2023 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.
November, 2023
Nov. 3-11th – Pinto Color Breed, Longear, and Open Ranch Congress to be held in Tulsa, OK. Check website: www.pinto.org.
Nov. 5th – DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ends! Set your clocks BACK an hour. ⏰
Nov. 5th – ***CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN*** NTW’s recreational “Drive at Will” to be held at Willow Draw, 401 North Bend Rd.; Weatherford, TX 76085. Contact phone is (817) 313-1515.
Nov. 7-8th – HACA’s work days to set up course for Pine Hill DT/CT. (This is a Tuesday/Wed. work day). Contact Trisha Clements (512) 706-6336, email: trishaclements@hotmail.com. Also check HACA website: hacaclub.com.
Nov. 9th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting will be held at Reliance Baptist Church Community Center, 6925 Reliance Church Rd., Bryan, TX. This will be our elections meeting so please try to attend! We will be having a Thanksgiving themed potluck meal with the Club providing the turkey and members bringing their favorite holiday sides. RSVP to Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 (cell/text).
Nov. 10-11th – Nava Rio Ranch Horse Show and Clinic Series #6 to be held at Miracle Farm, 10802 FM 2621, Brenham, TX. 77833 There will be a Jeremy Dull Horsemanship Clinic on Friday. Check website: navarioranch.com, or FB page.
Nov. 10-12th – HACA Pine Hill Driving Trial/Combined Trial, Bellville, TX. Contact Trisha Clements, (512) 705-6336, email: trishaclements@hotmail.com; website: hacaclub.com, and/or ADS omnibus.
Nov. 11th – VETERAN’S DAY
Nov. 11th – BVDRC’s informal monthly ride to be held at Millican Reserve, 19851 FM 2154, College Station, TX. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
Nov. 18th – TDHMA’s Field Day, 196 Farris Lane, Smithville, TX. Field work with draft horses/mules. Check FB – Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association.
Nov. 19th – BVETR’s informal ride will be a Ladies Overnight Ride at the Diamond A Ranch, Wheelock, TX. More details when ride gets closer. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Nov. 23rd – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Give thanks for what you have! 🦃 🍽
December, 2023
Dec. 2nd – BVETR’s Christmas party. More details as date gets closer. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Dec. 9th – NTW Christmas Party to be held at the Weatherford College Technology Building, 225 College Park Dr., Weatherford, TX 76086 from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Watch for emails and/or check website: new.clubexpress.com.
Dec. 9th – HACA’s Christmas at Winedale, TX meeting and ride. There will be a meeting, pot luck lunch and Christmas drive (decorate your carts and carriages) at the restored Winedale Village. Contact Terry Arnold (713) 703-3856 or Cynthia (512) 925-9337. Check website: Hacaclub.com.
Dec. 10th – BVDRC’s Christmas party to be held at Casa Do Brasil (same place as last year). We will have our meal and raffle. Contact Denise Wood (979) 422-0188 or email: 2chefdenise@gmail.com.
Dec. 14th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting to be held at Reliance Baptist Church Community Center, 6925 Reliance Church Rd., Bryan, TX. This will be a combination of a short meeting, cookie exchange, and our annual Chinese gift exchange. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Dec. 24th – Better be good – Santa’s watching you!! 🎅🏻🎄
Dec. 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! 🎂🤱🏻✨
Dec. 31-Jan. 1st – BVDRC’s New Year’s Day Ride will be an overnight or day ride (your choice) at Reynold’s Creek Park, 2885 N. Speegleville, Rd., Waco, TX 76712. You will need to make your own overnight reservations. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
January, 2024
Jan. 1st – HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome 2024!! 🥳🎇🎉
Dec. 31-Jan. 1st – BVDRC’s New Year’s Day Ride will be an overnight or day ride (your choice) at Reynold’s Creek Park, 2885 N. Speegleville, Rd., Waco, TX 76712. You will need to make your own overnight reservations. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
Jan. 11th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Jan 13th – BVDRC’s monthly informal ride will be the Pond-2-Pond ride at Mike and Martha Dodd’s, 5435 CR 119, Caldwell, TX 77836. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
Jan. 13th – TDHMA 41st Annual Meeting to be held at the Ledbetter Volunteer Fire Department, 301 W. Labadie, Ledbetter, TX. This will be the annual business meeting and membership luncheon. Hours will be 11:00 am to 2:00 PM.
Jan. 13th – HACA’s membership meeting to be held at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant. 1308 Prairie Lea Street, Brenham, TX 77833. Check website: Hacaclub.com.
Jan. 20th – BVETR’s monthly informal ride will be at Millican Reserve. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Jan. 25-27th – CAA’s International Carriage Symposium to be held in Herndon, Virginia. Check website: carriageassociationofamerica.com.
February, 2024
Feb. 8th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Feb. 10-11th – BVDRC’s monthly informal ride will be an overnight ride at Parrie Haynes Ranch, 13816 Maxdale Rd., Killeen, TX 76549. They have primitive camping, RV sites, cabins and pens at this facility. You will need to make your own reservations for the camping arrangement that you want. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
Feb. 14th – HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Tell our sweetie you love ‘em! ❤️
Feb. 17th – BVETR’s monthly informal ride will be at Richards/Raven Trail in the Sam Houston National 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.
March, 2024
Mar. 9-12 – BVDRC’s monthly informal ride will be at Ebenezer Ebenezer State Park, Recreation Road 255, Jasper, TX 75951. This is an overnight/multiple day ride as it is Spring Break. You will need to make your own reservations. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
Mar. 10th – DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS! Set your clocks AHEAD 1 hour. ⏰
Mar. 14th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Mar. 16th – BVETR’S monthly informal ride will be at T bar S Horse Camp; 6387 FM 2781, Kennard, TX 75847. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Mar. 17th – HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!! 🍀🎩
Mar. 31st – HAPPY EASTER!! 🐥🐇✝️
April, 2024
April 11th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
April 13th – BVDRC’s monthly informal ride will be at 5D Ranch, 6536 Joee Lane, Navasota, TX 77868. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
April 12-21st – 1836 Chuckwagon Races to be held at the Diamond B Ranch, 11589 FM 321, Palestine, TX 75803. Check website: 1836chuckwagonrace.com.
April 15th – INCOME TAXES ARE DUE! 😱🤑
April 20th – BVETR’s monthly informal ride to be held at 7iL Ranch in Cat Springs, TX (south of Bellville). Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
April 25-28th – The National Drive’s Spring drive to be held at Hoosier Horse Park, Edinburgh, IN. This is a pleasure driving event open to all breeds, turnouts, etc. Contact website: nationaldrive.net.
May, 2024
May 9th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
May 10-12th – BVDRC’s monthly informal ride will be an overnight at Train Robber Ranch, 2692 Iron Bridge Rd, Rusk, TX 75785. (281) 507-2714. Website: trainrobberranch.com. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
May 12th – MOTHER’S DAY! Tell your mom you love her! ❤️8
May 18th – BVETR’s informal monthly ride will be at Reynold’s Creek, Lake Waco, 2885 N. Speegleville RD, Waco, TX 76712. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
Listing of Trail Riding Options
NOTE: 7 D RANCH HAS BEEN SOLD AND IS NO LONGER OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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.
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.
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: parriehaynesequestriancenter.com;
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 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 west of Bastrop and is suitable for driving also. Has arenas, bunkhouses, pens, RV sites, and trails. Their phone is (512) 304-5880, website: rustyswalnutcreekranch.net.
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.