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The 2022 Arizona Driving Trial Series
This page contains information on what our AZ Driving Trail entails, as well as specific information about 2022 scheduled events. Scroll down or use the links below to take you to a specific event.
WHAT IS AN ADT?
Arizona Driving Trial
ADT stands for Arena Driving Trial, but for ADCS, it stands for Arizona Driving Trial as we have adapted some of the ADS rules to better serve us. This is usually an informal one day competition with most of the elements of a 3 day combined driving event (CDE). The Judge and TD are sometimes more advanced drivers, rather than rated officials. The idea is to keep costs down, while providing opportunities for learning and practice for our membership.
A dressage test is driven, a cones course is negotiated, and finally, several hazards or obstacles complete the event. There is no full fledged marathon section. The "in the obstacle" times count for all levels, except Green Drivers at Training Level. There are usually fewer hazards/obstacles compared to a CDE. If set in an arena, there may only be two obstacles, driven twice. If at a site with permanent obstacles, usually only four are used.
The ADCS usually holds a series of six ADT competitions each year. They are at various locations throughout the state. The club tracks points earned based on the results of each individual ADT, and awards Year End Awards in each class, through 6th place. Club members must compete with the same equine, at the same level, in two ADT events to be eligible for a year end award. Up to four placings will be used in the point totals – fewer if fewer are attended.
An awards banquet is held after the final ADT of the series. Usually, it is held in conjunction with the yearly Christmas Party and General Meeting. See the CLUB CALENDAR in the Menu for any upcoming ADT events. The event information page will have the Entry Form and event particulars approximately one month prior; one week prior, the Hazard and Cones maps are posted for download.
For the most recent copy of our ADT rules, classes offered, and year end points> ADCS – ADT Rules
WHAT IS DRIVEN DRESSAGE
DRIVEN DRESSAGE - Part 1 of an ADT
ADS (the American Driving Society) as well as FEI (International Equestrian Federaton) have designed a series of tests for each level of driver. Tests are driven in a specified size arena that is usually 40 X 80 or 40 X 100 meters. Sometimes a smaller size is used for very small equine (VSE-39 inches and less). ADCS commonly uses a 30 X 60 meter arena for VSE.
Tests include an enter down centerline at the trot, halt and salute the judge, trot and walk circles of various sizes in both directions at particular spots in the arena, working trot and lengthened trot down sidelines or across the diagonal, and a final halt and salute. The exact pattern and order of elements will change with each test and depending on what level the test is. Some Intermediate and FEI level tests include a canter.
Examples of Driven Dressage tests can be found at the ADS website. (a link to dressage tests is in the footer)
In addition to Dressage at an ADT, ADCS offers judged dressage tests as part of our Pleasure Show, and has at times offered Dressage only competitions.
WHAT IS A CONES COURSE?
CONES COURSE - Part 2 of an ADT
A Cones Course is a really fun part of a combined driving event. Course length ranges from 500 to 800 meters, depending on the area available for setting up the course. A course may contain up to 20 elements, the most common of which is a set of cones with a ball set atop each cone. Each element is numbered, with a red number on the right of the desired direction of travel, and a white number on the left side. The numbers indicate the order in which each of the obstacles is to be driven.
After the whistle sounds, the driver passes through the start gate (in the correct direction) and proceeds to drive through the numbered obstacles in the correct direction and order, then passes through the out gate. Time on course is taken. Depending on the level of the driver and the size of the equine, there is a specified allowed time for each entry. If the time on course is within the allowed time, no time penalties are given. If a driver is over the allowed time, then time penalties are figured at .5 penalties for for each second over the allowed time. In addition, one or both balls down at an obstacle adds 3 penalties to the score.
Each entry has the track width of their wheels measured. Then depending on the level and horse size, a value is added to that track width, and the course is adjusted to that value; i.e., the distance between the cones making up each obstacle is adjusted to the setting for that driver. This way, drivers in the same class with different sized carriages, all have the same amount of clearance in an obstacle for their vehicle.
In addition to cones driving at an ADT, ADCS offers various cones competitions as a part of our Pleasure Show.
VIEW A SAMPLE CONES COURSE
Monica Phillips and Miss America
driving a cones course.
WHAT ARE OBSTACLES/ HAZARDS?
OBSTACLES - Part 3 of an ADT
Obstacles is the preferred term, but this part of an ADT is also referred to as "hazards." In a CDE, the obstacles are the last portion of the Marathon Course. In an ADT, this is the only portion of the marathon that is used.
An Obstacle is comprised of a series of “gates” that are set up in a defined area that may have natural elements like trees, or man made fences, upright poles, barrels, barriers made from other objects, and so forth. The gates are lettered A through E. A red letter goes on the right side of a gate, and a white letter on the left side, to show the required direction of travel (red must be on the right to pass through a gate in the correct direction), and to define the sides of the “gate.”
