The Achenbach-system is still the foundation for German and European driving instruction. It has a training scale that is somewhat similar to the training scale for riding horses. The goal is to have a horse that has been trained in these steps: Suppleness, collection, gymnastics and obedience.
In the driving sport, there are dressage competitions, obstacle driving, and cross country- also known as a marathon- competitions. The competitions can be judged either separately or together which results in a combined evaluation. The winner is the team who has the best results in all three disciplines. In the classic competition, there are also categories that separate the carriages into single, pair, and four- in- hand carriages. What also differs from riding competitions, is that there is the same difficulty and requirement level for horses and ponies when being presented in a driving competition.
In dressage, the focus lies on the gymnastics of the horse and the level of training that has been reached so far. It is very similar to dressage riding because the horse and driver have to perform a series of movements that include different figures and transitions.
In obstacle driving, on the other hand, the horse has to show swiftness, agility, obedience, and suppleness in order to accomplish the obstacle course. The course has to be finished in a set time and the obstacles are not to be touched. If the horse refuses to go past an obstacle or if the time is exceeded, points will be removed from the maximum number.
But the centerpiece of every driving competition is the cross country competition or marathon that enthralls with its spectacular obstacles that are either natural or artificial and include tight curves, bridges, and stream courses.
Then there is traditional driving which is very popular among the audience. This event is supposed to reminisce about the blooming period of driving that was about 1900. In this category, the handler and horse are presented before the jury, followed by an obstacle course with different tasks. Afterward, they often drive into the forest or field.