Photos

   The 2011 Spring Pleasure Drive at Knox Farm State Park

  
After months of uncertainty as to whether Knox Park would remain open for equestrian use, the East Aurora Driving Society (EADS) received permission from NY State Parks and the Town of Aurora to hold three events in 2011 at the Chur Equestrian Center and Knox Farm State Park. The June 5th Pleasure Drive was the first event of the year:

Despite  a record breaking spring rainfall, the day of the June 5th Pleasure Drive turned out to be a perfect day:  a warm, sunny day, the two arena's freshly mowed, and the beautiful carriage trail through the park was dry and notably free of debris. ( Thanks to all the EADS volunteers and other allied organizations that attended the Trail Maintenance Day in May! )

Event organizer, Jennifer Jensen planned the day as a casual day of driving.  All activities were optional: drivers could practice navigating the covered bridge, the water splash,  and (with thanks to Liz O'Donnell)  obstacles that included a serpentine, back-up, circle, u-turn, and parallel planks. With show season fast approaching, the day provided those who compete a chance to hone their skills; and for those who  simply drive for pleasure, it was a relaxing day to drive in the company of friends. Those who wished to could drive the carriage trail through the park.  By 3:00, the horses were unharnessed, and participants shared snacks and conversation.
 
Photo Gallery:
        
Above left: Barb Hager, & "Stargazer" on course & Dale Hager at rail.  
Above right: Denise Trumpore, Whip & Maria Scinta, Groom & Donkey" Donna"  

  
Above left: Ruby Champagne drives Christa Pipo's POA pair. 
Above right: Liz O'Donnell driving Pat & Howard Shultz's miniature horse, "Spook" 
   
    
Kirk Trumpore driving his Sandardbred mare,"Betty"                                        EADS member Ed Davidson

        
Holly Momberger in an 1890 Road Cart driving her Morgan, "Jubilee"   EADS Board Member, Sue Emborsky

      
 Don Yocum driving his Morgan bay mare "Star"              Ginny Swart & her Shetland " Mr. Chips" on course

                        
Drive Coordinator, Jennifer Jensen & Morgan "Dane"                    Liz O'Donnell trimming around arena fences.


The 2010 Fall Pleasure Drive at Knox Farm State Park
 A few photos of the afternoon- Another beautiful day for a Pleasure Drive! Members met at the Chur Family Equestrian Center at the park. Drivers  practiced the obstacle course or warmed up in the arenas and then assembled for a leisurely carriage drive on the O'Donnell Carriage Trail. Grooms assisted with the road crossing, and set up the tent for the potluck supper that followed. 

Photo Gallery: 

    
           Jennifer Jensen & her Morgan,  "Rita"                Sue Emborsky, Pat McDonnel, Barry Darin
           
           Christa Pipo and Linda White                                                A view of carriages on the trail.
            
Liz O'Donnell & Ruby Champagne & "Wiggins"                                            Barbara Hager



The 2010 Spring Pleasure Drive at Knox Farm State Park
Western New York carriage drivers met at the Chur Family Equestrian Center at Knox Road & Gypsy Lane, in East Aurora for a pleasure drive at Knox Farm State Park. Horses were harnessed by about 1pm, and drivers immediately began to warm up in one arena, while a cones obstacle course was set up in the adjacent arena.  Some drivers and their horses practiced navigating the Water Splash, and the Covered Bridge.  Afterwards the carts and carriages crossed Knox Road to enjoy the beautiful Carriage Trail that meanders through Knox Farm State Park.

By 3:00  additional driving society members arrived to help set up a potluck supper under small shade tents erected next to the arenas. Special thanks to: Liz O'Donnell for coordinating the drive and designing the course; Don Yocum, Ed Davidson and Conward Fulkerson for helping to set up and take down the course and provide safe passage across the road; and Ruby Champagne for coordinating the potluck supper.

Carriage Driving at Knox Farm State Park - There is no fee to ride or drive horses at Knox Park.  However, you do need to obtain an Equestrian Permit.  Complete a simple form, attach  a copy of your current Coggins, and mail them to the Knox Farm Park Manager - the Park 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. You can obtain a permit application  from the Knox Park Office or go to the link  on our home page to downlaod the form.  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. 

