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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May 29, 2008 by Capuce.

Rochester Trail Riders Fun Ride # 2 

Date:  June 14^th

Time: 10am we ride

Where: Mendon Ponds Park

Level: Medium to hard – trail lengths vary – hilly

The first ride was a great success.  I see our horses are eager for something a little more challenging and the hills at Mendon I’m sure will do the trick.  There are tons of trails to ride once there and we can decide on which ones to take as a group.  I’ve only ridden there once so if someone with more trail time at the park would like to lead this ride please let me know.

If you’ve already mailed in your forms you’re all set to attend this ride.  If I don’t have them, please go to the Forms Page for more information.

Detailed Park Map(PDF) – Park at Horse Trailer Parking

·         390 South to Exit 11

·         Make LEFT on Rt 15

·         Make LEFT on Rt 251

·         Make slight LEFT on Pittsford Mendon Center Rd

·         Make LEFT on Pond Rd

·         Trailer Parking on RIGHT

·         390 North to Exit 11

·         Make RIGHT on Rt 251

·         Make slight LEFT on Pittsford Mendon Center Rd

·         Make LEFT on Pond Rd

·         Trailer Parking on RIGHT

Forward this to anyone who might think is interested.

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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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July 15, 2007 by Capuce.

I’ve just gotten back from a week long trip to the Adirondack Mountains. What a wonderful place. There’s so much more the the area that I want to see on horseback than what I’ve done in the past.

For about 2-3 summers I was a trail guide for Adirondack Saddle Tours in Eagle Bay NY, just out side of Old Forge. Ever since then, I can’t help but stop by, grab 2 horses and go out with my husband while on vacation. My trusty mount this year was my good old girl Babe. Around 30 years old and this girl still has got it. Strong Quarter horse blood has her on the trails and as good as any youngster there. She still does the Wednesday train robberies with the Loomis Gang and has no fear of the gunfire. Darn, the only picture I have of us dressed up to rob a train is a traditional photo and I don’t have a scanner. Oh well.

Anyway, if you ever find yourself in the Old Forge area without your horse and are looking for a good day out, check out my old stomping ground. John Evan’s loves his horses! He takes great care of them and unlike most establishments keeps his horses year round. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have been asked “Is this horse for sale?” after a long ride. Better get in line, only a sparse few have ever left John’s stable.

As for me, I’m happy to wait patiently until my Babe is ready to retire before she can come live with me. Which may be a few years yet. There have been several horses that refused to retire until their mid 30’s. And I mean refuse to retire, as they would carry on such a fuss if we didn’t take them out.

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May 27, 2007 by Capuce.

Did you know that the DEC Region 8 headquarters in Avon have trails and ponds that were once usable by horses?  I called the DEC a while ago and apparently the former person in charge used to allow horse traffic on the DEC 8 trails.  Since his retirement, horse traffic on this property has been held up in limbo!  I’ve been told that while there currently aren’t any rules against horses on the property there aren’t any allowing them either.

Stop by the DEC some time and hike the trails.  If you’re interested in helping to preserve these free trails for horse use.  Let them know.

To get to the DEC from Rochester:
- 390 South to Exit 10 
- Left on to 5 & 20
- On Right after Dutch Hollow Rd 

To let the Region 8 DEC know you want to ride on their trails contact:

Regional Director: Sean Hanna
6274 E. Avon-Lima Road (Rt 5 & 20)
Avon, NY 14414-9519
(585) 226-2466

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May 17, 2007 by Capuce.

Note:  Letchorth Parade Grounds entrance will be open starting tomorrow.  To learn more about these trails click on “Parks” in the left hand column.

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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.

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.

Posted in Driving, Parks | 1 Comment »

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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