2024 Calendar of Events
BVDRC’s events are BOLDED
The 4 driving clubs in Texas are: Brazos Valley Driving and Riding Club, BVDRC.com; Houston Area Carriage Association, hacaclub.com; North Texas Whip, ntw.clubexpress.com; and Tejas Carriage Association, tejascarriageassociation.weebly.com.
If you are interested in attending Competitive Trail Challenges, please go to their actual websites: Texas Trail Challenge Club, texastrailchallengeclub.com; Equine Trail Sports, equinetrailsports.com. Due to the high volume of dates for these events, I will no longer list them; just too many.
2 more good resources for equine related activities to check out are Brazos Expo calendar – brazoscountyexpo.com; and the Texas A & M Agri-life Extension app (it is a free download). Both have numerous events/activities posted.
Due to the length of the trail riding facilities list, I have moved it to the END of the Calendar so that it is easier to reference and review. It also includes the contact information for each facility for your convenience. Please feel free to send me facilities that are not listed.
October, 2024
Oct. 4-5th – All Breed Horse Show sponsored by the Brazos Extension Horse Committee and the Greater Houston AQHA. Show will be held at the Brazos Co. Expo and it is open to ALL TYPES OF EQUINE! Contact Kathryn Kelly, text (703) 331-9609 or email: mirrored.k.ranch@gmail.com.
Oct. 4-6th – BVETR’s make up TBarS ride. This ride was originally scheduled in March., then in May, and now for Oct.. Members have received emails about all changes. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Oct. 5th – Bluebonnet Equine Rescue Expo, Taylor, TX. More details to follow.
Oct. 5-6th – Tejas Carriage Association’s Pleasure Driving Show at Willow Draw, 401 N. Bend Rd, Weatherford, TX. Contact (817) 313-1515 or website: tejascarriageassociation.weebly.com.
Oct. 8-13th – The National Drive to be held at the Hoosier Horse Park, Edinburg, IN. Check website: nationaldrive.net or on FB.
Oct. 9th – ***NEW DATE***BVDRC’s monthly meeting will be WEDNESDAY at the Reliance Baptist Church Community Center, 6925 Reliance Church Rd., Bryan, TX. Not sure what the meal will be at this time. RSVP/Contact Tess Villarreal (979) 204-0426.
Oct. 10-13th – ***DATE CHANGE***BVDRC’s monthly informal ride will be a weekend ride at Train Robber Ranch 2692 Iron Bridge Rd., Rusk, TX 75785. Club has rented the facility. RSVP/contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189.
Oct. 12th – HACA is hosting a Combined Driving Navigator Clinic to be held at Stickle Farm and Arena, 196 Farris Lane, Smithville, TX 78957. Time is 9:30-12:00 noon. Paul Bennett will be the Clinician and Keith Yutzy will discuss the rules. There is no charge for this clinic, lunch is available for a $10 fee. RSVP to Cynthia Stickle (512) 925-9337.
Oct. 12-13th – Southwestern Donkey and Mule Society’s Spooktacular Show to be held in Lampasas, TX. Check website: swdonkeyandmulesociety.com.
Oct. 13th – Parade of Breeds Equine Event to be held in conjunction with the Brazos Co. Fair; Brazos Co. Expo, 5827 Leonard Rd, Bryan, TX77807. There will be a variety of equines on parade, a wide variety of vendors, test rides on different equines and a chance to get up close to many different breeds. More details will be forth coming as it gets closer. Contact Kathryn Kelly, email: Kathryn Kelly <mirrored.k.ranch@gmail.com>.
Oct. 19th – BVETR’s Founder’s Day fall meeting/elections, lunch, and ride to be held at the Diamond A Ranch in Wheelock, TX. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Oct. 19th – NavaRio Ranch Horse Series Show #4, to be held at Miracle Farm 10802 FM 2621, Brenham, TX 77833. Check website: Navarioranch.com or FB – NavaRio Ranch.
Oct. 19th – Freeze Branding and Microchipping Clinic sponsored by Brazos Extension Horse Committee. Will be held at Grenada Farms from 9:00-11:00 am. By Appointment only. Cost is $25 a head for Branding and $25/head for Microchipping. Contact Brazos Ext (979) 823-0129 or email: Brazos-TX@Ag.TAMU.edu.
Oct. 26th – BVETR’s annual Halloween Ride/Scavenger Hunt to be held at Millican Reserve, 19851 FM 2154, College Station, TX 77845. Cost is $30 and includes lunch (bring a chair). Costumes are optional. Check-in is @ 9:00 am, ride out @ 10:00 am. Contact Josy Bray (979) 820-6344) Check website: BVETR.org.