 Photo Gallery:

        
Linda White (whip) & Ruby Champagne                                                          Patricia Fulkerson and "Little Gem" going through the Water Splash

   
                                                     Jinny Swart and her Shetland Pony driving the Cones Course and... the Water Splash!.

                   
                                                    Jennifer Jensen, with Liz O'Donnell take the lead for the carriage drive through the park.



More 2010 Events

The East Aurora Driving Society’s Annual Banquet
The Roycroft Inn
East Aurora, New York
On April 10^th, 2010 the East Aurora Driving Society held its annual banquet to recognize several members who have made significant contributions to carriage driving in Western New York. 

Guest Speaker:
The evening's guest speaker was Ms. Jolene Jeffe, Town of Aurora Supervisor, who spoke about New York State’s proposed closure of Knox Farm State Park. Noting that the state legislature has not yet passed a budget to reconcile the State’s budget shortfall for 2010, Ms. Jeffe reported that the Town of Aurora and the Village of East Aurora have passed a joint resolution in support of the local park remaining open. In response to questions from the membership, Ms. Jeffe expressed her optimism that the park would remain open, and gave her personal assurance that the driving society would be kept informed of any developments.

(Knox Farm State Park Update: The East Aurora Driving Society is very pleased to report that it has received approval from the NYS Office of  Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to once again hold its 35th Annual East Aurora Carriage Drive & Competition July 24th &25th,2010 at the the Barbara Chur Family Equestrian Center, Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora, NY. Our sincere thanks to Shelley Weinreb, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Niagara Frontier Park Region, NYSOPRHP and Bill Purtill, Knox Farm State Park Manager.)

Founding Members Honored: 

      
 President Ruby Champagne & Founding Member, Carol Moskowitz           Founding Members Dean Miller & Liz O'Donnell 

On behalf of the membership, driving society President Ruby Champagne of Buffalo, recognized several founding members for their decades of service in promotion of the sport, history and preservation of carriage driving and the driving equine in East Aurora:  Liz O’Donnell, Mark O’Donnell, Carol Moskowitz, all of East Aurora, Jean Benz of Orchard Park, Dean Miller of Elma, and Austin Moore of East Aurora and Edgewater, Florida. Linda White, a charter member of the driving society and her daughter, Christa Pipo received recognition for their length and breadth of service. Ms. White currently serves at Vice President of the East Aurora Driving Society. Both Ms. White and Ms. Pipo, host the driving society’s Winter Get-Together in East Aurora, and participate in regional carriage driving competitions. For many, the highlight of the evening, which was chaired by Susan Collins of East Aurora, was the exhibition of photographs by noted equine photographer and East Aurora Driving Society Founding Member, Dean Miller of Elma, New York (pictured above right). Mr. Miller’s work has graced the covers of the Carriage Journal, The Whip, and the Morgan Horse magazines. Mr. Miller was the official show photographer for the East Aurora Carriage Drive & Competition for over twenty-five years. Individual driving society members also brought photographs to share with the banquet guests, providing a personal and vivid record of the history of carriage driving in Western New York. 

Volunteer Service Recognition:

 
EADS President Ruby Champagne & Charlene Spoth

Patrick and Charlene Spoth of Kelkenberg Farm, Clarence, New York,  were presented with a framed photograph of their new Belgian Draft Horse team to honor their service. Continuing the tradition begun by Ms. Spoth’s parents, Faith and Charlie Kelkenberg, the Spoths are the coordinators and hosts of the popular Annual Fall Hayride and General Membership Meetings. The Spoth’s daughter, Elizabeth is a successful Junior and Novice carriage driver.


EADS President Ruby Champagne & Beverly Peck

Beverly Peck of Williamsville, Coordinator of the Spring Pleasure Drive, was presented with a framed photo of her country turnout, in appreciation of her successful open Annual Spring Pleasure Drives at Maple Row Farm, Clarence Center.