Events, clinics and celebrations!
We have some exciting events planned for 2024!!
Check Back Often!! Details will be posted as they are finalized.
We have decided to also list some regional events that members may find interesting. Please email Chris at [email protected] if you want your event listed. Also check out the following organizations for their events.
The American Driving Society (ADS) www.americandrivingsociety.org
The Carriage Association of America (CAA) www.caaonline.com
The Saratoga Driving Association www.saratogadriving.com
The Colonial Carriage and Driving Society www.colonialcarriage.org
Western NY Combined Carriage Association (WNYCCA) www.wnycca.org
Gladstone Equestrian Association - Driving www.gladstonedriving.org
Cherry Valley Carriage Association www.cherryvalleycarriage.com
Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club (GVRDC) [email protected]
January
Officers Planning meeting for 2024 via Zoom
Officers Planning meeting for 2024 via Zoom
February
2/11/2024 5pm Member meeting and Silent Auction fundraiser at the Van Wyck Homestead. We will be introducing our 2024 officer slate and setting up committees for our various events. Remember, it takes a community to make things happen! We will also hold our Silent Auction of driving/horse and household items... think Tag Sale!! This is our first of two fundraisers so remember to bring items to sell and money to spend!! We will have potluck dinner and coffee. So bring a dish to share (Snowdate for this event is 2/25/2024)
2/18/2024 Endless Mountain Sleigh Rally 12 pm in Dushore, PA. This is the raindate for this event which was postponed from the original 1/14/2024 date. Email [email protected] for details.
2/17/2024 The Saratoga Driving Association will be holding there Spring Conference. Reach out to that club for details
2/11/2024 5pm Member meeting and Silent Auction fundraiser at the Van Wyck Homestead. We will be introducing our 2024 officer slate and setting up committees for our various events. Remember, it takes a community to make things happen! We will also hold our Silent Auction of driving/horse and household items... think Tag Sale!! This is our first of two fundraisers so remember to bring items to sell and money to spend!! We will have potluck dinner and coffee. So bring a dish to share (Snowdate for this event is 2/25/2024)
2/18/2024 Endless Mountain Sleigh Rally 12 pm in Dushore, PA. This is the raindate for this event which was postponed from the original 1/14/2024 date. Email [email protected] for details.
2/17/2024 The Saratoga Driving Association will be holding there Spring Conference. Reach out to that club for details
March
3/17/24 Member Meeting w a speaker to be determined. We are looking at various venues for this meeting so stay tuned to your email and Facebook for this information.
3/17/24 Member Meeting w a speaker to be determined. We are looking at various venues for this meeting so stay tuned to your email and Facebook for this information.
April .
4/14/2024 First Annual Fun Day at Tymor Park in Lagrangeville, NY. Check in at 10 am. So many people enjoyed the fun classes held at last year's Fall Event that we have decided to open the driving season with an event completely dedicated to having a good time with our horses. We have also discussed introducing a clinic at this event if folks are interested. Be prepared for more obstacles, timed events and silly games.
4/14/2024 First Annual Fun Day at Tymor Park in Lagrangeville, NY. Check in at 10 am. So many people enjoyed the fun classes held at last year's Fall Event that we have decided to open the driving season with an event completely dedicated to having a good time with our horses. We have also discussed introducing a clinic at this event if folks are interested. Be prepared for more obstacles, timed events and silly games.
May
5/5/24 Pleasure drive at Wethersfield Gardens in Amenia. Let's gather for our second Pleasure Drive of the year on the beautiful grounds in Amenia , NY at noon for a 1 pm drive out. The trails are varied in terrain and condition. Marathon vehicles and boots are recommended but not necessary. We will head out together or in groups to explore the beautiful grounds. Members must go online in advance to complete the waiver and obtain a day pass.
5/9/24 Pleasure Drive at Stewart State Forest in Rock Tavern, NY Stewart State Forest is a great place to drive! Trails are wide and mostly flat but can be rough with crumbling blacktop. A nice mix of sun and shade and lovely swamp and forest line the trails. There are portions where the highway runs fairly close and can be noisy so be prepared for that. This is our first scheduled pleasure drive of the season and is timed to celebrate one of our presidents birthdays!
5/19/24 Beginner Driving Clinic at Thomas Bull Memorial Park (Horse Arena) Montgomery, NY 12549 at 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM Join us for a hands-on introduction to Horse & Carriage Driving. Meet a variety of horses from minis to draft crosses with the different carriages they use from a simple 2 wheel buggy to a 4 wheel wagonette. Followed by a demonstration of dressage and a cones course. Time to get to work learning to harness, ground drive and hook the horse to a cart focusing on safely working around these large animals. After you have mastered your skills it's time to take the reins and drive a horse. Before that we will have lunch and a safety review. Cost will be $60 for non-members (includes individual membership for this year) or $40 for current members. Registration will be limited to 10 participants to insure everyone has adequate driving time. Stay tuned for registration form.
