Horse riding event with car driving?

August 13, 2009 6:31 AM

Some time ago I remember seeing an event on TV that involved horse riding and car driving in the same event. Does anyone know about this?

The format was something like this:

There was a muddy sort of arena that formed a ring in an elongated circle (similar to an 800m athletics track, but much smaller), and the competitors had to ride a horse around, then dismount, get into a car and drive that around it as well.

I can't remember if this was a real sport or if it was some sort of crazy gameshow or something.

This would have been seen on UK TV, possibly on satellite channels, like sky sports or something, but I can't remember the channel.

posted by markturner to sports, hobbies, & recreation (5 comments total)

Was it an actual competition? Top Gear does things sort of like this all the time, though that's usually more like a race between a horse and a car than some kind of relay...
posted by you're a kitty! at 7:17 AM on August 13

Were the competitors dressed and equipped like professional showjumpers? Red or black or blue jackets, light jodphurs, long boots - riding large, fit horses which are also immaculately turned out.

If yes then it was likely a showjumping event designed for maximum crowd enjoyment. You'll see the like at events such as the Horse of the Year show. Usually the sponsor finds a way to inject their product into the proceedings - either by the winner winning the product or in this case perhaps having the product as part of the proceedings.
posted by Ness at 8:03 AM on August 13

Yeah they were dressed in proper riding gear, which if anything added to the oddness of it!

I think it was an actual competition, I remember seeing multiple participants have a go. It definitely wasn't on top gear, although it sounds like something they might do.
posted by markturner at 4:19 AM on August 14

Actually thinking about it I think you're right Ness, it did involve jumping as well, so it was kind of a showjumping set up but then they got into like a rally car and had to do a couple of laps or something.
posted by markturner at 4:27 AM on August 14

Right, I've found a video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqZT3_bYFuI

This is pretty much exactly what I remember, thanks Ness for the Horse of the Year clue!

At least I know I'm not crazy after all!
posted by markturner at 4:37 AM on August 14