The level of the competitor determines which of the gates must be negotiated correctly. Training Level is required to do A, B, and C, for instance. There is also an “In” and an “Out” and time is taken in the obstacle as the horse nose breaks the “In” gate, and until the nose passes the “Out” gate. For the time to count, all required gates must be taken in the correct order (A, then B, then C) and in the correct direction. Gates become “dead” after they are driven correctly, and may consequently be redriven in any direction to get to the next required gate. Corrections of course may be made, but add penalty points to the score. Usually, an ADT uses four Obstacles, or may use two and drive them twice.
The elasped time in all Obstacles is converted to penalty points by multiplying the time by .25. Penalties in Obstacles are added to the scores for the other parts of an ADT to determine a final penalty score. Should an Obstacle be driven incorrectly (a gate is missed or driven in the wrong direction-and no correction is made) the competitor is eliminated and they do not place in the competition.
Here is an Obstacle using posts and rails sections to make the "gates."
INFORMATION FOR 2022 ADT #1 & #2 AT Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds. RESULTS
Event Date: ADT #1 Saturday, February 12, 2022 and ADT #2 Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022
(Start Time TBD, will be either 8:30 or 9:00 am both days.)
Location:
Rodeo Park Event Center
1590 E. Lost Dutchman Blvd.
Aerial photo Get Directions Park Rules Grounds Map (from 2021) Quick Link to Files MAPS NOW POSTED!
Results will be posted on the 2022 Results page when available. We are breaking in a new scorekeeper and what to make sure everything is correct before posting final scores and placings.
Entry Forms: Mail in Entry Form. Online entry/pay form. Note: Online entry incurs transaction fees.
Entry is Closed.
Link to Release/Waiver Form for Volunteers, navigators, or anyone in a competitor's party who DID NOT sign the waiver on the entry form.
OFFICIALS
Dressage Judge for ADT #1: Vivian Creigh, Tucson
Dressage Judge for ADT #2: Lois Whittington
Cones Judge: Lyle Brown
Technical Delegate: Rita Self
Organizer: Peggy Jaeger-email with any questions
Dressage Tests for this event: New ADS tests - Training B Directives, Training B Diagram; Preliminary B Directives, Preliminary B Diagrm; Intermediate B Directices, Intermediate B Diagram. These are the regular tests, not the AT tests. Presentation will not be judged. Leave the arena at a Trot.
Horses and Ponies will use a 40 X 80 meter arena. VSE will use a 30 X 60 meter arena. Can be downloaded from the American Driving Society website as well, and if you are an ADS member, you can download the diagram with the view from A. Those above are the view from C.
FACILITY FACTS
Rest rooms on site. No vendors. Lunch/water provided for volunteers.
Dressage, Cones and Obstacles do not have separate fencing around them, but entire event area is fenced. Gate to main parking area is left open. Parking area is a large area and rigs should keep extra distance between them due to Covid.
Overnighting
Stock pens available for approximately 20 horses to overnight on Friday and Saturday. No guarantee of day use only pens available. Cost per night is $5 per pen. No covers on pens.
RV Overnighting on site is available at no charge. Dry camping only. No electrical (only exception is for medical reasons and could be a charge) or hookups available.
FILES FOR ADT #1& #2: (added as available)
(On a smart phone, files may appear on the bottom of the page, not in this section.)
Added s available.
Safety Check Sheet: One needed each day. Turn in at your Safety Check which is prior to your dressage time.
Cones Course pdf Obstacle 1 Obstacle 2 Obstacle 3 Obstacle 4 Updated Grounds for 2022
ADT #3 & #4 OF THE 2022 SERIES
BLACK CANYON CITY 2022 ADT #3 and #4 RESULTS
Event Dates: March 19 and March 20, 2022.
Officials: Saturday and Sunday Dressage Judge: Cynthia Ganem.
Cones Judge, Peggy Jaeger
Organizer: Rita Self
Location:
Deep Canyon Ranch
18181 E Deep Canyon Trail
Black Canyon City, AZ 85324. Driving Directions
Dressage Tests for this event:
Training Level: AT Training A Directives, AT Training A Diagram
Preliminary Level: AT Preliminary A Directives, AT Preliminary Diagram
Intermediate Level: Intermediate Test B Directives, Intermediate Test B Diagram
FILES FOR THIS EVENT: Posted as available, maps posted one week prior.
Safety Check Sheet: One needed each day. Turn in at your Safety Check which is prior to your dressage time.
Obstacle Maps.pdf - 1 obstacle per page/ 4 pages, prints in landscape orientation
Cones Course - pdf file - prints in portrait orientation
Information for 2022 ADT #5 & #6 At Atonna's in Paulden
2022 ADT #5 and #6 At Atonna's in Paulden. Sat. Event was canceled due to lack of entries. Sunday ADT did happen in spite of low entries. See the Results HERE.
Link to Online Liability Release Waiver for volunteers or if you need to sign one for this event (anyone coming who did not sign the waiver on an entry's Entry Form).