5/5/2024 WNYCCA Fun Drive at Erie Attica Trail Contact club directly.
5/18/2024 5 pm HVDHA Square Dance at 13 Maybrook Rd, Campbell Hall, NY at the Hamptonburgh Fire District. Although this is not a joint event with our club this year, we wish our Draft Horse friends good luck and lots of fun. For a fun family activity please support them.
5/25-26/2024 GVRDC Jeffrey Kohler Clinic at Fox Run Farm in Geneseo, NY. Jeffrey Kohler is a professional carriage driving trainer in both pleasure and combined driving at Relhok Farm in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, with experience training singles to Four in Hands, and coaching beginner to FEI level drivers. Jeff’s training philosophy places the animal’s well-being first and foremost, layering positive learning experiences for long-term success, without hurrying the process or taking shortcuts. Each lesson will last 45 minutes and will be tailored to the wishes of the participant. Contact club directly for more info.
5/25/2024 WNYCCA Spring Combined Test at Avon Driving Park. Contact club directly.
5/26/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Avon Driving Park. Contact club directly.
5/5/24 Pleasure drive at Wethersfield Gardens in Amenia. Let's gather for our second Pleasure Drive of the year on the beautiful grounds in Amenia , NY at noon for a 1 pm drive out. The trails are varied in terrain and condition. Marathon vehicles and boots are recommended but not necessary. We will head out together or in groups to explore the beautiful grounds. Members must go online in advance to complete the waiver and obtain a day pass.
5/9/24 Pleasure Drive at Stewart State Forest in Rock Tavern, NY Stewart State Forest is a great place to drive! Trails are wide and mostly flat but can be rough with crumbling blacktop. A nice mix of sun and shade and lovely swamp and forest line the trails. There are portions where the highway runs fairly close and can be noisy so be prepared for that. This is our first scheduled pleasure drive of the season and is timed to celebrate one of our presidents birthdays!
5/19/24 Beginner Driving Clinic at Thomas Bull Memorial Park (Horse Arena) Montgomery, NY 12549 at 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM Join us for a hands-on introduction to Horse & Carriage Driving. Meet a variety of horses from minis to draft crosses with the different carriages they use from a simple 2 wheel buggy to a 4 wheel wagonette. Followed by a demonstration of dressage and a cones course. Time to get to work learning to harness, ground drive and hook the horse to a cart focusing on safely working around these large animals. After you have mastered your skills it's time to take the reins and drive a horse. Before that we will have lunch and a safety review. Cost will be $60 for non-members (includes individual membership for this year) or $40 for current members. Registration will be limited to 10 participants to insure everyone has adequate driving time. Stay tuned for registration form.
5/5/2024 WNYCCA Fun Drive at Erie Attica Trail Contact club directly.
5/18/2024 5 pm HVDHA Square Dance at 13 Maybrook Rd, Campbell Hall, NY at the Hamptonburgh Fire District. Although this is not a joint event with our club this year, we wish our Draft Horse friends good luck and lots of fun. For a fun family activity please support them.
5/25-26/2024 GVRDC Jeffrey Kohler Clinic at Fox Run Farm in Geneseo, NY. Jeffrey Kohler is a professional carriage driving trainer in both pleasure and combined driving at Relhok Farm in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, with experience training singles to Four in Hands, and coaching beginner to FEI level drivers. Jeff’s training philosophy places the animal’s well-being first and foremost, layering positive learning experiences for long-term success, without hurrying the process or taking shortcuts. Each lesson will last 45 minutes and will be tailored to the wishes of the participant. Contact club directly for more info.
5/25/2024 WNYCCA Spring Combined Test at Avon Driving Park. Contact club directly.
5/26/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Avon Driving Park. Contact club directly.
June
6/2/24 Woodstock Riding Driving Club Show
6/4/24 - 6/6/24 Club Camping Trip to Pure Country Campground in New Berlin, NY Get ready to have some rough and ready fun with friends. Campground amenities include full hook-up camping sites, primitive sites and a few cabins. There are box stalls and straight stalls available and portable paddocks are welcome on sites as well. Hot showers and bathrooms are located in a central location. Driving amenities include a large arena, obstacle course with some drivable elements and miles of Brookfield Trails adjacent. Roads are mostly little trafficked truck trails but some are gravel so boots or shoes are highly recommended.
6/15/24 Live Auction and Strawberry Festival w HVDHA This fun, annual fundraiser is hosted by our friends at the beautiful Lawrence Farms Orchards. Our own Dick Lahey will be calling the auction. It is a major fundraiser event and relies on your donated items and deep pockets. Horse related items are preferred, but quality household items with lots of life and utility are accepted as well. There will be many cool and interesting items for sale. Start time will be 5 pm sharp and buyers will be asked to gather and load items promptly after the auction so the generous Lawrence family hosts can get to bed.
