Sport Horses
Morgan versatility shines in the Sport Horse divisions
Whether you’re a classical dressage fan or an event rider, a competitive or pleasure trail rider, or have another sport you enjoy in an equine partnership, Morgans can do it all!
The Kings of Carriage Driving
Like everything else they do, Morgan horses excel in carriage driving and are respected around the world for their stamina, intelligence, quickness and athleticism. Their strong bonds to their humans make them ideal for recreational and competitive carriage driving.
Sport Horse Committee Chair
Robin Anne McNabb
Morgans & Carriage Driving
There are many ways to enjoy your Morgan carriage horse in competition. Pleasure Shows can contain a wide range of classes, including paces, ring classes (such as Reinsmanship), driven dressage, and obstacles (such as a scurry or pick your route). Drivers in Pleasure Shows often compete in beautifully restored antique vehicles, but modern vehicles are also widespread.
Combined Driving Events (CDEs) are based on ridden three-day eventing and consist of driven dressage, a marathon phase with obstacles, and timed obstacles. Different, shorter versions of CDEs include Driving Trials, Arena Driving Trials, and Combined Tests. Driving Derbies, which are modeled after World Cup Driving in Europe, are becoming more popular in the United States. This type of competition consists of a combined course of cones and marathon-type obstacles driven at speed and can be thrilling for driver and spectator alike.
More information about the different types of carriage driving competitions, as well as other basic information of interest to drivers, can be found here.
If competition does not appeal to you and you’d rather just hitch up your Morgan and go for a drive in the country, New York State has several parks that have trails suitable for carriages. While there are many more parks that have equestrian trails, trails for carriage driving must have the proper width and footing. The American Driving Society lists these New York parks in their Northeast Trail Guide:
New York State and surrounding states sport many local driving clubs that often organize recreational drives for their members. These clubs can be a great resource to find safe and fun places in your area to enjoy your Morgan carriage horse. The American Driving Society has a list of northeastern driving clubs here, and some of their members are bound to be Morgan owners!
2025 Sport Horse Shows & Events
MARCH - Miscellaneous Sport Events
March 29-30: USAWE Working Equitation Clinic with Stephanie Hayes, North Chatham, NY
APRIL - Carriage Driving
April 29: GMHS monthly Wheelrunners Clinic (with Robin Groves), South Woodstock, VT
APRIL - Dressage
April 13: Dressage & Combined Training Schooling Show, North Chatham, NY
April 26-27: Mystic Valley Dressage, Bethany, CT
APRIL - Miscellaneous Sport Events
April 6: ENYDTCA Jumping Clinic with Margie Hutchison, North Chatham, NY
April 27: Arena Derby, North Chatham, NY
MAY - Carriage Driving
May 6: GMHA monthly Wheelrunners Clinic (with Robin Groves), South Woodstock, VT
May 7: Colonial Carriage & Driving Society Annual Spring Clinic, Stockbridge, MA
May 10: Annual Bruce Haak Memorial Drive, Chenango Valley State Park
May 16-18: Driving Clinic with Tracey Morgan, Morrisville, NY
May 17-18: Gladstone (GEA) CT and DT, Gladstone, NJ
MAY - Dressage
May 4: Sperry View Farm Dressage, Bethany, CT
May 10-11: HITS Hudson Valley Dressage, Saugerties, NY
May 17-18: Spring Bear Spot Foundation Dressage Benefit I & II, Concord, MA
May 18: LIDA Presents Dressage at Caumsett, Lloyd Harbor, NY
May 18: Dressage & Combined Training Schooling Show, North Chatham, NY
May 25: Dressage at Maplewood Warmbloods, Middleton, NY
May 30-31: Houghton University Spring Dressage I & II, Houghton, NY
MAY - Miscellaneous Sport
May 3: Gymnastics Jumping Clinic with Barb Lindberg, Fabius, NY
May 17: Spring Hunter Pace & Poker Run, Barneveld, NY
May 30-June 1: Ranch Horse Competition, Cobleskill, NY
JUNE - Carriage Driving
June 4-7: Connecticut Morgan Horse Show, W. Springfield, MA
June 7: Spring Competitive Trail Ride & Drive, South Woodstock, VT
June 14: Crazy About Cones Fun Day/Clinic, New Woodstock, NY
June 28-29: Driving Clinic with Suzy Stafford, Scotia-Glenville, NY. See Stockade Polo & Saddle Club Facebook page for details.
June 29: SNECDA AT & CT, Brooklyn, CT
June 29: Driving Show (pleasure & CT), Barneveld, NY
JUNE - Dressage
June 7-8: MVHC Spring Dressage Show, Gales Ferry, CT
June 8: Dressage & Combined Training Schooling Show, North Chatham, NY
June 13-15: GMHA June Dressage Day, South Woodstock, VT
June 14-15: HITS Hudson Valley Dressage, Saugerties, NY
June 22: CNYD & CTA Spring Opener Schooling Show, Jamesville, NY
June 28-29: Mount Holyoke College Dressage Show, South Hadley, MA
June 29: Dressage at Kirby Hill Farm, Pawling, NY
JUNE - Miscellaneous Sport
June 22: CNYD & CTA Spring Opener Schooling Show, Jamesville, NY
June 29: Horse Trials at Larkin Hill, North Chatham, NY