This press release (in italics below) was posted on www.hoefnet.com today …
The Aachen organizers say they’re making this change to make the sport “more attractive” [to spectators]. Personally, I wonder whether this change is in the spectators’ best interests. I can see that television producers would embrace (probably even requested) the change. But, really, if you’re a spectator at the event, how exciting will it be to simply hear the winners announced after the marathon … rather than watching a tense, tight cones competition where everything hangs in the balance?
Let us know what you think …
There will be a major change in the four-in-hand driving program at the CHIO in Aachen from 9th to 18th July 2010. The spectacular Wohnwelt-Pallen marathon will be the last and decisive competition of the combined driving individual and nations’ competition.
The four-in-hand drivers will drive their regular dressage test on Thursday, followed by the obstacle driving competition on Friday. The marathon will take place on Saturday, in which the drivers will start in the reverse order of the standings after dressage and cones. The best driver will start last.
On Sunday there will be a compulsory cones competition which does not count for the combined competition. The CAIO Aachen will remain a World Cup Qualifier with this changed format.
The organising committee has thoroughly discussed this experiment with the FEI Driving Committee to try to make the driving sport more attractive. Especially the television has pushed this new format because now the winner of the overall competition can be announced immediately after the finish of the marathon.
The Slower Road 
January 27, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Were I around at the origin of the Combined Driving rules, I would not be surprised to fine a certain paralel in purpose between Stadium Jumping (3 Day) and Driving cones. Granted there may be a substitution prior to the cones but this in itself does not take from the assumed purpose.
Is not the third day (cones) to be an indication of not only the whip’s expertise but also a display of the team’s continued suppleness, stamina and willing response to the whip’s demands?
The rule change referred to would negate the last three items above.
January 27, 2010 at 5:39 pm
The proposed format is the same one used by local lower-level CDE’s to save time when scheduling a two day event. It is handy at those levels as you can pack up everything and be on your way after the marathon but the downside is that there is no excitement left to determine the winner. It goes against the whole point of eventing which is to show the dressage training and performance on one day, the athletic performance showing endurance and the third and final phase of the cones that demonstrates the fitness and suppleness of the horses following the first two days. Anything less than this diminishes the sport at the international level and completely erradicates the nail-biting finish of a closely run cones course show-cased in the proper order. Say no to the Aachen proposal now!
January 28, 2010 at 1:16 am
I agree with Pat K. The whole point of cones, as in CT’s stadium jumping, is to show that the horse is sound and fit enough, and has had good enough care, to go out and perform after the strenuous marathon day. At the international level, they may find that the horses are just a little too fresh to do their best in cones on the second day. I also agree that it is not in the best interests of spectators–who would without doubt prefer to see the winner hailed after watching each and every driver have their few minutes of fast, exciting, sometimes heartbreaking precision driving. No one can see all of every competitor’s marathon round, but they can see all of every cones round, and cheer the winners.
January 28, 2010 at 12:24 pm
This change in format was tried by the Fair Hill CDE for a year or two to accommodate the
ridden eventing entries. It was not popular then with most of the drivers, and it does change the inherent test of the sport in the traditional order of dressage, marathon then cones.