~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!
Membership in the club is open to anyone interested in advancing the “art and sport of pleasure driving.” New members can receive assistance in finding a suitable horse, cart, harness and driving instruction. Some members drive competitively, many others drive simply for pleasure, and some do not drive at all. But all members can participate in club-sponsored activities: pleasure drives, clinics, trips, sleigh rallies, fun days, and as volunteers for the annual show. Juniors and novices can join in all of the club’s activities. (For more information click on the membership tab at left)
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 frm 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 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.)
CURRENT NEWS!
A Note to our Competitors:
Our longtime show manager announced her retirement last fall (see article below).
After a vote of support from the general membership, our Board of Directors and Volunteers are rising to the challenge - to continue the 37 year old tradition of carriage driving competition at East Aurora.This year we'll have the same beautiful Knox Farm State Park venue, dedicated volunteers, loyal competitors, and a few changes, big and small, that we hope will be met favorably by our competitors.....We hope to see you again in July!
Presenting
The 37th Annual
East Aurora Carriage Drive &Competition
July 28 & 29, 2012
Knox Farm State Park
Knox Road & Gypsy Lane
East Aurora, New York
Our 2012 Officials:
ADS Technical Delegate: Ed Young
ADS Judges: Toddy Hunter & Billie Hill
ADS Course Designer: Margaret Monnelly
Ringmaster: Matt Ferro
Announcer: Debra McCathy
Cone Steward: Carl McNicoll
ADS Judges: Toddy Hunter & Billie HillADS Course Designer: Margaret MonnellyRingmaster: Matt FerroAnnouncer: Debra McCathyCone Steward: Carl McNicoll
Our 2012 Show Managers:
Berit Taggart, Administration & Sue Emborsky,Facilities
New for 2012:
Two Judges - Utilizing Two Enclosed Rings - Standard Track Width -
New Class Schedule - Expanded Warm-Up Area -
Morning Pleasure Drive (Marathon)
&
An Expanded Area LODGING LIST for Competitors
Check the 2012 COMPETITION PAGE -Tab at Left Menu.
COMING SOON:
The 2012 Prize List and Entry Forms will be available in early April.
FOR SHOW INFORMATION:
EACarriageShow@msn.com
2011 NEWS!
UPDATED: 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.
Knox Farm State Park News
The East Aurora Driving Society continues to work in concert with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, The Town of Aurora, Village of East Aurora, the Western Chapter of the New York State Horse Council, Friends of Knox, and other allied organizations to insure that Knox Park State Park remains open to equestrian use.
To obtain a FREE Annual Equestrian Permit contact:
Peggy Cook
Town of Aurora Department of Parks & Recreation
(716) 652-8866, M-F 8:30 - 4:30 or recreation@townofaurora.com
OR
Susan Fleming
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation
(716)745-7273
or Susan.Fleming@oprhp,state.ny.us
KNOX FARM STATE PARK IS NOW OPEN FOR "PASSIVE USE".
With an approved equestrain 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 will be contracting with NY State to operate the Chur Family Equestrian Center. The contract is expected to be signed by early June. We'll keep you posted of any rule changes.
THE EAST AURORA DRIVING SOCIETY HAS APPROVAL FOR THREE (3) EVENTS
1. The Annual Spring Pleasure Drive on JUNE 5th - (This is a date change )
2. The 36th Annual East Aurora Carriage Drive & Competition JULY 30 & 31
3. The Annual Fall Pleasure Drive on SEPTEMBER 25th
Note: The Summer Fun Day scheduled for August 28th has been CANCELLED.
KNOX PARK EQUESTRIAN PERMIT
INDIVIDUAL CARRIAGE DRIVERS who would like to get together for informal drives throughout the driving season may do so with an approved state permit. The trail will be mowed, there are plans to place trail markers, and install an informational kiosk with maps of the trails at the Chur Family Equestrian Center. As one of the few remaining public places to carriage drive in Western NY, we hope you will come and enjoy driving at the park, and by doing so help keep the park open for equestrian use in the future.
The permit is free, and is valid for the calendar year. Though it is called a "Horseback Riding Permit" - it is for carriage drivers as well, and Knox Park Rules are included. To obtain a "Knox Farm State Park Horseback Riding Permit & Agreement" e-mail or telephone your request to: Susan.Fleming@oprhp,state.ny.us or 716 745-7273.
Send completed forms with a legible copy of your current coggins-
by e-mail to: Susan.Fleming@oprhp,state.ny.us or
by US mail to: Knox Farm Equestrian Permit c/o Fort Niagara State Park - 1 Maintenance Avenue, Youngstown, NY 14174.
