Harness racing
Harness racing is racing in which horses pull a light two-wheeled cart called a sulky, at a trot or a pace rather than a gallop.
At a glance
| Gaits | Horses race at the trot or the pace, never breaking into a gallop. |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | A lightweight two-wheeled sulky carrying the driver behind the horse. |
| Breeds | The Standardbred is the classic harness-racing breed. |
| Starts | Often begun behind a moving starting gate mounted on a car. |
In harness racing the horse tows a driver in a sulky and must keep to a trot or a pace for the whole race; breaking into a gallop is penalised. The gait itself is part of what is being tested.
The Standardbred, bred for a fast and sustainable trot, is the breed of the sport. Races are frequently launched behind a moving gate that folds away as the field reaches the start line.
Sources: Federation Equestrian International (FEI) ยท British Equestrian