A Belfast-based club that organized horse shows for 70 years has been brought back to life by volunteers, including some whose families belonged to it for generations.
The Waldo County Riding and Driving Club was formed by a group of local families in 1954 to promote interest in showing, riding and driving horses, which is using them to pull riders in carts; after hosting decades of shows, it died out in 2020, citing a lack of interest from members and riders.
But the club’s presence and community function was missed, so in 2024, longtime participants held a meeting to see if anyone was interested in reviving it.
Rebecca Russ, whose parents were founding members of the original club, wasn’t sure what to expect from that first gathering at her house.
“About 20 people showed up and they said, ‘Hey, we’ll support you, we’ll help any way we can,’” said Russ, who’s now the secretary.
Heading into its third renewed season, the resurrected club has been steadily making improvements to its Lincolnville Road headquarters, growing membership, expanding show categories and working to stay alive for the long term. It brought back one of a dwindling number of small shows for horse owners in the region and offers community gatherings that keep local heritage alive.
“Most of the members and volunteers here have showed here,” said President Penney Bailey, who also was involved in the group while growing up. “So we wanted to see it come back…it’s a nice piece of property, a nice ring. We’re encouraging people to come out and have some fun.”
In the 1950s, the club held its shows at the Belfast Airport before purchasing 2.25 acres on Lincolnville Road in 1960, buying another parcel to double its size four years later. The grounds include a show ring, cook shack, secretary’s booth, room for parking and an old practice ring members are working to bring back into use.
In 2024, the property was overgrown from years of dormancy, and buildings needed repair.
Local businesses have stepped in to sponsor the club and helped with supplies for repairs and memorial trophies, as have neighbors and volunteers who make it possible for the club to keep running. Membership is up to about 30, and shows draw competitors from neighboring counties, along with people who grew up participating and now watch their grandchildren compete.
“We’re lucky that we get the support that we have to get this up and going and still going,” Bailey said. “And it takes a lot of people to make this happen.”
This year’s schedule includes 42 classes, or specific judged events, for kids and adults. It includes English and Western riding styles, showmanship – which judges how a person leads and handles a horse on the ground – games and a costume contest. At lunch, kids compete at Simon Says and musical chairs using hobby horse ponies made from pool noodles.
New events are being added and members are open to suggestions and other competitors – miniature horses, mules and zebras are all welcome, they said.
This year’s shows include some new “ranch” events simulating tasks for working horses, which Baily and Russ don’t have experience with but said they’re game to figure out.
They’ve also added classes for the Maine Appaloosa Horse Club, another group that’s trying to rebuild participation, and plans to help them with another event this summer.
“If people don’t start helping each other out, these horse shows are going to go to the wayside,” Bailey said.
Longtime members have seen lots of change beyond the decline in the number of clubs.
In the 1960s, Russ remembers the grounds were packed at shows; many members lived near downtown Belfast and kept horses at home. She grew up riding ponies freely around town with friends every weekend, she said, and her kids similarly spent their days outside with neighborhood kids.
But it’s been years since either owned a horse of her own – rising costs of everything from hay to horseshoes to vet care make it more like a luxury these days.
Still, they’ve kept their saddles. Being with horses “gets into the blood,” Bailey and Russ agreed.
Driving horses also is less popular today, they said, though the club keeps it on the schedule among fun events. They also try to keep costs reasonable.
“We want the kids to enjoy themselves and learn,” she said. “I mean, we’ll help anybody. We’re here to help you. If you’ve got a problem or you need something fixed, we’re here.”
For longtime competitors, the shows are also a social gathering and chance to reconnect. It only takes one person to run the gate, but the post is surrounded by six chairs that are all occupied throughout the day. Older members get together at shows to talk about memories and past events.
They also hope the younger generation will get involved in leading the club.
“We’re going to keep this going as long as we can,” Bailey said.
This year’s shows are scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 28, July 26, Aug. 23 and Sept. 27 at 190 Lincolnville Avenue in Belfast. Admission and parking are free for spectators.
