I Witnessed An Actual Amish Buggy Race (27 Photos)

Following our look at an Amish buggy-race-that-wasn’t, Don Burke shares more behind that story – and adds another layer, showing us an actual Amish buggy race in a different settlement.

Don first gives us some background on the community where this took place (Clark, Missouri) – then a closer look at a youth buggy race that should probably come with a “don’t try this at home” warning.

Several months back, Amish America posted a photo-feature entitled “An Amish ‘Buggy Race’” from Jamesport, Missouri.

As the article went on to explain, what at first sight looked to be a buggy-vs.-buggy speed challenge was actually one buggy finally getting a chance to pass a slower moving buggy….but which nonetheless evoked smiles and looks of excitement from the children in the passing open buggy.

But that isn’t to say that all appearances of Amish buggy races aren’t what they seem.

The Amish of Clark, Missouri

My familiarity with Clark – another larger Missouri Amish community – isn’t nearly as extensive as my experiences with Jamesport. I have made three passing visits, any of which likely lasted no more than 2-3 hours.

But through those limited exposures to this community I picked up on some of its individual character: Buggies without windshields.

Many (but not all) buggies without the SMV triangle which are common in many settlements.

Limited use of reflectors or reflective strips on the back of buggies, and the use of kerosene lamps mounted on the side of buggies to be seen by cars at night.

Clark homes looked fairly typical for Amish, although a few had less-frequently found ice houses adjacent to the house.

Others appear to utilize electric-powered refrigerator shacks scattered around the community – buildings typically owned by the English, but where the Amish can rent space to keep food-stuff cold.

Additionally some houses sported water-collection tanks, with outdoor wood-burning water-heating tanks nearby.

We received hearty waves from children as we passed an Amish schoolhouse or an occasional passing buggy, and had a quite warm and enjoyable visit with a retired leather shop owner after stopping in to buy some goodies at his wife’s in-home bakery.

But on the other hand, we did not receive an overly-warm welcome as we stopped in three of the local Amish stores.

In short, the community fits the typical nature of the traditional Amish that make up this settlement – carrying an air of being a bit on the quiet and maybe even stoic side, but not so much as to call it unfriendly.

And no matter how stoic-leaning a community may be, it is often not without those who would add a touch of bling to their lives.

Traffic picks up

This particular visit through Clark happened to be Thanksgiving, 2014. On our first pass that day, the community seemed unusually quiet even for Clark – quiet enough that I circled around to make another pass through.

By this time it was early- to mid-afternoon, and we suddenly ran into quite a bit of foot and buggy traffic along the main road. Turns out that a church district had moved Sunday service to Thanksgiving Thursday, and they were just letting out.

As we first passed foot traffic, then a family buggy or two, we soon caught up with what must have been the first group to leave – the youth in their open-air courting buggies. This was a particularly cold day, but cold didn’t slow these guys down.

Squaring Off For a Race

But as we neared the front of the procession we began to notice a couple of buggies whose drivers seemed intent upon adding a bit of excitement to the quiet atmosphere – they were squaring off for a buggy race.

Going considerably faster than the buggies even when racing, I slowed my speed – wanting to not overtake them too fast and to not spook the horses, plus I was just curious to see how this was going to play out.

Even though these guys doubtlessly knew the lay of the land and the normal traffic levels of this area, I must say that I had no small apprehension for what might be the outcome as they raced not only down the straight-away, but into a couple of sharp curves with very limited visibility.

I don’t recall which one won, or if they ended up having to ditch the race in order to allow us to pass once we eventually caught up.

But either way, it shows that whether Amish or English, or whether driving vehicles powered by one- or by multi-horsepower – boys will be boys, and will be tempted to flex in front of their friends…often without realizing the level of danger they could be placing themselves and others in.

But at least – this time – there was no penalty paid, and only excitement as the outcome for that risk.

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