May 29, 2008 by Capuce.

If anyone is looking for something fun and free to do on Sunday the 22nd annual NDS Carriage show is at Northampton Park next to Springdale Farm. 

Cotton and I will be competing for our first time this year.  If you have ever been curious about driving and want to stop by and see us you’re more than welcome to.  I’ll be happy to answer any questions about harnessing, hitching, and how to get started teaching your horse to drive.    If you wan to find us we’re the ones with the green Chevy truck and the old grey 2 horse trailer.

Hope to see you there!

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March 13, 2008 by Capuce.

I’ve just about had it with winter!  But, there are some things you can do in the snow with your horse that you just can’t do in the summer. 

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December 11, 2007 by Capuce.

The Mendon Ponds Winterfest is held Sunday January 20^th 2008. 

New this year the festival is looking for sleighs! 

Here is an opportunity for drivers to use your sleighs or sleds in a winter venue at Mendon Ponds Park.  I know that it takes a hardy sole to brave the elements this time of year, but it can be a lot of fun.  The time will be from 11:00 to 4:00 at the Cobblestone House on Douglas Road.  The area is very gently rolling and off the road with ample room for parking and sleighing.  Ken is the Volunteer Winterfest organizer and can be reached at 585-586-5205 or Kehann@frontiernet.net.

For more information about Winterfest and directions visit their site at http://www.mendonpondswinterfest.org/

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August 31, 2007 by Capuce.

Most horse riders have never held the reins of a driving horse before.  As kids many of us may have gone on a hay ride or taken a horse taxi in a park but most people never think of actually driving their own horse.

As it turns out the Rochester, NY area has great knowledge base for those interested in learning to drive!  Did you know that the Walnut Hill Driving Competition is the largest of it’s kind in the world!  There’s also local clubs like the Northampton Driving Society, Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club and the Pittsford Carriage Association willing to help out new comers.  The Northampton Driving Society (NDS) has to be the best beginner friendly organization though. With fun driving events, a yearly show, and monthly meetings and seminars they are the most helpful when starting out. I literally taught my mare to drive with a book, the internet, and the help of NDS.

If you think trail riding is fun you’ve got to get out for a drive some day.  The greatest perk about driving is it’s something you can share with others.  My non horsey mom and friends are always asking me if they can join me for a drive. Some are even getting more adventurous and are asking if they can take the reins for a while.  Driving is also great on your back.  If riding in the saddle makes you sore and tires you out give driving a try.

I find I’m more prone to exercising my horses driving than riding because it’s less stress on me.  Trotting 2-3 miles in a saddle vs. in a cart is a HUGE difference.  Another plus is there’s no better way to build up your horses stamina and hindquarters than driving!  Love those hunter paces or endurance rides but conditioning to ride them tiring you out?  Driving allows the horse to get a great work out over long distances.  Heck, I take my GPS unit with me in the cart to help me know exact mileage and speed.

Still need some motivation to try driving?  Take the virtual reins of my horse.

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May 27, 2007 by Capuce.

Looking for a fun family outing Sunday June 3rd that’s Free?  Come to the NDS driving show! Located next to Springdale Farm in Spencerport this show has been a long standing event for over 20 years!

How to get there:
- 490 to 531
- At end of 531 take a LEFT (RT 36 Washington St)
- At flashing light make a RIGHT (Colby St)
- At stop sign make RIGHT
- Find a parking spot.

The show starts at 8am and runs to about 4:30 - 5pm.  Many classes of horses from mini’s to drafts, singles to pairs and don’t forget the fast and exciting cones classes!

Bring a chair to sit on and a hat or umbrella for rain or too much sun. Pack a lunch or there is a wonderful food vendor on site should you feel the craving for a hotdog or icecream.   Please leave your puppies home.  Barking dogs and horses seldom mix and we’d hate for someone to wreck or lose a class because their horse spooked.

Interested in meeting me?  I’ll be the Ring Master for the morning classes and scribe in the afternoon.  Can’t miss me I’m 6′2″!

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January 27, 2007 by Capuce.

My favorite spot! So much so I got married on horseback there! This is the perfect spot to ride with multiple friends. FREE entrance, large gravel parking lots, shade trees and picnic tables make the perfect setting to spend with your equine friends. My favorite time is the fall with the old woods bursting into color and views of the gorge. WARNING: the trail is wide but has very steep drop off on 1 or both sides at times.

How to get there from Rochester:
- 390 South
- Exit 7 - Mt Morris
- Left on to 408
- Stay on 408 through Mt Morris to Nunda
- Right at light in Nunda on to 436
- Parade Grounds on Right - before RR Bridge
- Closed in winter - but good parking at enterence to still gain acess.

Either ride on the roads themselves or you can pick up the Finger Lakes trail down the road from the parking area. If you stay on the road it will turn to dirt and has many views of the gorge. Going left on the FLT is only a mile but will have views of the falls before it ends at the landslide. If you go right the trail is wide and very colorful with long views into the woods.

The roads are quiet and would make a great spot to go out with a cart. Assuming my mare recovers from destroying her knee a few weeks ago I hope to drive her around Big Bend. Sadly, it may be 6 months to a year of stall rest and therapy before she can go out and play again.

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January 20, 2007 by Capuce.

The Chautauqua Institution’s 27th annual sleigh rally has been cancled due to lack of early snow which caused low turnout.   This sleigh rally is one of the oldest and longest running in the country. 

Click Here for more information about the CCHA Sleigh Rally

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January 20, 2007 by Capuce.

Mendon Pond Map

Tomorrow is Mendon Ponds Winterfest!  What’s going on at the park that’s horse related?

11am - 4pm:  Mounted Patrol
11:30am - 3:30pm: Horse drawn sled - Photo Op Glad Acres Farm
11:30am - 3:30pm: Horse drawn wagon - Glad Acres Farm
11:30am - 4pm: Blacksmith Demonstration
11am - 4pm: Granger Homestead Photo Op with sled

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January 2, 2007 by Capuce.

Black Creek Map

Black Creek Park has nice wide trails some with hills good footing and the bugs aren’t bad. I recommend parking at the Green Rd parking lot, click on the PDF above for a detailed map. It’s large, graveled with not to many visitors unlike the “main” entrance. If you dare there’s a bathroom but it’s not in the best condition. Horses are allowed on most trails accept those with boardwalks. There are signs posted so you don’t get confused.

This is a nice park for a picnic. There are nice open grassy areas for grazing or trees to tie a picket line. I’ve enjoyed many sunny afternoons lazing around in the warm grass watching my boy Goliath gorge himself.

This park is much like Northampton. The trails are wide enough to a horse cart though I have yet to have brought mine up for a drive. Let me know if you have driven in this park before.

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January 2, 2007 by Capuce.

A small nature filled park between Brockport and Spencerpor, NY off of Rt 31

Northampton Park Map

Open the above PDF and you’ll find a detailed map of the trails, horse trailer parking and area’s of interest. Trails are grassy and wide to accommodate a buggy or cart. Trails are best when the weather is dry as some area’s do get wet. Park rangers keep the area groomed very well and the bugs are at a minimum. The park has inspired a local driving society and a small driving show the 1st Sunday of every June. More information can be found at Northampton Driving Society.

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