International Carriage Drivers Association Launched at the FEI Driving World Cup Final in Bordeaux 2023

Bordeaux 4th February 2023 - A new association for carriage drivers has been launched to coincide with the FEI Driving World Cup Final in Bordeaux. The International Carriage Drivers Association (“ICDA”) has been established to represent the interests of all international drivers across horse, pony and para equestrian driving classes.

Aligned With FEI 

ICDA has been founded to support the growth of carriage driving as an integral part of the FEI’s mission to develop equestrian sport globally and to promote sportsmanship across all driving classes in order to promote the image of driving sport as an equestrian sport. ICDA’s formation follows the example of other equestrian disciplines such as Dressage and Jumping which have established similar associations. A key objective for all these associations is to ensure a direct line of communication between the athletes and the FEI.

Membership is open both to international drivers and supporters of carriage driving. Representatives from all driving classes have joined the Committee. The athletes representative within the FEI Technical Committee Driving – Franz Schiltz from Luxembourg – has also been invited to join the committee in order to streamline communication between ICDA and FEI.

Important Step

Boyd Exell from Australia, six times world champion and the winner of nine FEI Driving World Cup Finals, together with Dutchman Koos de Ronde the winner of seven Team World Championship gold medals and multiple Dutch champion, have prompted the establishment of ICDA and commented: “We both believe ICDA is an important step forward in supporting the development of driving as a top equestrian discipline. ICDA will give drivers a forum to discuss the way forward for the sport and will ensure that their views are communicated directly with the FEI.”

Manuel Bandeira de Mello, FEI Director of Driving is also enthusiastic about the initiative: “I welcome the establishment of ICDA and very much hope that this new association will attract support from drivers who compete internationally. I look forward to discussing ways in which we can continue to develop driving as a top sport.”

All international drivers and supporters are invited to join ICDA – 2023 & 2024 no membership fee. For more information on ICDA, visit the website: icda-driving.com.
Also join the https://www.facebook.com/ICDA.drivers