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25, 2022
Entry Form: Please note that only mailed entries are possible for this event this time around. Download the pdf form here. Entry must be RECEIVED by Sept. 16th. If waiting until the last minute to enter, you need to mail your entry 4-5 days prior to the receipt deadline!
Location: Atonna's in Paulden. Directions will be emailed to all participants.
Dressage Judge: Lois Whittington
Technical Delegate: Wayne Kramer
Overnighting on site: Limited number of stalls available first come. $10 per night. Dry camping welcome at no charge..
Lunches: Lunches available one or both days @$12 per lunch. May be ordered on the entry form.
Dressage Tests: Regular tests: Training B, Preliminary B, Intermediate A
Links to copies of the tests: Training B Directives, Training B Diagram; Preliminary B Directives, Preliminary B Diagram; Intermediate A Directives, Intermediate A Diagram. NOTE: All dressage tests for all equine sizes will be in a 40 X 80 meter arena.
Notes: Safety vest will be required in obstacles for both driver and navigator in Preliminary and above levels. Highly recommended as well for Training level, but waived this year so those just trying an ADT for the first time can do so before investing in a vest.Please renew your 2022 Membership before this event. Please review ADT Rules as well.
These diagrams are from the Judge's view at C. ADS members can download diagrams with the view from A at the ADS website.
Movement 6 in both the training test and the preliminary test is X 2; movement 9 is X 2 in the intermediate test. Presentation is not judged at our ADT events. As the collectives are no longer shown on the test directives or diagrams, here is a reminder of what the judge will also be scoring:
GAITS: Freedom and regularity. If team or pair: maintenance of even pace and equality of work.
IMPULSION: Desire to move forward. Elasticity of steps. Relaxation of back. Engagement of hindquarters.
SUBMISSION: Acceptance of the bit. Correctness in lateral bend. Attention and confidence. Calmness, lightness and ease of movements.
DRIVER: Use of aids, handling of reins, whip and voice. Driver’s position.
Cones Map and Obstacle Diagrams (added as available, usually 1 week prior)
Course Maps for this Event-Cones and Obstacles
Safety Check Sheet: One needed each day. Turn in at your Safety Check which is prior to your dressage time.
Just some reminders about downloads/printing copies. The browser you use, and the device, affects how these files appear and the quality. With some, when you click on the file, only a screen view will appear, which may not be the best quality. Better quality results from actually downloading the file to your computer before printing. Again, the browser may determine how you get the file to your computer. Some have a small window with a download icon that will appear if you hover over the bottom of the screen view with your cursor. Others require going to the FILE menu at the top of your computer screen and using the "export as pdf" under that drop down menu. Some browsers may download the file to your computer just by clicking on the file and to view the file you will have to open it on your computer. This requires knowing the destination of your downloads on your computer, which can usually be set through your browser's preferences.
ADT #7 & #8 OF THE 2022 SERIES
BLACK CANYON CITY 2022 ADT #7 and #8
Event Dates: Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, 2022.
Link to Online Liability Release Waiver for volunteers or if you need to sign one for this event (anyone coming who did not sign the waiver on an entry's Entry Form).
Location:
Deep Canyon Ranch
18181 E Deep Canyon Trail
Black Canyon City, AZ 85324. Facebook: Deep Canyon Ranch
Officials:
Sat. Judge: Julie Mitchell
Sun. Judge: Cynthia Ganem
Cones Judge: Peggy Jaeger
Organizer and TD: Rita Self
Scorer: Jessica Self
Entry: Entry deadline (to be received) will be Oct. 5. May enter online or by mail. We will need at least 21 entries for these events to happen.
Mail-in Entry Form.pdf Online Entry/Pay Form (extra fees apply)
Other Information:
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There is the possibility that a food truck may be on site during the events. More info later.
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19 stalls are available for overnighters. See entry for all fees.
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Day fee applies to anyone showing from their trailer and not renting a stall, or camping.
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Camping fee applies to anyone dry camping.
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Notes: Safety vest will be required in obstacles for both driver and navigator in Preliminary and above levels. Highly recommended as well for Training level, but waived this year so those just trying an ADT for the first time can do so before investing in a vest.Please renew your 2022 Membership before this event. Please review ADT Rules as well.
Dressage Tests for this event: The Arena Trial tests will be used. Presentation will not be scored, and we ask that you leave the arena at a TROT, not a WALK, so we save time. NOTE: All dressage tests for all equine sizes will be in an approximate 40 X 80 meter arena.
Training Level: AT Training B Written Directives, AT Training B Diagram
Preliminary Level: AT Preliminary B Written Directives, AT Preliminary B Diagram
Intermediate Level: AT Intermediate B Written Directives, AT Intermediate B Diagram
FILES FOR THIS EVENT: (added as available)
Safety Check Sheet: One needed each day. Turn in at your Safety Check which is prior to your dressage time.
Cones and obstacle maps posted 1 week prior.