Association
Internationale
d’Attelage de Tradition

Dear friends,

The Association Internationale d’Attelage de Tradition (AIAT), founded in 2008, has now come of age, establishing itself as a reference institution in the defence, conservation and promotion of a tradition that unites us and that we are passionate about: the art of carriage driving.

Since its creation, our Association has worked towards one essential goal: to preserve and pass on to future generations the extraordinary historical, cultural and sporting heritage that traditional driving represents.

Today, the AIAT brings together enthusiasts, coachmen and experts from different countries, united by the same vocation: to keep alive the classic art of driving, respecting the particular features and traditions of each nation.

One of our greatest sources of pride is to count, within our institutions, some of the most distinguished connoisseurs of this art: true masters whose experience, wisdom and dedication are a heritage of inestimable value that we have the responsibility to preserve and pass on.

The AIAT welcomes the different forms of traditional driving, always linked to the use of antique carriages, from drives and tours to rallies and competitions, in the belief that all of them help to keep our passion alive.

However, the true cornerstone of our Association is the Traditional Driving Competitions, both national (CAT) and international (CIAT), governed by common rules that guarantee the preservation of our principles and values.

But we must not forget that, above rules, rankings and prizes, the true essence of our competitions lies in the meeting of friends who share the same passion and the same way of understanding carriage driving.

Friendship, generosity, respect, good manners, elegance and enthusiasm must always guide our activities. It is these values, together with the selfless and voluntary spirit of those who work with our Association, that give traditional driving its true greatness.

I would also like to stress the importance of keeping an open, generous and cooperative attitude towards those associations and clubs in our respective countries which, although not part of the AIAT, also work for the conservation and promotion of traditional driving.

Although our statutes provide for only one representative institution per nation, this must not prevent us from reaching out to those who share our ideals and respect our rules. On the contrary, we should offer them our cooperation and our selfless support, convinced that the more of us there are defending this tradition, the stronger it will be and the more promising its future.

Traditional driving must always be a bond of unity, never a cause of division.

Dear friends, we can be proud of the road we have travelled, but we must also be aware of the responsibility that lies ahead. We have received an extraordinary legacy, and it is up to us to preserve it, enrich it and pass it on to the generations to come.

I encourage you to continue working with the same enthusiasm, commitment and dedication that have brought us this far.

Let us continue to move forward together, united by friendship, respect for our traditions and our love of carriage driving.

I am convinced that we are on the right track and that, all together, we will secure a great future for traditional driving.

With my affection and friendship,

José Juan Morales Fernández
President