2nd Annual Sweetheart Driving Trial

by Mark DiLeo

The 2nd annual Sweetheart Driving Trials (DT), held on February 15 & 16, 2025, at the Galway Downs Equestrian Center, was a huge success. Driving Trials consist of three phases, Dressage, a Cones Course and the Marathon or Cross-Country Course. The show is open to all breeds, and we had everything from Minis to Friesians compete.

This year, the event faced an unexpected challenge as rains, just days before the competition soaked the arenas, rendering them unsuitable for carriage use. This forced us to relocate the Dressage Court and Cones course out onto the Marathon course. Additionally, Saturday’s start time was pushed back by an hour to allow for the setup of the dressage court and final grooming.

Despite these challenges, the Galway crew was exceptional, ensuring the grounds were impeccable. The footing had dried out just enough to be compacted and moist but not wet, resulting in dust-free, firm footing that competitors loved.

Both competition days were blessed with beautiful weather, further enhancing the experience for all participants.

In our continuous effort to improve the show each year, we brought in a professional course designer this year. One competitor expressed their delight, saying, “We finally have a real Combined Driving show on the West Coast,” and “This marathon course is nicer than some of the shows back East.” Such feedback makes us proud as we strive to bring high-quality Combined Driving to Southern California, with Galway Downs being the ideal venue to achieve this goal.

If you are interested in discovering what Combined Driving is all about, there is no better way than to volunteer at one of our shows. It is easy work, no experience is needed, and it promises to be a fun day for all. Keep an eye out for our next show in February 2026. To learn more about Combined Driving in Southern California, visit the Whip’R Snapper Driving Society of Southern California website.