By Annette Sullivan

The growing interest in pleasure driving has inspired the creation of a Newtown Driving Association. The club gives driving enthusiasts a chance to meet and drive with others who share a love of carriage driving and horses.  It also provides a forum for sharing information on driving and seeks to promote safe environments for horse drawn vehicles.

The Newtown Driving Association held its’ first picnic drive on Saturday September 25 at a private farm in Sandy Hook. Drivers were able to test their skill in both open fields and wooded trails as well as on an obstacle course of cones.  Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a late lunch in the barnyard and discussed the merits of a driving club in Newtown.

Driving is a rapidly growing sport within the horse community.  It has diversified into several disciplines including combined driving and pleasure driving.  In many cases, driving horses are often trained and worked on public roadways.  “The roads can be a dangerous place for horses because motorists often do not slow down and pass carriages on blind curves,” stated Cara Leigh Wilson one of the event’s organizers. “As a club we hope to create a better public awareness of how to respond when a horse is encountered on the road. Motorists unfamiliar with horses need to slow down when approaching a horse giving them a wide berth when passing, this makes the roads safer for everyone to use.”

The NDA plans to organize more picnic drives in and around Newtown this fall for all enthusiasts.  They are also looking forward to planning a sleigh rally during the winter.   In the future, the NDA hopes to have public exhibitions so all the residents of Newtown may come to enjoy the sport and beauty of carriage driving.

Anyone interested in joining the Newtown Driving Association should contact Annette Sullivan at 426-9907 or Cara Leigh Wilson at 426-9902.