Combined driving became an FEI discipline in 1970 when Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the then-president of FEI, produced the first rule book. Additionally, at international levels there are teams of three national competitors. In this discipline, the driver sits on a vehicle drawn by a single horse, a pair or a team of four.

The sport has three phases: dressage, cross-country marathon and obstacle cone driving — patterned after the mounted equestrian sport of eventing. It is one of the ten international equestrian sport horse disciplines recognized by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).

Lenny Kindt at Aachen

Team Work Is More Than the Driver and Horses

It is not just the driver and the horses involved in the sport of combined driving, but the crew behind the scenes, and in the carriage behind the driver. Depending on the number of horses, another person needs to be in the carriage. Known as the groom, and also navigator, their responsibility is as important and demanding as the driver himself. In Europe the sport is much larger than in the USA.

Help Wanted – Looking For International Experience

For an Advanced FEI Level athlete, it is often necessary to pull from the experienced workforce in Europe, where the depth of knowledge and exposure to more competitions is something not found so easily in the USA.

Chester Weber , is a 2018 World Championship Team Gold Medallist and  US National Four-In-Hand Champion, winner for the 17 time in 2023. He has spent a lifetime in the sport managing up to 25 horses daily in competition and training, in the USA as well a Europe. As a businessman he approached the day to day activities of his staff with precision and focus. He offers opportunities to developing drivers he sees talent in from multiple countries. A visit to his barn is an international experience with a team from Germany, Netherlands, Hungary, Canada and of course the USA.

Catching Up with Lenny Kindt

Team Weber in the marathon in Ocala

When managing a team of four-in-hand horses, it takes teamwork with a crew of up to 10 people in training and at a competition. One of his most valued staff is Lennart “Lenny” Kindt, who has been with team Weber since 2019.

He was educated and trained for years for the Number 1  FEI World
Ranking Jumper Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, at International Jumping Barn in Germany. Weber’s niece Chloe Reid, an international jumper rider “discovered” him and connected him to driving. The attention to detail, care, grooming, show management and all that goes into being staff  at a top Jumper barn provided the perfect foundation for working with Weber.

What it Takes

Lenert quickly adapted learning the skills and requirements and rapidly excelled to be an invaluable part of the team, and ultimately Weber’s Team leader. Because of his previous experience he was skilled at adapting to the care and training programs of driving horses. With the changes in staff based on Weber’s program taking in developing drivers doing internships, Lenert became the person coordination and managing not only the staff bit the horses, training, travelling schedules, and competition.

Lenny Kindt with Team Weber

But That’s Not All

For a driver of a four-in-hand team, there is so much that goes into a competition, he becomes reliant on those who work closely with him in the strategy and competing sport of combined driving. Lenert excelled in all that is needed as part if the support crew, and is what a driver looks for when seeking and educating their staff.

• Analytical skills – Study and analyse Obstacles before Marathon to figure out fastest
  and safest Route for Driver and Horses
• Problem solving – to be able to find solutions in seconds if there are changes
  during competition or if unexpected things happening with carriage/horses.
• Communication skills – lead the Driver by navigation through the
  Obstacles/communicate with Driver during the marathon about changes, upcoming
  obstacles and times.

“Lenny has proven to be an invaluable asset to our team and has become a critical ingredient into achieving competitive excellence.” Chester Weber

The Schedule for Team Weber

Since joining Team Weber, Kindt jumped right in and became the perfect fit, helping Weber continue the development of a winning team.

• American Championship Four in Hand Driving 2020 Kentucky USA
• Live Oak International/American Championship 2019,2022,2023 Florida USA
• Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022,2023 London GBR
• Chio Aachen 2022,2023 Germany
• World Championship FEI Driving Four in Hand 2022 Rome, Italy
• Four in Hand Driving Show Szilvasvarad 2023 Hungary this begins the preparation process and planning for the World Championship in 2024 at the same location, inspect Facility, driving arenas, obstacles.

Upcoming Important Horse Shows 2024

• Live Oak International/American Championship 2024
• CHIO Aachen 2024
• World Championship FEI Driving Four in Hand Szilvasvarad Sept. 4-8 2024