The SCDA Ltd is keen to attract and encourage new people to drive at One-Day Events, and to help you understand the sport. We have therefore tried to explain, over the following pages, the structure of the sport in Scotland today.

The rules for new competitors are designed to ensure safety within our sport, and to guide you along the most suitable path to your first full event. If unsure of anything, don't hesitate to ask for help.

FEI Carriage Driving Structure in Scotland

1. Basic Training

At the Basic Training level, the British Driving Society (B.D.S.) already has a schedule of basic training in places all over Scotland and focuses on producing safe, knowledgeable drivers. It backs this up with a series of well-established proficiency tests.

The Scottish Carriage Driving Association Ltd (SCDA Ltd) will encourage and instruct all those drivers wanting to try Eventing and guide them to Grassroots One-Day Events.

2. Grassroots Events

Grassroots Events are the many small Events run in all areas which are not Scottish Points Qualifiers. They are the ideal place for aspiring eventers to start. Often the atmosphere is a little less competitive, giving the new driver a chance to seek help and advice when necessary, but nevertheless get a real taste of what is required in the competition. A basic level of driving competence is required for safety (see rules).

3. Scottish Points League Events

Scottish Points League Events are Events organised around Scotland run under the auspices of the SCDA Ltd. They qualify for points in the Scottish Points League. All, apart from St. Fort which does not have a Newcomers class, have the following Classes:

Club Novice
Small Pony
Single Pony
Single Horse
Pairs
Multiples
Juniors

A Club Novice Class is designed to encourage new drivers to take part in One-Day Events. The marathon is often shorter than in the other classes, and in some cases pneumatic tyres are allowed. To enter a Club Novice Class for the first time, the driver must have complied with the entry qualifications for "First Time Drivers" as set out below.

To be eligible to enter the Club Novice Class a Driver may not have competed at Club Novice for more than two seasons (which must run consecutively) (excluding the qualifying outings for first time drivers).

If, for lack of fitness, or to bring on a young pony, an experienced driver wants to enter this classes, then he/she must do so H.C., and at the discretion of the organiser.

Both Grassroots Events and Scottish points League Events are run in principle under National FEI Rules, which in some areas have been adapted for Club Level Competitions.

4. National Events

National Events are run under National FEI rules and are administered by the British Horse Driving Trials Association Ltd (BHDTA Ltd) of which competitors have to be full members before being allowed to enter National Events.

N.B. BHDTA membership gives any driver full Third Party Liability insurance cover for horse related accidents. There is also Associate membership available, which also gives full Third Party Liability insurance cover to Club Level Drivers, as well as newsletters and information about driving If you wish to join the BHDTA please do so through the SCDA on the form available from the secretary or the web site as SCDA receives £20 for each new BHDTA member that joins in this way.