Welcome to the Dog River Horse Club website. Please feel free to wander through at your leisure, discovering what we have to offer all horse lovers. You can find downloadable forms on the next page.
Where we are located DRHC has its large standard size riding arena located at Carpenter Park just off Route 110 in Washington, VT. Trail rides and other events are held throughout the area wherever a member wishes to host one.
Meetings, which are held most months, are either at the park, at the Washington Town Clerk's office, or at members' homes throughout the local region.
Our purpose DRHC is a family oriented club for horse enthusiasts of all ages to encourage, stimulate and promote riding, driving, in-hand, learning, or simply enjoying the closeness of their pasture pal(s). We welcome all abilities of the person and horse, and strongly encourage varied horse events.
Our history Founded in 1991, the Dog River Horse Club, or DRHC, has continued to thrive on the enthusiasm of area and non-area horse lovers. We currently have several three-generational families who are active in the club.
What DRHC has to offer All members are welcomed to use the ring anytime they wish for personal practice when there is not a previously scheduled club event being held there. It's a no exclusivity policy other than a scheduled club event, and members must share the arena with each other. Due to having more and varied events at the ring, we may need to close it prior to certain events so that it can be set up. Times to be closed is dependent upon the availability of the volunteers. Please check back here on the events page or check the Facebook events file to see if/when is closed.
There is plenty of room for horse trailer parking behind the ring near the sand pit, and there is also an outhouse nearby. Members are encouraged to use the club's gymkhana and trail obstacles, following the rules posted on the building. Items include barrels, poles, bridge, mailbox, pedestal, foam mats, and more. There is also a mounting block left there for members' use.
Manure must be removed from inside and around the arena-a future fork and receptacle is always at the ring, and members are to put the manure within the cement manure pit. **The town recreation department has stipulated that no horses are allowed onto the ball field.**
DRHC's members continue to suggest, host and work on many various family friendly activities throughout each year. Included, but not limited to, are trail class challenges, English and Western dressage schooling shows, trail rides (including a St. Jude's benefit ride), clinics, an annual weekend Father's Day ride held in Chelsea, VT, various group trail rides held throughout the state, an annual fall foliage ride, a poker ride, and the annual three gymkhana circuit held each summer at the Carpenter Park arena.
We also have a riding/driving log program with awards given, see the downloadable form on the forms page.
Members are encouraged to present ideas for other events or meetings to the Board of Directors for discussion and approval.
We host an annual tack auction in November at the Canadian Club in Barre, VT. Please spread the word as this is open to the public .
Every two years in the spring, DRHC has a tack sale that is opened to the public where members may bring unwanted items to sell, with a small portion of the proceeds going to the club. The next one will be in 2021.
DRHC has a Christmas party every December, also held at the Canadian Club, at a discounted meal cost to the members. Here the year end awards are presented for certain arena events. (other events may have club-sponsored ribbons presented at the time of the event)
A monthly newsletter is sent via email or snail mail to all current members. Members may send in classifieds which are printed only for three consecutive newsletters, unless the editor is asked to continue them.
Membership DRHC has a yearly membership fee that goes the calendar year, January 1 through December 31. The current cost is just $15 per year for a single member 18 or over, or $20 per year for the entire immediate family consisting of parent(s) or guardian(s) and children under the age of 18. This gives access to all club events, use of the ring, and a discounted price for the Christmas party dinner. Membership fees do not include the registration costs for certain club events such as the gymkhanas, trail challenges, the poker ride, and some clinics.
What DRHC asks of members DRHC asks that members have an enjoyable and safe time at all events, spread the word and encourage others to join, and come on over for the few readying and cleaning up days! This club is for all, and all help and suggestions are welcomed.
Our Facebook presence You can find DRHC's Facebook page by clicking on the f button on the upper right hand side of this page. The FB page is only for sharing information about club events. Classifieds may be sent to Lois to be included on this web page or to Annette to be included in the newsletter. You can also find club forms to download. This is a private Facebook page so you have to ask to join.
