Easy Driving
The preparation toolkit for FEI Combined Driving competitors — cones split times, marathon penalty scoring, and printable briefing sheets, all in one place.
What Is FEI Combined Driving?
Combined Driving (also known as Combined Driving Trials or CAI events) is an FEI equestrian discipline in which a driver and one or more horses or ponies compete across three phases: dressage, marathon, and cones. Governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the sport tests precision, fitness, and technical skill across an entire competition day. Each phase contributes to the final score, with the lowest total penalty points deciding the winner.
The Three Phases
Dressage
The first phase, typically held on Friday, evaluates the harmony between driver and horse through a set test of movements performed in an arena. Judges assess collection, impulsion, submission, and the driver's accuracy and position.
Marathon
The cross-country phase, usually Saturday, sends drivers through a course that includes timed hazard obstacles — each with lettered gates (A, B, C) that must be navigated in sequence. Time faults, obstacle penalties, and navigational errors all add to the score.
Cones
The final phase on Sunday tests precision under fatigue. Drivers navigate between cone pairs — each topped with a ball — within the Time Allowed for their class. A knocked ball or time fault adds penalties. The carriage that completes the course most cleanly wins the phase.
Our Tools
Easy Cones
Walk the course, mark every gate, and calculate precise split times based on the FEI class speed for your competition level. Print a professional briefing sheet before you enter the arena.
Open Easy ConesEasy Marathon
Set up your marathon course, log obstacle times as competitors drive through, and let the app calculate time faults and penalties in real time. Printable roadmaps for drivers and officials.
Open Easy MarathonHow Easy Driving began
Three friends, two apps, one free toolkit — read the story behind the app for FEI Combined Driving.
Combined Driving Glossary
The essential terms every Combined Driving competitor and supporter should know.
- Combined Driving
- An FEI equestrian discipline in which a driver and one or more horses or ponies compete across three phases — dressage, marathon, and cones.
- CAI
- Concours Attelage International — the FEI designation for an international Combined Driving event, run over two or three days for FEI ranking points.
- Dressage
- The first phase: a set test of movements in an arena that scores the harmony, accuracy, and obedience of the turnout.
- Marathon
- The cross-country phase, driven in sections and containing timed hazard obstacles where fitness, strategy, and driving skill are tested.
- Cones
- The final phase: a precision test between ball-topped cone pairs, driven within the Time Allowed for the class.
- Penalty points
- The universal scoring unit of Combined Driving. Every phase converts to penalty points, and the lowest total across all three phases wins.
- Turnout
- The complete competing unit — driver, groom(s), horse(s) or pony(ies), harness, and carriage — presented and judged as a whole.
- FEI
- Fédération Equestre Internationale, the international governing body that writes the rules for Combined Driving and all Olympic equestrian sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CAI event in Combined Driving?
CAI stands for Concours Attelage International — the FEI designation for international Combined Driving events. A CAI event runs all three phases over two or three days and awards FEI ranking points. National and club competitions follow the same three-phase format but under national federation rules.
Do I need both the cones and marathon tools?
They are independent and you can use either on its own. If you compete in full CAI events, both tools together cover the two timed phases where preparation and live scoring matter most. The dressage phase does not require a calculator.
Is the app free to use?
Yes. Both Easy Cones and Easy Marathon are free to use with no subscription or credit card required. Create an account and start preparing for your next competition immediately.
How long does a Combined Driving competition last?
A full CAI event runs over two or three days, with one phase per day: dressage, then marathon, then cones. Smaller national and club competitions may compress all three phases into a single day. The three-phase format is the same regardless of level.
Which horses and ponies can compete in Combined Driving?
Combined Driving is open to both horses and ponies, competing as singles, pairs, or four-in-hand teams. Classes are split by horse or pony and by the number of animals, so a single-pony turnout and a four-in-hand horse team compete in separate classes at their own prescribed speeds.
How is the overall winner decided in Combined Driving?
Every phase is expressed in penalty points, which are added together across dressage, marathon, and cones. The turnout with the lowest combined total wins. Because the phases reward different strengths, a strong marathon can be undone by a fence-clipping cones round — which is why preparation for every phase matters.