Wade House Carriage Driving Days

An Equine Competition Like No Other Come see horses of every size, shape, and color hitched to elegant carts and carriages compete for division championships. Celebrate the beauty and pageantry of the art of carriage driving during this rare three-day weekend of competitions in Wade House’s horse arena and throughout the grounds of the historic site. A horse-drawn carriage will transport you to the contest grounds, where you'll view the skill exhibited by both drivers and horses. Drivers will be dressed to impress in their best finery—ladies wearing elegant hats and gentlemen in dapper boaters will drive their horses in a series of competitive classes designed to test the skills of the drivers and the athleticism of the horses. The devil is in the details of this equestrian competition, as drivers try to impress the expert American Driving Society certified judges to win the coveted blue ribbon. At the competition ring witness a variety of carriages—genuine antiques, reproductions and even modern vehicles. Watch the action up close! You’ll thrill at the sounds of the horses breathing and feel their footfall as they demonstrate different gaits and navigate courses under the subtle commands of their drivers.