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.
April, 2024
April 5-6th – Arrow K Ranch will be having a fun Ride and Drive at their ranch. Address is 1960 CR 324, Navasota, TX 77868. All equines are welcome. Contact # (936) 870-7345.
April 11th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting to be held at Reliance Baptist Church Community Center, 6925 Reliance Church Rd., Bryan, TX. The meal will be a potluck/no cost. You will need to RSVP to Tess Villarreal (979) 204-0426, and also let her know what you will be bringing.
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 12-14th – Willow Draw DT & CT to be held at 401 N. Bend Rd, Weatherford, TX. This is an ADS recognized event. Contact Karen Barthel (682) 561-6896 or email: kbarthel221@gmail.com. Also check ADS ominbous: americandrivingassociation.org.
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 15th – INCOME TAXES ARE DUE! 😱🤑
April 20th – NavaRio Ranch Horse show #2, to be held at Miracle Farm, 10802 FM 2621, Brenham, TX 77833. Check website: Navarioranch.com or FB – NavaRio Ranch.
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 20th – NTW’s Drive at Will #1 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.
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.
April 30-May 6th – CAA’s Trip to the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor, United Kingdom. Check website: carriageassociationofamerica.com.
May, 2024
April 30-May 6th – CAA’s Trip to the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor, United Kingdom. Check website: carriageassociationofamerica.com.
May 4th – HACA will be hosting a trail drive/ride at the Morris Ranch in Wharton, TX. Details are being finalized, so look for details coming soon. Check website: hacaclub.com.
May 5th – NTW’s Drive at Will #1 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.
May 6-10th – McLennan Community College and CHA is having a Skills & Driver Certification workshop at the Highlander Ranch, Waco, TX. Contact # is (254) 299-8553.
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 – Oklahoma Harness Horse Association Cowboy Country DT/CT, Payne Co, Expo Center; 4518 Expo Cir. E, Stillwater, OK 74075. Contact (405) 377-1275, or check American Driving Society Omnibus for details..
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. You will need to sign up with Jim as Club has to rent the whole facility. Website: trainrobberranch.com. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
May 11-12th – Southwestern Donkey & Mule Society’s clASSic Show to be held at Legends Horse Ranch, 3018 FM 2578, Kaufman, TX 75142. More details to follow. Check website: swdonkeyandmulesociety.com.
May 12th – MOTHER’S DAY! Tell your mom you love her! ❤️
May 16-19th – ***NEW DATE/FACILITY*** BVETR’S monthly informal ride will be at T bar S Horse Camp; 6387 FM 2781, Kennard, TX 75847. You will need to make your own camping reservations: TbarShorsecamp.com. Contact Cindy Allen, email: cindystewartallen@gmail.com, (979) 224-3661 (cell/text), (979) 828-4123 (H). Check website/FB; BVETR.org/BV-Equestrian TrailRiders.
May 18-19th – HACA will be having a work weekend to set up Pine Hill for the upcoming Pine Hill DT/CT on May 25/26. Contact Keith Yutzy (713) 805-7574 or email: keith@lonestardartmoors.com.
May 23-28th – Racing on the Ridge Chuckwagon Races and Western Event to be held at Whiskey Ridge Ranch, 26338 Hwy. 84; Malvern, AR 72104. Check website: whiskeyridgeranch.net.
May 24-26th – 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.
May 25-26th – GHQHA Open All Breed Performance and Ranch show to be held at the Brazos Co. Expo, 5827 Leonard Rd., Bryan, TX 77807. Check FB or the Expo’s Calendar for more information. Brazoscountyexpo.com.
May 27th – MEMORIAL DAY! A day to remember those that gave their all! 🇺🇸✝️
June, 2024
June 4-7th – Brazos Extension Horse Committee’s 2024 Texas A&M University Horsemanship School to be held at Still Creek Arena, 5900 Hearne Rd., Bryan, TX. The Adult Clinic is June 4-5th for $75 and the Youth clinic is June 6-7th for $100. Contact Brazos Extension Horse Committee for more information; brazoshorse.org.
June 7-9th – BVDRC’s informal monthly ride will be an overnight ride at Six RS. Watch for emails with more details. Contact Jim Wood (979) 422-0189 cell/text.
June 13th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
June 15th – BVETR’s summer 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.
June 16th – FATHER’S DAY! Tell your dad you love him!❤️
June 21-22nd – Breeder’s Classic LLC Miniature Donkey Sale to be held at GauxPro Performance Horse Facility, 5585 W. Belle Center Rd., Joplin, MO 64801. ContactLaDonna Mangile (417) 438-5841 or email: mangilelk@gmail.com.
July, 2024
July 4th – HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!🇺🇸🎆🎉
July 4th – Wheelock Annual 4th of July Parade. Will gather/start at the old Wheelock School, Wheelock, TX. Watch for more details. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
July 11th – BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
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 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 (713) 805-7574 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 Statue 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.
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.
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. 10th – BVDRC BVDRC’s monthly meeting. More details as date gets closer. Contact Lee Fuermann (979) 777-9239 or email: farriershop@icloud.com.
Oct. 11-13th – 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. More details to follow.. Check website: swdonkeyandmulesociety.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. 31st – HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Beware of the spooks and goblins! 👻🎃🧙♂️
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 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.