6/16/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Raspberry Hill Farm. Contact club directly.
6/19/2024 WNYCCA Clinic TBD at High Hopes Farm. Contact club directly.
6/29-30/2024 Gladstone Horse Driving Trial at Pine Meadows/USET in Gladstone, NJ They are also looking for volunteers and sponsors. Contact [email protected]
6/2/24 Woodstock Riding Driving Club Show
6/4/24 - 6/6/24 Club Camping Trip to Pure Country Campground in New Berlin, NY Get ready to have some rough and ready fun with friends. Campground amenities include full hook-up camping sites, primitive sites and a few cabins. There are box stalls and straight stalls available and portable paddocks are welcome on sites as well. Hot showers and bathrooms are located in a central location. Driving amenities include a large arena, obstacle course with some drivable elements and miles of Brookfield Trails adjacent. Roads are mostly little trafficked truck trails but some are gravel so boots or shoes are highly recommended.
6/15/24 Live Auction and Strawberry Festival w HVDHA This fun, annual fundraiser is hosted by our friends at the beautiful Lawrence Farms Orchards. Our own Dick Lahey will be calling the auction. It is a major fundraiser event and relies on your donated items and deep pockets. Horse related items are preferred, but quality household items with lots of life and utility are accepted as well. There will be many cool and interesting items for sale. Start time will be 5 pm sharp and buyers will be asked to gather and load items promptly after the auction so the generous Lawrence family hosts can get to bed.
6/16/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Raspberry Hill Farm. Contact club directly.
6/19/2024 WNYCCA Clinic TBD at High Hopes Farm. Contact club directly.
6/29-30/2024 Gladstone Horse Driving Trial at Pine Meadows/USET in Gladstone, NJ They are also looking for volunteers and sponsors. Contact [email protected]
July
7/4/24 - 7/7/2024 30th Horse Progress Days in Gordonville, PA Join other MHDA members for an event dedicated to animal traction farming. With demonstrations, seminars and workshops, the entire family will be immersed in modern farming practices with a traditional techniques. Lodging arrangements are the individuals responsibility.
7/14/24 Joint picnic with HVDA Last years event was enjoyed and recommended by several members. Stay tuned for time and location as details are worked out.
7/4/2024 WNYCCA Fun Drive at Mendon Ponds Park. Contact club directly
7/26-28/2024 WNYCCA 28th Annual Avon Driving Pleasure Show (3 days, day 1 CT) at Avon Driving Park. Contact club directly.
7/4/24 - 7/7/2024 30th Horse Progress Days in Gordonville, PA Join other MHDA members for an event dedicated to animal traction farming. With demonstrations, seminars and workshops, the entire family will be immersed in modern farming practices with a traditional techniques. Lodging arrangements are the individuals responsibility.
7/14/24 Joint picnic with HVDA Last years event was enjoyed and recommended by several members. Stay tuned for time and location as details are worked out.
7/4/2024 WNYCCA Fun Drive at Mendon Ponds Park. Contact club directly
7/26-28/2024 WNYCCA 28th Annual Avon Driving Pleasure Show (3 days, day 1 CT) at Avon Driving Park. Contact club directly.
August
No club activities planned as it is FAIR month and we hope to see everyone at the Fairs!! These dates are not confirmed so check often for official dates.
8/18/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Sleigh Bell Farm. Contact club directly.
No club activities planned as it is FAIR month and we hope to see everyone at the Fairs!! These dates are not confirmed so check often for official dates.
- 8/2 Ulster County Fair Driving Show
- 8/3 Ulster County Fair Draft Show
- 8/24 Duchess County Fair Driving Show
8/18/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Sleigh Bell Farm. Contact club directly.
September
9/21/2024 Our Fourth Annual MHDA Fall Driving Event at Tymor Park Plan on attending, volunteering or participating. This is a single day event with Dressage, Marathon and Cones course. Entries will be limited to 12 and our Judge for the day will be announced. First Dressage test will begin at 9:30 am and participants will move directly into the marathon phase. Cones will take place following a short lunch break. Bring your own lunch. Our entry fee this year will be determined(fee includes membership). Rain date 9/22/24
9/26/24 through 9/29/24 Our Driving Get away weekend will be in conjunction with the Mid Atlantic Region of ADS at their Regional Drive MARD in Elkton, MD. Last year we rented a great little off site Air BNB. If we get at least 10 members to commit there is another lovely Air BnB nearby, but we need deposits very early to hold. For event info see the American Driving Society Omnibus Get your forms in ASAP for stabling with our group. This is a fun, social event with education thrown in and the driving at Fair Hill is wonderful.