Oct. 26th – Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association’s Halloween Play Day to be held at the Limestone Co. Fairgrounds, Groesbeck, TX. There will be riding and driving events. Contact Debbie Halford (3281) 382-6271. Website: tdhma.org.
Oct. 31st – HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Beware of the spooks and goblins! 👻🎃🧙♂️
November, 2024
Nov. 2nd – Annual Brookwood Drive to be held at the Brookwood Home, Brookshire, TX. HACA members and other driving enthusiasts give carriage/cart rides to the residents. Drivers and volunteers are much needed and appreciated! Contact John Milligan (979) 574-3419 (cell) or email: Johnm@milliganranch.com.
Nov. 2nd – CHA Trail Challenge Fundraiser to be held at Curly Country Ranch, 2677 CR 112, Caldwell, TX. Ride out any time between 9-11:00 am. Fun obstacles! Divisions include In-Hand, Leadline, Youth, and Adult. Go to curlyhorseadvocates.org for more information; or contact Diane Mitchell at curlyhorseadvocates@gmail.com or text (979) 200-0332.
Nov. 8-10th – ***NEW DATE*** Pine Hill DT/CT sponsored by Houston Area Carriage Association (HACA) to be held in Bellville, TX. Check website: hacaclub.com.
Nov. 9th – BVDRC’s monthly informal ride to be held at 7iL Ranch in Bellville, TX. More details to come. Jim Wood (979) 422-0189.
Nov. 11th – HAPPY VETERANS DAY! Thank you for your service and sacrifice! 🇺🇸
Nov. 14th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting will be at the Reliance Baptist Church Community Center, 6925 Reliance Church Rd., Bryan, TX. This will be our election for 2025 officers/BOD and a Thanksgiving potluck dinner with Club providing the meat. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann, (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Nov. 15-17th – BVETR’s monthly informal ride will be a weekend ride at Parrie Haynes Ranch, 13816 Maxdale Rd., Killeen, TX 76549. cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Nov. 16th – TDHMA/Stickle Ranch Draft Horse Event to be held at Stickle Farm; 196 Farris Ln, Smithville, TX. Teams of horses and mules will be working the fields with assorted equipment; can also work in the arena. Hours are from 9am-4pm. Contact Stickle Farm (512) 360-7884. Website: tdhma.org.
Nov. 17th – ***CHANGE OF EVENT***NTW drive at Will #4 has been CANCELLED and will instead be a Youth Learning Day to be held at Willow Draw, 401 N. Bend Rd, Weatherford, TX. Contact Wendy O’Neill, wendydrives@gmail.com.
Nov. 28th – HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 🦃🍽🍁
December, 2024
Dec. 7th -BVETR’s Christmas Party. Details to follow when they become finalized. Website: BVETR.org.
Dec. 12th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting will include our popular Chinese Gift Exchange and our Cookie Exchange. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann, (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Dec. 15th – BVDRC’s Christmas Party will be at the Phillips Center, Bryan, TX. It will be a sit down meal, with a Raffle and a Silent Auction. Contact Denise Wood; (979) 422-0188 (cell/text) or email: 2chefdenise@gmail.com. BVDRC.com.
Dec. 15th – HACA’s Christmas party, pot luck, and drive at Windedale, TX. Details to follow when they become finalized. Website: Hacaclub.com
Dec. 24th – HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! – remember, Santa’s watching! 🎅🏻🎁
Dec. 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS! Happy Birthday, Jesus!✨🎄🤱🏻
January, 2025
Jan. 1st – HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉🎆
Jan. 9th – BVDRCs monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann, (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Jan. 25-26th – Fort Worth Stock Show Mule and Donkey Show. Check website: swdonkeyandmulesociety.com.
Jan. 29-31st – Carriage Association of America’s Winter Meeting at Grand Oaks, Resort, Weirsdale, FL. Check website for more info: carriageassociationofamerica.com.
Jan. 31st – The Grand Oaks Concours d’Attelage de Tradition to be held in Weirsdale, FL. Check website: carriageassocationofamerica.com.
February, 2025
Feb. 1-2nd – The Grand Oaks Classic Pleasure Driving Competition to be held in Weirsdale, FL. Check website: carriageassociationofamerical.com.
Feb. 13th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Listing of Trail Riding Options
There are numerous trail riding options around Texas. Here is a listing of some of them, and if you know of some that are not on this list, shoot me an email and let me know. Also check out the following trail riding clubs: Brazos Valley Driving and Riding Club that welcomes drivers and riders, BVDRC.com. Brazos Valley Equestrian Trail Riders is a local trail riding group, BVETR.org. Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association is a statewide trail riding/trail development club; TETRA.memberlodge.org.
