Horse driving is one the oldest equestrian sports, going back to the ancient times. During Greek Olympic Games, as well as Roman a bit later, cart racing was one of the most attractive events. It was always held at the very end of the day, crowning the struggles and fights of competitors.
The aim of presently played driving competitions is to verify functional values, endurance, bravery, temperament and character of horses. These competitions are also to cultivate driving traditions as a crucial element of national culture.
First driving competitions were held in 1969 in Kwidzyń, where their character was one of propaganda and trade and where competitions consisted of two main elements, practical approach and driving dexterity. It was a crucial moment in the history of driving sports in Poland. Until then, Polish teams took successfully part in foreign competitions during serious sport events. In the year 1969 Driving Section in Polish Equestrian Federation was created and later on it was changed into a Driving Committee. The first president was Czesław Matławski, a man highly distinguished for Polish driving. A year before, during the Congress of International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in Brussels, following Polish proposal a Driving Section of FEI was created. In 1969 the first regulations for carriage driving competitions were created. A Polish representative consultant was Czesław Matławski. Since that time the regulations evolved. In the following years Marek Zaleski has already twice took part in Driving Committee of FEI as well as took active part in improving following versions of regulations. At present the version in law is No.9 of 1.01.2005.
Horse driving competitions consist of three trials:
Competition A - Dressage
The aim of this phase is evaluation of relaxation and rhythm and regularity of movement, harmony, impulsion and the correct collection of the horses in movement. Also the choice of horses is evaluated, their conditions and fitting the harness. Also the driver is being evaluated, his or her precision and driving art. The clothing of a competitors as well as his groom must be suitable for the style of the cart and used harness. The competitor is obliged to wear a lap rug, a headgear, gloves and a whip in hand. A groom must have a headgear and gloves. A competition is held in the square course of 100 to 40 meters. The team executes figures in walk, trot and gallop depending on a program. The Test and figures are executed by heart. Five or three referees evaluate this trial. The coach can be of free choice, however the regulation precise the wheelbase for single horse coaches as 138 cm. Up to the year 1987 the trial A consisted of two parts. Presentation of a coach and dressage were performed separately.
Competition B – Marathon
The aim of this phase is evaluation of training and endurance of horses, pace and driving abilities of a driver. The clothing is free, however the entire look of the clothing and a coach should be neat and aesthetical. Since 2007 both the drivers and grooms are obliged to wear headgear, so called helmets. For many years a jury referee was taking part riding on the marathon coach as an observer. The length of marathon course was no longer than 27 km, at present it cannot be longer than 17 km. Earlier the phase consisted of five parts, nowadays only of three. A part A is a distance up to 7 km that is driven in free walk. A part D is 1000 m long and it is a compulsory ridden at w walk. A part E is maximum 9 km long and generally ridden at free walk, in which however there are 8 obstacles. Obstacles should be naturally composed into natural environment and to be horse friendly. At obstacles the walk is free, but the elements evaluated are speed, precision and correctness of passing an obstacle. In the years 1973/74 first marathon coaches were introduced, they differed from phase A or C. These coaches have parameters regulated by rules. For single horses a coach weighs min. 150 kg and a wheelbase is 125 cm long.
Competition C – Obstacle Driving
The aim of this phase is evaluation of fitness, obedience, suppleness and agility of horses, as well as driving abilities of a competitor. This phase is held on a show ring with maximum 20 obstacles of strictly précised dimensions. A coach in this phase is identical to the one in the phase A. In competitions of Championship rank the width of obstacles is 20 cm larger than wheelbase. Horses in championship competition must be minimum 6 years old, and a driver must be at least 16 years old with a groom of at least 18.
Despite the fact, that Polish teams were taking part in World and European Championships, first Polish National Championship was held only but in 1979 in Sieraków, in a category of four-in-hand. Up to 1983 both European and World Championships were held only in four-in-hand category. In 1983 in Montemaggiore ITA the first multiple horse coach European Championship was held. First Polish Championship in pairs was held in 1995 in Poznan. But a single horse Championship needed to wait for a long time to be held. In the year 1988 during World Championship in Ebbs in Austria there were 62 drivers from 21 countries. Simultaneously in Poland first national championship was held in 1988 in Racota.