9/7-8/2024 GVRDC ADS Combined Test and Continuous Drive. Tracey Morgan will be judging this event at Hideaway Farm and Fox Run Farm in Geneseo, NY Contact Club directly for more information.
9/14/2024 WNYCCA Combined Test and Continuous Drive at High Hopes Farm. Contact club directly.
9/15/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at High Hopes Farm. Contact club directly.
9/29/2024 WNYCCA Fun Drive at Letchworth Park Contact club directly.
9/21/2024 Our Fourth Annual MHDA Fall Driving Event at Tymor Park Plan on attending, volunteering or participating. This is a single day event with Dressage, Marathon and Cones course. Entries will be limited to 12 and our Judge for the day will be announced. First Dressage test will begin at 9:30 am and participants will move directly into the marathon phase. Cones will take place following a short lunch break. Bring your own lunch. Our entry fee this year will be determined(fee includes membership). Rain date 9/22/24
9/26/24 through 9/29/24 Our Driving Get away weekend will be in conjunction with the Mid Atlantic Region of ADS at their Regional Drive MARD in Elkton, MD. Last year we rented a great little off site Air BNB. If we get at least 10 members to commit there is another lovely Air BnB nearby, but we need deposits very early to hold. For event info see the American Driving Society Omnibus Get your forms in ASAP for stabling with our group. This is a fun, social event with education thrown in and the driving at Fair Hill is wonderful.
9/7-8/2024 GVRDC ADS Combined Test and Continuous Drive. Tracey Morgan will be judging this event at Hideaway Farm and Fox Run Farm in Geneseo, NY Contact Club directly for more information.
9/14/2024 WNYCCA Combined Test and Continuous Drive at High Hopes Farm. Contact club directly.
9/15/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at High Hopes Farm. Contact club directly.
9/29/2024 WNYCCA Fun Drive at Letchworth Park Contact club directly.
October
10/20/24 Hot Cider Picnic Drive at White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, CT. Prepare for an early afternoon drive through this beautiful preserve. The foliage will be spectacular!! We will picnic on the grounds afterwards so bring a basket. We will be reaching out to some fellow driving clubs to join us again.
10/31/2024 This is a tentative date for a DEAD Drag challenge w Margaret Beeman at her Sovereign Hilltop Farm in Millerton, NY. Let's have some indoor ground driving fun w a scary twist.
10/13/2024 WNYCCA Fall Trail Challenge at Raspberry Hill Farm. Contact club directly.
10/27/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Judson's. Contact club directly.
10/20/24 Hot Cider Picnic Drive at White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, CT. Prepare for an early afternoon drive through this beautiful preserve. The foliage will be spectacular!! We will picnic on the grounds afterwards so bring a basket. We will be reaching out to some fellow driving clubs to join us again.
10/31/2024 This is a tentative date for a DEAD Drag challenge w Margaret Beeman at her Sovereign Hilltop Farm in Millerton, NY. Let's have some indoor ground driving fun w a scary twist.
10/13/2024 WNYCCA Fall Trail Challenge at Raspberry Hill Farm. Contact club directly.
10/27/2024 WNYCCA ECHO at Judson's. Contact club directly.
November
11/17/24 Annual Election meeting and Quiz Bowl location tbd Brush up on your horse knowledge as our own Dick Lahey will be testing you in friendly competition. We will also be electing our new officer slate for 2024.
11/7 - 10/2023 The Equine Affaire in West Springfield, MA
11/17/24 Annual Election meeting and Quiz Bowl location tbd Brush up on your horse knowledge as our own Dick Lahey will be testing you in friendly competition. We will also be electing our new officer slate for 2024.
11/7 - 10/2023 The Equine Affaire in West Springfield, MA
December
12/8/24 Holiday Party at The Ship's Lantern Inn, Milton, NY The food was excellent and the company even better. We are planning on reprising the fun but a bit earlier in the day to ease the late night drive!! Bring a Gift to swap if you like!!
12/??/24 The Annual Rockefeller Jingle Ride and Drive at Rockefeller State Park and Preserve in Pleasantville, NY. This will be our first year participating in this event as a club, after 2023's weather issues! The organizers of this event are dedicated to having a very safe event for participants and spectators, so attendance at a safety meeting prior to the event may be required to participate.
12/8/24 Holiday Party at The Ship's Lantern Inn, Milton, NY The food was excellent and the company even better. We are planning on reprising the fun but a bit earlier in the day to ease the late night drive!! Bring a Gift to swap if you like!!
12/??/24 The Annual Rockefeller Jingle Ride and Drive at Rockefeller State Park and Preserve in Pleasantville, NY. This will be our first year participating in this event as a club, after 2023's weather issues! The organizers of this event are dedicated to having a very safe event for participants and spectators, so attendance at a safety meeting prior to the event may be required to participate.