TerraNova Hosts Inaugural Combined Driving Competition
TerraNova Equestrian Center is set to host its inaugural combined driving competition this week, marking a significant milestone for the Myakka City, Florida venue. Renowned for hosting international-level equestrian events across various disciplines, TerraNova will now showcase the thrilling sport of combined driving. Like a triathlon for horses, this dynamic competition tests horse and driver teams across three challenging phases: dressage, marathon, and cone driving. With a diverse range of elite equine athletes and exciting competition, the Combined Driving at TerraNova event promises to be a thrilling experience for spectators and participants alike.
Hosting a combined driving competition has long been a goal of the Herrig family, founders of TerraNova. In 2021, months before their first-ever event took place at the venue, the family was introduced to the sport through a local contact. After learning more about how combined driving competitions work, it became apparent that the facility would be well-suited for the challenge. With its spacious arenas and masterfully designed cross-country course, the infrastructure already existed.
Molly Oakman, President of TerraNova Enterprises, was instrumental in turning these ideas into plans, then putting these plans into action. From the moment she visited TerraNova, she saw the potential for the facility to host the sport.
“On my very first visit to TerraNova, I started the conversation to host a combined driving competition in the future,” said Oakman. “The facility already had the necessary components to support the competitors and provide a spectator-friendly environment. We have been working with a team of experienced organizers and our course builder, Marc Johnson to specifically create an atmosphere to be competitive for the drivers, safe for the horses, and enjoyable for our guests.”
Video: What Is Combined Driving?
Video courtesy of the US Equestrian Learning Center
TerraNova Equestrian Center
Now in its fifth year of operation, TerraNova Equestrian Center has gained a reputation for its bi-annual staple three-day eventing competition, The Event at TerraNova, held each spring and fall. “Driving has the most similarities from an organizer’s standpoint to three-day eventing. The TerraNova team had already run several years of successful eventing competitions at the international level, so I felt confident that we could handle driving. The carriages are the biggest difference,” Oakman explained. “Learning how to accommodate the carriages into the facility to best support the competitors is the trickiest part. This is why I chose to hire an experienced organizer, Jennifer Matheson, because I was confident that she would best advise on how to operate the facility to support the competitors and for the safety of the horses.”
Jennifer Matheson, Competition Manager for Combined Driving at TerraNova, has been involved in the sport since 1995. She has worn many hats, from volunteer and navigator to competitor, official, and organizer, providing her with insight to the sport, recognizing the needs of both competitors and spectators.
“The layout of TerraNova will give spectators the opportunity to see our sport up close,” Matheson said. “We will have a wide range of equine combinations - from small single ponies to four-in-hand teams of horses. There will be two marathon obstacles adjacent to the VIP Pavilion. Two other obstacles will be visible from the Pavilion. This, with the live feed coverage, will provide spectators with non-stop excitement.”
For those watching combined driving for the first time, Oakman hopes the event will be both visually striking and educational. “I hope that they will enjoy the beauty of the horses and traditions that carriage driving has to offer. The sport has evolved to combine technical components such as the marathon (Saturday) and cones phase (Sunday) with the grace and precision of dressage (Thursday/Friday). We would like the local community to embrace the sport of driving and help TerraNova continue to support the growth of this exciting equestrian sport.
General Admission + VIP Brunch Information
Guests are welcome to attend and discover the competition each day. General admission is free, with food trucks on site offering breakfast and lunch. For a premium experience, tickets are available for the VIP Brunch on Saturday, January 25th, from 10:30am to 3:00pm. VIP guests will enjoy preferred parking, ringside seating with panoramic views of the marathon phase, and a gourmet brunch catered by Executive Chef Christopher Capstick, served from 11:00am to 3:00pm. The brunch menu will feature a selection of innovative dishes, including gluten-free and vegan options, with beer and wine included. In addition to the thrilling competition, guests can enjoy boutique shopping and the Tiny Town playground.