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CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
On the Shores of Lake Chautauqua
In Beautiful Western, New York
  
Beth Boyle driving Morgan Mare, Twig Penny Kent driving Paint stallion, Stetson
THE 22nd ANNUAL C.C.H.A SLEIGH RALLY
by Beth Maxwell Boyle
The Chautauqua Institution will once more be the site for the Chautauqua Country
Horseman's Assn. Sleigh Rally. The 22nd
Annual CCHA Sleigh Rally will be held Feb. 4th in 2001. The Annual CCHA
Sleigh Rally will surely again be a gala event for horsemen and spectators alike
The 2000 Rally was a huge success with over 50 horses entered.
We believe there will be a good turn out of horses and drivers again in 2001!
The first Annual CCHA Sleigh Rally was held in Randolph , New York in 1979 and
a blizzard trapped the participants with their horses overnight in Randolph. Despite the
rough start the rally was held again the next year. Latter the rally moved to Cockaigne Ski
Resort and then to its current location in historic Chautauqua Institution.
Chautauqua has been a wonderful place for the rally with its snow covered streets
and beautiful Victorian setting. Photographers delight in positioning themselves along
the shady streets and by the lakefront to snap photos of the horses and sleighs against the
back drop of gingerbread houses and grand hotels!
The Rally will start at 10:30 in the morning on the Jamestown side of the
Chautauqua Diner and the Fire House. The classes for draft horses will run first to free
the teamsters to give rides to the public for the rest of the day. The Stateline Draft horse
Club charges a small fee to people who would like a hay ride on the bob sleighs through
the grounds of Chautauqua. This is a favorite activity for the people who turn out to
enjoy the day! Both local and out of town folk delight in the winter spectacle in old
Chautauqua.
At around noon when the draft horse classes are finished the contestants and their
sleighs will line up to parade through Chautauqua in the class known as the Currier and
Ives Drive. This is the must see class for spectators, many people call the CCHA Sleigh
Rally the Currier and Ives Sleigh Rally because of this wonderful class.
There are separate divisions for light horse, pony, draft and team.
This class is the favorite of entrants and spectators alike as it is the most beautiful and
traditional part of the day. It is a splendid sight to see all the horses and sleighs going
down the streets lined with beautiful old homes and shade trees. You can see dashing
Portland cutters, bob sleighs, and graceful, swanlike Albany Cutters! You can see noble
black Percheron draft horses and tiny ponies. Every year people admire the nimble
Morgan horses with arched necks prancing down the snow covered avenues all the while
making music with their merry sleigh bells.
The Currier and Ives class is judged on the suitability of the horse to the sleigh and
on the overall turnout of driver, horse, and vehicle as well as the skill of the horse and
driver. The entrants drive back to the starting point to hear the judge announce the winner
of each division of the Currier and Ives Drive. Ribbons will be awarded in first through
fourth places.
There are classes held after the Currier and Ives Drive in the arena next to the fire
house. These classes are judged more on the skills of horse and driver with some points
given for neatness of attire, suitability of harness and vehicle etc. Ribbons will be given
for first through fourth place in each class. The contestants may be asked to walk, trot,
stand or proceed at a working or extended trot. Ponies, mules, donkeys, and light horses
all show in these classes which run for most of the day. At the same time in an area close
to the main arena drivers can test their skill in the timed trot and obstacle course. Another
class that is unusual and fun is the ride and drive. The entrants are first judged driving
their horses, they unhook and saddle up and are then judged on horseback. This class
mixes horses and ponies in the same class.
The CCHA will again be raffling off a strap of solid brass sleigh bells by Smuckers
Harness Shop for one dollar a chance. They will be for sale from now on and on the
day of the Rally.
For pre-rally tickets call Julie
Minor of Frewsburg, NY at 716-569-3842. All proceeds from the raffle
are to benefit the CCHA Sleigh Rally Fund.
Inexpensive food and drink will be available in the Fire Hall during the Rally and
folks can warm up while they enjoy the homemade treats made by the Chautauqua
Fireman's Auxiliary. We hope you can come out and celebrate with us. Chautauqua
County is beautiful in the winter! Come see the horses and join in the fun!
The CCHA Sleigh Rally is one of the few sleigh rallies in the country that have
been held continuously for 22 years! Come Celebrate the New Century with us!
If there is not enough snow the event will go on with carriages and carts. For more
information and local weather conditions call Julie Minor at
716-569-3842 or e-mail her at:
Be sure to check out our other pages dedicated to sleighs, driving and bells!
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