Our columnist reflects on the sport’s history and the modernization that will be showcased at the upcoming World Equestrian Games.

An advanced four-in-hand competitor contacted a show secretary and asked if the competition would allow him to enter but not do Section A (Section A is approximately 5km of any pace) of the marathon. His reason was that the track was “too rough.”

Our columnist worries that the time and money required to drive, especially at the advanced level, has jeopardized the stability of the sport.

With the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games creeping ever closer, all eyes in the combined driving world are focused on the four-in-hand division which, because the WEG is being held on U.S. soil, is the largest it’s ever been.

The year 2009 turned out better than I expected. The mood of the country at the end of 2008 was depressed by the plummeting economy yet hopeful that President-elect Obama would pull a rabbit out of his hat and fix things–fast.

We were good to worry. It helped us to make some difficult choices, learn what’s most important, and how to stretch our limited resources. Life goes on. Competitions were held (most of them), some even had increased entries. World Championships were held and medals were won!