you must be back to a trot before traveling though the set of cones that mark the entrance and exit of each pattern. 

Cool Runnin's is the Marathon Obstacle section of Arena Driving Trails event.

 For those of you who might be wondering, KB is an off the track Standardbred, she is a wonderful pleasure horse and a pleasure to be around. There are many standardbred adoption agencies looking for good homes for these lovely horses, if interested go to www.greenerpastures.ca or just Google “standardbred adoption”

This is Mihake, we are just finnishing our run at our annual clinic.

          Dressage

Here I am driving Zingha in Dressage.

Driven Dressage is judged similarly to a ridden dressage test. The drivers are required to perform a set of movements which include changes of pace, circles, turns, and extensions. They are always judged individually in a dressage ring which is either 40 x 80 or 40 x 100 meters. Judges look for three distinct trots, smooth transitions, and accuracy. The test demonstrates the obedience, freedom, regularity of movement, impulsion, and correct position and training of the animals.

Dressage can be a class in a open show or is one phase of a Combined Driving Event along with cones and the marathon.

 

          Cones

Cones can be likened to the stadium jumping phase of eventing. The object is to drive through narrowly spaced pairs of cones cleanly within time allowed. Each cone has a ball placed on top, and any miscalculation will dislodge the ball, thus incurring a penalty. This phase tests the fitness, agility and obedience of the horse and the accuracy and skill of the driver.

Cones is one phase of a Combined Driving Event

          Cross-Country Marathon

Here is Ken and Mike Huber in a water hazard, this was in 1996 at Maple Ridge. A helmet is mandatory in this sport and galloping is allowed only in the hazards.

This phase of the CDE tests the fitness, stamina, and obedience of the horses and the judgment and capability of the driver. Advanced competitions can have 5 sections (A, B, C, D, E), which may include mandatory walks, trots, as well as a section which includes hazards. Other competitions may have 3 sections (A, B, E), all having a minimum/maximum time allowance. At the end of section B and D there are mandatory 10 minute halts with veterinary checks to ensure the horses are not unduly stressed and are fit enough to continue. Competitors can walk the course before the marathon phase and plan their route. They are given a map and course marker flags for guidance, but no horse is allowed on the course before the start. Drivers may choose any path through the obstacles, provided they drive through each gate in the correct alphabetical sequenceand with the red flag on the right and white on the left. The object is to complete each hazard in the shortest possible time with no penalties. Penalties include time, groom/driver dismounting, driver putting down whip, error of course, knocking down a collapsible element, and turning the vehicle over. The maximum alowed time in each hazard is 5 minutes, if over you will be eliminated from the event.

 Below are a few pictures of hazards that you might encounter at a CDE. These hazards were at the Caribou Trails CDE in 70 Mile House, the dice was a Ken Huber design built by Sean Quigley, a great hazard to drive. Join us at Caribou Trails CDE in the beginning of July.

Just go to www.huberswelshponyfarm.com to get the prize list and date for Caribou Trails CDE. 

This is the water hazard we encountered at Caribou Trails CDE, the water was much deeper at the time of the event, unfortunately most of the water had seeped out by the time we took this picture. Training level competitors are not required to tackle this hazard, training level also only have to complete A,B & C of the hazards. In training level there are no time penalties in the hazards, just the maximum of 5 minutes.

          Obstacles

Here is KB and myself again, in this class you must wear the correct outfit, hat or helmet, apron and jacket. We were just entering the L, it consists of 2 sets of poles place on the ground in a L shape with about 10 feet between each set, the objective is to drive through the sets making the 90 degree turn without hitting or going over the poles. Being a timed event you want to do this swiftly.

Pleasure shows often include cones or obstacle classes in which the driver is judged on the speed and accuracy while going through a set of cone markers set inches wider than the wheel width and topped with balls. The cones are set in a manner similar to a jumping course, with left and right turns, combinations, and sometimes obstacles such as bridges. The driver who completes the course with the fewest faults (balls knocked down) in the shortest time wins. There are variations on the obstacle class category with slightly different judging criteria. In Fault and Out, the driver is eliminated when the first ball is knocked off; in Double Jeopardy, one driver drives the course one direction; his passenger drives the course in reverse. In Gamblers Choice, there is a prescribed amount of time and the obstacles have a point value. The goal is to get through as many obstacles as possible within the time allotted.