The Achenbach Driving System

What is it all about?

Achenbach is a driving system developed by a German man Benno Bon Achenbach.  Like any good system it is completely duplicatable. Much like McDonald’s is a successful business due to its well-planned system.....a 15 year old can flip burgers in Sydney then walk into a McDonalds in Hobart and do the same job because everything is systemised.  Benno Von Achenbach, studied the styles of driving throughout Europe and combined teachings from Howlett in Paris, the Hungarian style and the English style.  He picked the best attributes from each and developed a system that was teachable and easily duplicated, not only that but giving a reason for each movement. This was so well thought and laid out that 100yrs later the Achenbach Driving System is still going strong.

I have proven this successful system many times over in my teachings with total beginners where on day two they can be confidently trotting through a cones course with a pair of horses, or the 65 year old that has driven all their life can adapt to this method and improve their driving.

The Achenbach System covers everything from harnessing to putting to, to driving a 6 in hand.  It is all based on safety and practicality.  I love teaching the Achenbach System because I can always be confident to answer any questions and give my students a good solid reason why we do things in a certain way.  It makes sense.

I was driving a 4 in hand through Windsor Park England with a top English coach and he suggested a different movement to the Achenbach style I was using, when I queried why change what I was doing his answer was “because that is the tradition”.  Here is the difference with Achenbach there is always a reason.

By Gary Rollans

EFA Level2 Driving Coach. EFA Coach Educator. 

German Bronze & Silver Standard Certificate. 

International competitor/coach/trainer.