Concours d'Attelage de Tradition
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What is the Concours d'Attelage de Tradition (CAT)?
A1. This competition is remarkably similar to the event that was formerly titled "Sporting Day of Traditional Driving". This is a three-phase competition - presentation, road drive, and cone driving. Penalty points are assigned for each phase of the competition, and the team with the lowest penalty points is declared the winner.
Q2. Who makes the rules for the Concours d'Attelage de Tradition?
A2. The Association Internationale d'Attelage de Tradition (AIAT) was formed in 2008 to establish the rules and scoring criteria for Concours d'Attelage de Tradition (CAT) competitions. The AIAT meets annually to review the rules and certify international judges and technical delegates. Baron Christian de Langlade is the current president of the AIAT. The Carriage Association of America is an AIAT member organization and has published the rules for the United States. CIAT Rules - USA.
Q3. Can you describe the three phases of the competition?
A3. The presentation phase of the competition is judged by a panel. The areas of judging include overall impression, horses and ponies, harness, vehicle, and grooms/passengers. Penalty points are assessed for arriving at the presentation phase late, for not holding a whip in the hand of the driver, and for horses or ponies wearing boots or wraps. Each competitor is given a score from each judge, and the scores are then averaged. Please refer to the Presentation Judging Sheet for details on the scoring.
The second phase of the competition is a road drive with Performance Challenges (PC) along the way - the challenges are listed here with descriptions for successful completion and penalties noted for otherwise.
The third phase of the competition is the cones-driving competition, where speed and precision are measured. There is a maximum of 20 gates on the course, and penalties are assigned for dislodging cones, driving incorrect patterns, and exceeding the allowed time.
Q4. What are the local modifications to the AIAT rules for the Villa Louis Carriage Classic?
A4. Local adaptations of the AIAT rules are allowed as long as the spirit of the competition is upheld. A few modifications will take place at the CAT held at the Villa Louis Carriage Classic. The panel of presentation judges will not be limited to two judges, and penalty points from the presentation phase will be averaged. The road drive may not be timed. Lastly, the cones phase will have all course markers set at 2 meters for all entries.
Q5. Can you please describe how the CAT is scored?
A5. A perfect score is zero penalty points. To obtain the perfect score, a turnout would get maximum marks in the presentation phase and incur no penalties in either the road drive (including the performance challenges) or in the cones driving phases. Placings for the competition are based upon a low-penalty basis, similar to how combined-driving in the United States is scored.
Q6. Are there websites that offer more information about this competition?
A6. The Association Internationale d'Attelage de Tradition posts the general rules for the event; similarly, the AIAT-GB (British) website has many of the rules in English. Lastly, the Carriage Association of America has information posted here.
Q1. What is the Concours d'Attelage de Tradition (CAT)?
A1. This competition is remarkably similar to the event that was formerly titled "Sporting Day of Traditional Driving". This is a three-phase competition - presentation, road drive, and cone driving. Penalty points are assigned for each phase of the competition, and the team with the lowest penalty points is declared the winner.
Q2. Who makes the rules for the Concours d'Attelage de Tradition?
A2. The Association Internationale d'Attelage de Tradition (AIAT) was formed in 2008 to establish the rules and scoring criteria for Concours d'Attelage de Tradition (CAT) competitions. The AIAT meets annually to review the rules and certify international judges and technical delegates. Baron Christian de Langlade is the current president of the AIAT. The Carriage Association of America is an AIAT member organization and has published the rules for the United States. CIAT Rules - USA.
Q3. Can you describe the three phases of the competition?
A3. The presentation phase of the competition is judged by a panel. The areas of judging include overall impression, horses and ponies, harness, vehicle, and grooms/passengers. Penalty points are assessed for arriving at the presentation phase late, for not holding a whip in the hand of the driver, and for horses or ponies wearing boots or wraps. Each competitor is given a score from each judge, and the scores are then averaged. Please refer to the Presentation Judging Sheet for details on the scoring.
The second phase of the competition is a road drive with Performance Challenges (PC) along the way - the challenges are listed here with descriptions for successful completion and penalties noted for otherwise.
The third phase of the competition is the cones-driving competition, where speed and precision are measured. There is a maximum of 20 gates on the course, and penalties are assigned for dislodging cones, driving incorrect patterns, and exceeding the allowed time.
Q4. What are the local modifications to the AIAT rules for the Villa Louis Carriage Classic?
A4. Local adaptations of the AIAT rules are allowed as long as the spirit of the competition is upheld. A few modifications will take place at the CAT held at the Villa Louis Carriage Classic. The panel of presentation judges will not be limited to two judges, and penalty points from the presentation phase will be averaged. The road drive may not be timed. Lastly, the cones phase will have all course markers set at 2 meters for all entries.
Q5. Can you please describe how the CAT is scored?
A5. A perfect score is zero penalty points. To obtain the perfect score, a turnout would get maximum marks in the presentation phase and incur no penalties in either the road drive (including the performance challenges) or in the cones driving phases. Placings for the competition are based upon a low-penalty basis, similar to how combined-driving in the United States is scored.
Q6. Are there websites that offer more information about this competition?
A6. The Association Internationale d'Attelage de Tradition posts the general rules for the event; similarly, the AIAT-GB (British) website has many of the rules in English. Lastly, the Carriage Association of America has information posted here.