Talking about history of Polish coaches, we cannot forget the most distinguished drivers and horses in this sport. The forerunner on world hippodromes in 1962 was Zygmunt Szymoniak of SO Gniezno with his four chestnut horses of Wielkopolska breed, which until 1985 was successfully taking part in the largest events. In 1967 Zygmunt Waliszewski of SO Starogard Gdański started in competitions. He continued till 1988, was the Champion of Poland ten times in four-in-hand, he individually won 2 bronze medals and 7 team medals in World and European Championship. Another marvelous driver was Władysław Adamczak of SO Książ, who along with his four of Silesians in the years 1970-1984 was taking numerous medal positions. Also the successful fours were: Tadeusz Czermiński of SK Rzeczna and SO Sieraków in the years 1973-1985, Andrzej Szewczyk of SK Liski in the years 1978-1988, Antoni Musiał of SO Sieraków in the years 1969-1982, Kazimierz Andrzejewski of SO Bogusławice, who started as the latest in 1980, nevertheless who finished as the latest as well though in 1994. In the moment when multiple horses driving entered the equestrian history a new generation of drivers was born, those who had a hard way to win over in with the four-in-hands. A marvelous streak of winnings in the history of driving is the share of such competitors as: Roman Kusz of SO Bogusławice, who started his career by winning Polish Championship in 1985. His winnings include lots of medals in Polish Championships, individual and team medals in the World Championships as well. Quite equal to him is Zbigniew Brzoskowski of SO Łobez, who has also an impressive collection of medals. The only individual World Vice Champion was Rajmund Wodkowski of SO Sieraków. Another drivers numerously winning and collecting medals were: Czesław Konieczny of SO Książ, Marek Pawelec of SO Białka, Jacek Kozłowski of SO Bogusławice, at present KJ Garbówek, Ireneusz Kozłowski of SJ Jagodne, Adrian Kostrzewa of SJ Sielanka Warka, Waldemar Kaczmarek of SJ Bielin and Przemysław Sroka of KJ Glinkowski.
In 1988 first single horse carriages began to drive. Many drivers drive both pairs and singles. The most successful of all up to now were: unfortunately dead Wiktor Pietrowski of KJ Gajewniki, Agnieszka Chwastek of KJ Dworzysko, Przemysław Zabłocki of KJ Wytomyśl, Paweł Andrzejewski of SO Bogusławie, Bartłomiej Kwiatek of SO Książ, Maciej Forecki of SK Pępowo, and Weronika Kwiatek of KJ Atrium Swarzędz.
In the history of driving Polish were four times the best in the world rank: Zygmunt Waliszewski in four-in-hands in 1985, in multiple horses Roman Kusz in the years 1988 and 1990, in singles Bartłomiej Kwiatek in 2007. Second places had Zbigniew Brzoskowski in 1988 and Roman Kusz in 1991 in multiples. We were three times successful in world rank: in 1985 a team of four-in-hand, in the years 1988 and 1992 a team of multiples. Poland was an organizer of World Championship in multiple horses driving in 1995 in Poznan and 2007 in Warka. In the year 2008 Poland will be an organizer of World Championship in single driving in Jarantow.
The World Single Driving Championship was held four times up to now: in 1998 in Ebbs AUT. There were 62 coaches of 21 countries. The winner was Arja Mikkonen from Finland, before Cecilia Quanstrom of Sweden and Rudolph Pirhofer of Austria. As a team the winner were Swedish before USA and Holland. Polish team represented: Jacek Kozłowski (14), Wiktor Pietrowski (30) and Andrzej Szymczyk (46), and as a team they took 8 position. The technical Delegate of FEI was Marek Zaleski.
In 2000 the Championship in Gladstone, USA did not take place because of horses' diseases.
In 2002 in Conty, FRA there were 54 drivers of 17 countries. The winner was Stephen Chouzenoux, France before Maria Kahre, Sweden and Fred Merriam of the USA. In teams, first was Sweden before Finland and Austria. Polish team was represented by: Agnieszka Chwastek (49), Paweł Andrzejewski (29) and Przemysław Zabłocki (10), and it took 4th position as a team. A Ground Jury, Main Referee of Championship was Marek Zaleski.
In 2004 in Astorp, SWE there were 64 drivers of 18 countries. The winner was Maria Karhle, Sweden before Jan van den Broek, Holland and Ben Simonsen, Finland. In teams, first was Sweden before Finland and Poland. Polish team was represented by: Agnieszka Chwastek (49), Wiktor Pietrowski (13) and Przemysław Zabłocki (23).
In 2006 in Patroni del Vivaro, ITA there were 73 drivers of 22 countries. It was the first time when individual drivers were allowed to take part. The winner was Paul Sidwell, Great Britain before Cecil Quanstrom, Sweden and Dieter Lauterbach, Germany. In teams, first was England before Sweden and Germany. Polish team was represented by: Przemysła Sroka (27), Adrian Kostrzewa (37) Bartłomiej Kwiatek (only in a team) and individually Weronika Kwiatek (elim. of the Marathon). Poland was on 11th position.
In 2008 The World Championship will be held in Jarantow. A three-person team and six individual drivers will represent Poland, as a host.
