In 1978 a group of people interested in promoting the sport of driving felt an organization was needed to coordinate their efforts. Since most of the founders resided in the town of Aurora, NY, it was decided the organization be named, The East Aurora Driving Society. Membership grew rapidly as the appeal of the Horse and Carriage, in all of  its aspects, caught the attention of horse people and carriage enthusiasts                                                                                 
    The Society was founded to promote interest in the collection and restoration of horse-drawn vehicles, and pleasure driving: through clinics, driving competitions, and pleasure drives. All of our competitions adhere to the rules of the “American Driving Society.”                            
    Membership in the club is open to anyone interested in advancing the “art and sport of pleasure driving.” Ownership of a horse or vehicle is not required.  All members are encouraged to participate in the many club activities and to serve on its various committees.                        
    The Society offers clinics to encourage the proper restoration of vehicles, promote “safe driving” and further the skill of both beginner and advanced drivers.                                             
    The annual East Aurora Carriage Drive & Competition takes place on the last full weekend in July each year, at the Neil and Barbara Chur Family Equine Center, on the Knox Farm State Park, drawing exhibitors from many states and Canada.
     The competition offers challenging  classes in pleasure and obstacle driving, in addition to a Marathon which crosses our Willink Covered-Bridge and the Champagne Water-Splash. It  is an event eagerly anticipated and enjoyed by exhibitors and spectators alike.

  NEW !      Carriage Driving at Knox Farm State Park 
There is no fee to ride or drive horses at Knox Park in East Aurora, New York. However, you do need to have a valid equestrian permit.  You can obtain a permit application from the Knox Farm State Park Office or  click on the link below to download the two page 2010 form.  
Complete the form, attach  a copy of your current Coggins, and include a SASE, and mail them to the Park Manager's Office, Knox Farm State Park 437 Buffalo Road, East Aurora, NY 14052. The Park Office will return your form with a permit number good for the current calendar year. You need to have the form with you whenever you ride or drive at the Park. If you think you'd like to join other carriage drivers for an afternoon or early evening of driving at Knox Farm State Park - Contact Us.  
                        Click here to download or print - Page 1- Park Permit.
                              Click here to download or print - Page 2- Park Permit.