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The 2024 Arizona Driving Trial Series
This page contains information on what our AZ Driving Trail entails, as well as specific information about 2024 scheduled events. Scroll down or use the links below to take you to a specific event.
ADT 1 and 2 are postponed to March, 2024 Click on event for more information & new closing date..
Two ADT events in the series must be attended with the same entry combination to qualify for a Year End Award.
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
NOTICE: Participants in ADT events (drivers and navigators) will be required to wear a safety vest in ADT Obstacles. (Exception for Training level -but still highly recommended.)
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 2024 ADT #1 & #2 AT Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds. Results now POSTED on 2024 Event Results Page
Event Date: Changed to ADT #1 Saturday, March 16, 2024 and ADT #2 Sunday, March 17 2024
2024 ADCS Membership is
required for entering.
Location:
Rodeo Park Event Center
1590 E. Lost Dutchman Blvd.
Aerial photo Get Directions General Park Rules Grounds Map (see files below ) Quick Link to Files
OFFICIALS
Dressage Judge for ADT #1: Vivian Creigh
ADT #2: Cynthia Ganem
Technical Delegate: Rita Self
Organizer: Peggy Jaeger
Waiver to be signed by all attending unless you signed on a competitor's Entry Form: General Waiver
Want to Volunteer? Contact Organizer
Dressage Tests for this event: ADS Test B at all levels. Presentation will not be scored.
Training Test B
Preliminary Test B
Intermediate Test B
Arena Size: Horses and Ponies will use a 40 X 80 meter arena (also a 4-up VSE multiple). VSE will use a 30 X 60 meter arena.
FACILITY FACTS
Rest rooms on site. No vendors. Lunch/water provided for volunteers and officials.
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.
Junior Driver Information: 10 and under drivers must have a knowledgeable adult horseman in the cart with them at all times, on the grounds and in the rings.
11-13 year olds must also have a knowledgeable adult horseman in the cart with them at all times, on the grounds and in the rings.
There is no exception at this venue for single VSE with a capable driver in dressage and cones, as those rings are not fenced in.
For 14-18 year olds, the requirement for an adult horseman in the cart is at the organizer‘s discretion, and will be decided on an
individual basis after consulting with the parent or trainer of the entry and knowledge of the equine. Juniors this age need to ask at
the competition (see TD) if they require an adult with them.
Note: Single VSE and Small Ponies do not require a navigator in obstacles (hazards), but this may not apply to all junior drivers over
13 (Organizer’s discretion). Ask the TD at the event to see if your over 13 Jr. driving a VSE needs a navigator.
FILES FOR ADT #1& #2: (added as available - course maps 1 week prior)
(On a smart phone, files may appear on the bottom of the page, not in this section.)
Safety Check Sheet: One needed each day. Turn in at your Safety Check which is prior to your dressage time.
Cones Course pdf Since there are no Intermediates competing, the Letter E gate, even though shown on the diagrams, will not be used. Obstacle 1 Obstacle 2 Obstacle 3 Obstacle 4 Grounds for 2024
Just some reminders about downloads/printing copies. The browser you use, and the device, affects how files appear and the quality. With some, when you click on the file link, 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 #3 & #4 OF THE 2024 SERIES
BLACK CANYON CITY 2023 ADT #3 and #4 Results now POSTED on 2024 Event Results Page
Event Dates: March 2-3, 2024 ADCS – ADT Rules/Info
Officials:
Dressage Judge: Saturday & Sunday - Ashley Bowers, USAWE recognized coach, licensed Technical Delegate, lifetime achievement medalist, ridden dressage competitor.
Cones Judge and Technical Delegate (TD): Wayne Kramer
Organizer: Tiak Bialik
Entry Secretary: Julie Mitchell
Location:
Deep Canyon Ranch
18181 E Deep Canyon Trail
Black Canyon City, AZ 85324. Driving Directions
Entry Forms: Entry is now closed.
Deadline for Entry receipt: February 21, 2024
Refund Policy as previously stated on the Entry Form: This Venue has several fees for use of the facility that are higher than we usually pay at some other venues. Because of this, if you scratch after Close of Entries, it is at the discretion of the organizer if fees may be refunded and if they are, it would be minus $20 and any online processing fees associated with the entry. Only exception would be if we have a waiting list to fill your spot, or you find someone. "No Shows" day of the event will receive no refund. Cancelation before the close of entries, will get a full refund less the online processing fees if you paid Online.
Waiver to be signed by all attending unless you signed on a competitor's Entry Form: General Waiver
Stabling: 14 overnight stalls will be available first come, first served. Stall price includes shavings. 1 Night, $30; 2 nights, $40.
You may bring panels and set up your own stall, no added cost if paying camping fee.
If not using a permanent stall or not camping, there is a $10 per day show from trailer fee per horse trailer for those trailering in each day. Entries sharing a trailer pay this fee only once.
Camping: Dry camping only. No electrical or water. $20 one night, $30 for two nights.
Dressage Tests for this event are:
Training Level: ADS Test B; Preliminary Level: ADS Test B; Intermediate Level: ADS Test B
FILES FOR THIS EVENT: 2024 ADT 3 & ADT 4 at BCC (If underlined, file is available.)
Safety Check Sheet: One needed each day. Turn in at your Safety Check which is prior to your dressage time.
Course Maps will be posted one week prior.
Obstacle Maps.pdf (one document with 4 pages, one obstacle per page)
Information for 2024 ADT #5 At Atonna's in Paulden
Event Date: September 28, 2024 Must have 18 entries for event to take place.
Location: Paulden, Az Directions will be sent to all competitors.
Cones Judge:
Technical Delegate (TD):
Organizer: Peter Atonna
Entry Form: Check back in July.