New Forest Concours International d’Attelage de Tradition (CIAT) carriage driving competition returns to New Forest Showground in Brockenhurst

Some of the finest antique horse-drawn carriages in the country will grace the New Forest for an international competition this weekend.

The New Forest Concours International d’Attelage de Tradition (CIAT) returns to New Forest Showground in Brockenhurst on Saturday and Sunday.

This is despite a weather warning for thunderstorms in place for Saturday, with organisers confirming to the A&T the event will still run over both days.

Competitors will be coming from the US, and a judge from Belgium for the contest, which promotes the use of pre-1945 traditional carriages and “reflect the skills and heritage” of the driving of harness horses and ponies.

The CIAT format was developed around 30 years ago amid strong interest retained in traditional carriages and the popularity of private driving at British shows which was “a contrary experience” in the rest of Europe.

A spokesperson for the event said: “Inspired by the British enthusiasm, it was decided to regenerate interest in traditional driving in France and adapt to a new format to share the virtues of traditional carriage driving with the sporting prowess and technical accuracy of modern driving trials.”

The new format was developed at Chateau de Cuts, and latterly at Cuts à Compiègne, now the home of the Trophée des Nations where around 90 drivers from 14 nations are watched by around 20,000 spectators.

“With the combination of a dynamic new competition format and the popular social cordiality, the event has become a roaring success and the resultant newly gained interest in original vehicles,” the spokesperson added.

Spectators are welcome at New Forest Showground where events start at 10.30am on both days.