~Serving all of Western NY and the Surrounding Areas~
Welcome to the East Aurora Driving Society
&
Current News!
Welcome!
The East Aurora Driving Society was founded in October of 1976, to promote the sport of pleasure driving: through clinics, driving competitions, and pleasure drives and further the interest in the collection and restoration of horse-drawn vehicles.
For thirty-five years, The East Aurora Driving Society has celebrated East Aurora’s storied history as the world’s trotting nursery: when the town was known for the large Standardbred breeding farms of the Hamlin, Jewett and Knox families. Cicero Hamlin’s “Mambrino King” was judged to be the “The Handsomest Horse in the World”. This was also a time when it was not uncommon for village drivers to challenge one another to a spirited race down Main Street, while spectators cheered and waged bets on the action! Today, the tradition of carriage driving is alive and well in East Aurora, even though racing down village streets is no longer a feature! Then and now, members of the East Aurora Driving Society come from all walks of life… what they all share is a love of horses and driving!
The Annual East Aurora Carriage Drive & Competition traditionally takes place on the last full weekend of July at the Chur Family Equestrian Center at Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora, New York. The American Driving Society recognized competition, known for its beautiful venue, draws competitors from across New York State, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario, Canada. The two-day competition is staffed by driving society volunteers and their families. Offered for competitors is a full complement of pleasure driving and obstacle course classes in Novice, Junior, Very Small Horse & Pony, Single Pony, Single Horse, and Multiples (Pairs) divisions. A popular feature for spectators is the "Pleasure Drive-Blind Pace" - a country course of several miles that tests the skills of the carriage driver through the grounds of Knox Farm State Park returning through the Willink Covered Bridge and Water Splash obstacle at the Chur Equestrian Center.(For more information about this year's show, click on the 2012 Competition tab at left.)
E-Mail:
EACarriageShow@msn.com
or Phone: 716.652.6443
A Note to our Competitors:
EACarriageShow@msn.com
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THE KNOX FARM STATE PARK EQUESTRIAN PERMIT
With an approved equestrian permit, carriage drivers will be able to park vehicles and
trailers at the Chur Equestrian Center at the corner of Gypsy Lane and Knox Road - and drive the carriage trail at Knox Farm State Park. The Town of Aurora has contracted with NY State to operate the Chur Family Equestrian Center. The permit is free and valid for the calendar year.
_________________________________________________________________________December 2011
East Aurora's Longtime Show Manager, Liz O'Donnell Retires
In September 2011, Liz O’Donnell announced to the EADS Board of Directors that she will no longer be able to serve as Show Manager of the Annual East Aurora Carriage Drive & Competition, due to family considerations.
Ruby Champagne, President of EADS, formally announced the retirement at the EADS General Membership Meeting in November. That same afternoon, the EADS membership voted to continue the 37 year tradition of the East Aurora Carriage Drive & Competition in 2012.
The Board of Directors, Membership, and the many friends of EADS join to express their appreciation to Liz for her immeasurable contributions to carriage driving in Western New York: as an East Aurora Driving Society founding member, officer, show manager, and driving instructor.
Though lessening her work load at EADS, Liz will continue to contribute significantly as The East Aurora Driving Society's Board Treasurer and as the Driving Society's Liaison to the Village of East Aurora & Town of Aurora. She will also continue to be active in the East Aurora community as a newly elected member of the Friends of Knox Board of Directors.
