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.
July, 2024
July 4th – HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!🇺🇸🎆🎉
July 4th – Wheelock Annual 4th of July Parade. Will gather/start at the old Wheelock School, 10691 Cqvitt St., Wheelock, TX. Parade starts @ 10:00 am and is very equine friendly. There will be tasty BBQ plates sold afterwards for $15/plate. This is a fund raiser for the Wheelock School Contact (979) 255-9311 or (979) 828-4347, or FB: Friends of the Wheelock School House.
July 11th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting will be at the Reliance Baptist Church Community Center, 6925 Reliance Church Rd., Bryan, TX. The meal will be pizza and the cost is $5/person. You will need to RSVP to Tess Villareal (979) 204-0426 (cell/text).
July 13th – BVDRC/BVETR’s “Too Hot to Ride” Summer Pool Party to be held at the Woods’ home/pool, 8616 FM 2549, Hearne, TX 77859. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189.
July 13th – HACA’s summer meeting to be held at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, 1308 Prairie Lea St., Brenham, TX. Will begin with lunch at 11:00 and go to 2:00 pm or thereabouts. Check website: hacaclub.com.
July 28-30th – National NMDA (Nat. Mini Donkey Association)/ACOSA National Show to be held at the Ozark Empire Fair, 3001 N. Grant, Springfield, MO. Contact (417) 581-0020, or check FB under NMDA – 2024 National Show & ACOSA 2024 National Show.
August, 2024
Aug. 3-4th – Texas Derby Days, a driving competition to be held at the Leon Co. Expo Center; 3637 CR 305, Buffalo, TX 75831. Co-hosted by Houston Area Carriage Association and Tejas Carriage Association. Contact Keith Yutzy (979) 451-1895 or email: keith@lonestardartmoors.com.
Aug. 5th – Postmark Deadline for Horseman’s Market Day booth pre-registrations to be mailed. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 (cell/text), email: MarketDay@BVDRC.com or check website: BVDRC.com.
Aug. 8th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Aug. 16th -American Donkey Association’s Southeast Miniature Donkey Cluster Country Classic Show, Middle Tennessee Statue University Livestock Center, 1720 Greenland Dr., Murfreesboro, TN. Judge is Wayne Lyon. Contact website; americandonkeyassociation.com.
Aug. 17th – BVDRC’s Annual Horseman’s Market Day, to be held at the Brazos Co. Expo, 5827 Leonard Rd., Bryan, TX 77807. Buy, sell, trade all things equine. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 (cell/text), email: MarketDay@BVDRC.com or check website: BVDRC.com.
Aug. 17-18th – Music City NMDA and ACOSA Miniature donkey show hosted by the American Donkey Association. To be held at Middle Tennessee State University Livestock Center, 1720 Greenland Dr., Murfreesboro, TN. Judge is Karen Doby. Contact website; americandonkeyassociation.com.
Aug. 24-Sept. 2nd – National Chuckwagon Races, to be held at the Eoff Ranch, 2484 Shake Rag Road, Clinton, AR. Call (501) 745-8407, check website: chuckwagonraces.com.
Aug. 31-Sept. 1st – State Fair of Texas’ NMDA Donkey show. Check website for details: bigtex.com.
September, 2024
Aug. 24-Sept. 2nd – National Chuckwagon Races, to be held at the Eoff Ranch, 2484 Shake Rag Road, Clinton, AR. Call (501) 745-8407, check website: chuckwagonraces.com.
Sept. 2nd – HAPPY LABOR DAY!!
Sept. 6-8th – Villa Louis Carriage Classic Show to be held Prairie du Chien, WI. This is a driving competition. Contact (608) 326-4436 or email: info@carriageclassic.com; website: carriageclassic.com.
Sept. 12th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Sept. 14th – BVDRC’s informal monthly ride to be held at Richards/Raven Equestrian Trail in the Sam Houston National Forest. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
Sept. 21st- ***NEW LOCATION***BVETR’s monthly informal ride will be at Richards/Raven Trail in the Sam Houston Forest. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Sept. 21st NavaRio Ranch Horse Series Show #3 to be held at Miarcle Farm, 10802 FM 2621, Brenham, TX 77833. Check website: Navarioranch.com or FB – NavaRio Ranch.
Sept. 28th – NTW’s Drive at Will #3 to be held at Willow Draw, 401 N. Bend Rd, Weatherford, TX. Drive time is from 8:00 am-4:00 pm and cost is $20/cart ($30 for non-members). Contact (817) 313-1515 or website: ntw.clubexpress.com.
Sept. 28-Oct.6th – Carriage Association of America (CAA)’s trip to Portugal. Check website: carriageassociationofamerica.com.
October, 2024
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. 10th – BVDRC BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
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) 204-0426.
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 Kathryn Kelly <mirrored.k.ranch@gmail.com>.
Oct. 19th – BVETR’s Founder’s Day fall meeting, 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. 26th – BVETR’s annual Halloween Ride/Scavenger Hunt. Details to follow as they become finalized. 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. 9th – BVDRC’s monthly informal ride; details to follow when finalized. Jim Wood (979) 204-0426.
Nov. 9-10th – ***NEW DATE*** Pine Hill DT/CT sponsored by Houston Area Carriage Association (HACA) to be held in Bellville, TX. Contact Keith Yutzy (713) 805-7574 or email: keith@lonestardartmoors.com. Check website: hacaclub.com.
Nov. 14th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. 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 – NTW drive at Will #4 to be held at Willow Draw, 401 N. Bend Rd, Weatherford, TX. Drive time is from 8:00 am-4:00 pm and cost is $20/cart ($30 for non-members). Contact (817) 313-1515 or website: ntw.clubexpress.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. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann, (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Dec. 14th – HACA’s Christmas party and drive at Windedale, TX. Details to follow when they become finalized. Website: Hacaclub.com
Dec. 15th – BVDRC’s Christmas Party. Details to follow when they become finalized. BVDRC.com.
Dec. 24th – HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! – remember, Santa’s watching! 🎅🏻🎁
Dec. 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS! Happy Birthday, Jesus!✨🎄🤱🏻
Listing of Trail Riding Options
NOTE: DUE TO ALL OF THE RAIN, CHECK WITH THE ACTUALLY FACILITY TO BE SURE IT IS OPEN!!!!
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.