Birch Creek Park at Lake Somerville in Somerville, TX (979) 535-7763 is now open to equestrians (they have been closed due to much flood damage from 2017).
Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 FM 762, Needville, TX 77461. They have 13 miles of multi use trails, and primitive equestrian campsites at the trailhead. Phone (979) 553-5102; website: tpwd.texas.gov and type in Brazos Bend State Park.
5D Ranch Riding Trails 6536 Joee Lane, Navasota, TX 77868. Their phone is (979) 204-2559; website: 5dranchnavasotatx.com.
7iL Ranch in Cat Springs, TX (south of Bellville). Equestrian trails, RV sites, stalls, lots of trails. Phone: (979) 236-5552, website: 7iLranch.com.
Ebenezer State Park, Recreation Road 255, Jasper, TX 75951. RV sites, corrals, trails, etc. Campground inquiries call (409) 384-5716. Website: recreation.gov., Recreation.gov phone 1 (877) 444-6777.
Granger Lake State Park/Corp of Engineers at Willis Creek on CR 346, Taylor, TX. Has equestrian trails, and a few hook-ups (not in real good shape; this is a better day use facility than overnight). Website: tpwd.tex.gov.
Indian Spirit Springs 4342 Dobrovolny Rd, Bryan, TX 77807. Phone is (979) 318-2411 or email: info@IndianSpiritSprings.com. Not sure if they are still actively open for trail riding. Do know that they have much more limited riding area than when they first opened.
Lazy F Guest Ranch; 15547 FM 1116, Smiley TX 78159; (210) 391-6378, website: lazyfguestranch.com.
Millican Reserve, 19851 FM 2154, College Station, TX 77845. You will need to get a Conservancy Trail pass for $10/month to ride unlimited amounts of time for each month you sign up for. Go to the website: millicanreserve.com, select the trail pass and sign up. (979) 985-5630.
Nails Creek Park at Lake Somerville; 6280 FM 180, Ledbetter, TX 78946 (979) 289-2392. This park is now open for camping and equestrian use. It is $5/person and $2/equine. They have quite a few nice trails and pens/primitive/RV camping sites available.
Parrie Haynes Ranch 13816 Maxdale Rd., Killeen, TX 76549. Phone (254) 394-0330, email: parriehaynesranch@gmail.com, website: parrierhaynesequestriancenter.com;.
Pole Canyon Ranch, 2601 FM 689; Quituque, TX 79255. Phone: (806) 455-1446; website: Pole canyon.com. This is a privately owned ranch with 6000+ acres of of canyons, creeks, well-marked trails. They have a guest house, RV sites, bathroom/showers, and corral pens.
Reynold’s Creek Park is a Corp of Engineer facility on the shores of Lake Waco. Some of their trails are driving friendly; there is about 19 miles of trails. Their address is 2885 N. Speegleville RD, Waco, TX 76712; phone: (254) 756-5359; Goggle “Reynold’s Creek Park, Waco, TX” to get information and/or make reservations.
Richards/Raven Equestrian Trail ***CURRENTLY TRAILS CLOSED due to all of the rain*** located in the Sam Houston National Forest. Address is 1773 FM 1791, Richards, TX 77873. This is a fairly new trail that just opened up. Check website: samhoustontrails.org. or Goggle Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail.
Rusty’s Walnut Creek Ranch, 394 Pleasant Chapel Rd, Cedar Creek, TX 78612. This facility is currently being run by Cedar Creek Saddle Club. You can trail ride here, but must give them 24 notice before arrival. Call (512) 567-1469 or heck website: cedarcreekhorse.com.
Six RS Ranch LP, 20081 FM 831, Oakwood, TX. Has RV sites, some stalls, pens, and a guest house. Contact Doris Ann (903) 388-0439 (cell/text) to reserve spots.
T bar S Horse Camp; 6387 FM 2781, Kennard, TX 75847. (832) 928-9584 (cell/text), website: TbarShorsecamp.com. This is a private facility that butts up against the Davy Crockett National Forest. Has RV sites, pens, etc. Lots of trails.
Train Robber Ranch; 2692 Iron Bridge Rd, Rusk, TX 75785. (281) 507-2714. Website: trainrobberranch.com. This facility is ONLY available by renting the WHOLE place. You cannot just show up and camp/ride there. They have a full facility – RV sites, bunkhouse, large house that sleeps a lot of people, stalls, pens, and access to Fairchild State Forest.