by Maria McGinnis, marketing coordinator, American Driving Society

Cross Plains, WI — Members and friends of the American Driving Society are encouraged to attend the 39th annual members meeting, which will be held Sept. 26-29 in Aiken, S.C.

Registration is open now until Sept. 6. Registration will be $145 for members and $175 for non-members. A-la-carte pricing is available.

The ADS members meeting is presented in part by a generous grant offered by the City of Aiken to encourage tourism and commerce. The purpose of the members meeting is to connect ADS enthusiasts involved in all areas of the diverse sport of carriage driving.

“The members meeting is an excellent opportunity to learn from fellow drivers, explore the beautiful surroundings of Aiken and make new friends,” says Susie Koos-Acker, ADS executive director.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their equines to the event. Stabling reservations at the Aiken Training Track are available for $60 per horse at the time of registration. Three separate driving events will be held in conjunction with the meeting including a parade, a drive through the local Audubon Preserve and a drive through Hitchcock Woods. Speakers, including Muffy Seaton, Shelly Temple and Jeff Morse, will focus on the topic “Second Careers for Equines” designed to offer attendees training information for equines new to driving.

In an effort to work together for an overall enhanced event, the 2013 Lipizzan Symposium will be co-located with the ADS annual member meeting in Aiken.

“Working together with our partners allows for both events to be larger and offer greater amenities,” Koos-Acker added.

A full agenda, travel information and registration details are available on the ADS website. You can also find more information about the members neeting on the ADS Facebook and Pinterest pages. Please contact us with questions at info@americandrivingsociety.org or call 608.237.7382.

Established in 1974, the American Driving Society Inc. is the carriage driving affiliate to the United States Equestrian Federation, representing carriage drivers in the United States and Canada. More than 90 ADS recognized competitions are held across North America each year. For more information on the ADS visit www.americandrivingsociety.org.