Most of the information on this site will be found on the top navigation bar. Here we’ll place our ‘permanent’ material. — Schedule — Event reports (placings, stories, pictures) — Point standings — Year End Awards — Membership materials — Rules — Reference Library — Members Only
Home is where you’ll find the president’s messages and discussion of any other topic related to member activity. (This post is an example of the latter.)
It is recommended that you subscribe (link on left) to keep informed of activities.
Feel free to comment on any subject or ask a question using the comment screen. MDDA members have a wealth of information and we are ready to share our knowledge with other interested drivers.
Only members of MDDA may create articles and add photos.
I was just scanning the AHDRA II/Endure ride flyer, preparing for our fund raising activities. I noticed a couple details of which our drivers should be aware:
> Pre-entries encouraged… All pre entries will be entered into a drawing for fabulous door prizes.
>> Driving events will only be held if there are two or more participants. Management must be notified by June 30th by phone or email.
There are other important details there, too, so check out the flyer. Don’t wait until the week of the event to plan!
This message is to share with you the good find made while in Aiken, South Carolina over one year ago.
After saving all those pennies, nickel and dimes for quite a bit of time, the new harness ordered weeks earlier arrived today. A new harness has not crossed this threshold in many years and this recent arrival is the best bio-harness I have ever laid eyes on. There was no doubt that Marjean of Camptown Harness has put much thought and has taken suggestions, from those in the know, into the design. This harness is made for the hard working horse who does not need to be distracted by pinches and rubbings on his distant driving journey, CDE or just a casual drive with his partner. It is important to spread the word that the new eventing harness has been created and at a reasonable price. The underside of the harness is padded and covered with soft water-proof leather. The crown of the bridle is all one wide piece with cut outs to make sure you horses ears are not rubbing and the whole thing is lined in the luxurious soft water-proofed leather. I ordered it in brown with stainless fittings hoping it would look smart on the Haflingers.
This message is not solicited by Camptown Harness.
The July to December list of ADS recognized competitions are now available for viewing on the ADS web site. The printed version has been mailed to current members today! If you renewed after April 20, yours will go out in the mail next week.
It’s always a good practice to check the online listing before you enter or leave to attend a show. The online version of the listing is kept current and will show any changes that have been made by the competition.
If you are entering a competition give the Fillable Entry Forms a try! Organizers appreciate those typed forms and you can save them to your computer for future competition entries.
ADS ANNUAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 28-30, 2012
Join your fellow carriage drivers for a fantastic fall weekend in beautiful Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Friday will be kicked off with special Taste of Wisconsin party, featuring locally grown products and a special beer tasting. Saturday will be an educational smorgasboard with clinicians such as Lisa Singer, Jeff Morse, Mary Ruth Marks and many more. Sunday will feature a special multiples clinic for those interested in pair and tandem driving.
Mark your calendars to be sure to attend the ADS Annual Members Meeting in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Complete registration materials are included in the May edition of the Whip.
RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS DUE JUNE 1
Any member may submit rule change suggestions for the 2013 Rulebook. Please complete and submit the form: Rule Change Proposal Form and forward to rules@americandrivingsociety.org. or by fax to 608-237-6468. The deadline for member submissions is June 1, 2012.
All change suggestions received will be published and reviewed by the appropriate technical committee. Further information is available under “Rulebook Amendment” at the bottom of the Rulebook page on the website.
DRIVING RADIO SHOW
Episode 41 – Ponies Driving the Wolfhound, A Southern Pines CDE review show with organizer Claire Reid and speaks about her amazing coach. Plus, Boo Fitch on her win and Susie from the ADS on the outlook for the year. Listen in…
Episode 42– Gettin’ Em There On Time, We get artsy this week with equine artist and driver Larry Shultz. Plus, Susie from the ADS on public vs private lands and Dr. Ying on Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. Listen in…
June 15-17:Metamora CDE, Secretary info, accomodations updated. Larry Poulin clinic info added.
BREED PARTNER NEWS
JOIN AMHA’S HALF MORGAN COMPETITION PROGRAM FOR THE 2012 SHOW SEASON
SHELBURNE, VT—When the calendar turns from March to April, that means one thing, show season is about to begin! If you compete with a half Morgan, consider joining the American Morgan Horse Association’s (AMHA) Half Morgan Competition Program (HCMP). This allows horses with a registered Morgan sire or dam to be eligible for awards and recognition from AMHA.
The program is divided into five distinct divisions: Open Show, Dressage, Carriage/CDE, Eventing, and Endurance/Competitive Trail. Horses are accepted in the program with an initial enrollment fee, with nominal renewal fees annually thereafter. More…
Hi everyone- Hope you’re getting your horses & ponies ready for another great season!
In 2010, DRAW started giving awards for drivers’ miles posted at all Wisconsin ride/drives. We joined DRAW that year, as did the Sunderlages. Not sure if anyone else did or not. In 2011, I believe we and Roxanne were the only drivers who joined.
This is embarassing! If no one else is interested in competing for DRAW points, there’s not much point in them offering a driving division IMHO.
Your thoughts? Can we generate some support for DRAW from our MDDA members???
Suggested by Tony Troyer
“Hey here is a link that might help a few of us out with our horses…I started to do some of this with Jr. Last year and it is working well….:) I had to kinda back track and just start working him slow again. My biggest problem is that he still jumps around want to go once I get into the cart instead of just standing there, but he is getting better.:) ”
I was struck by the narrow, busy roads and of course the idiots are driving on the wrong side of the road!
The Wheelhorse will be mailed to those without valid e-mail addresses after April 9th.
Singles Go for the Glory at Live Oak International
Nifty Hamilton, driving Battersea Rodney, came fifth in the hotly contested FEI Single Horse Division at Live Oak International with a score of 134.56. Nifty’s daughter, Jan Jan Hamilton, came eighth with JAO Desperado. Leslie Berndl won the division with Uminco by only .12 points. More…
Table of Contents
Live Oak Draws FEI Singles
Exec. Director’s Message
Directors’ Column: “On Ramps”
Nom Com Update
Canadian Radio Show
Driving With GPS Watch
From Between My Blinders
Calendar, Classifieds
Weber on Horse Park Board
Omnibus Changes
ADS AND USEF YOUTH CAMP
Current ADS Member Young Drivers are invited to apply to attend The Big Sky Young Drivers Camp July 1-3, 2012 Big Sky Farm, Southern Pines North Carolina with Peter Tischer. Your request to attend should be sent by May 30 to Jamie O’Rourke, e-mail adsfund@aol.com, phone 484-832-4365. ADS Member Young Drivers are eligible for need based Young Drivers Grants of up to $500 to defray the cost of attending the camp. The camp tuition is $600 which includes training, lodging, meals and stabling.
USEF Drivers will work Sunday through Tuesday with Mr. Tischer. Young Drivers will receive lessons each day from long-listed drivers. Turnouts used will preferably be the Young Drivers , or one may be arranged by the host.
The Training Session and Young Drivers Camp is hosted at Claire Reid’s Big Sky Farm, who is generously providing an outstanding facility including top level hazards, dressage and cones training areas, permanent stabling and RV hook-ups. Download for more information and application.
BREED PARTNER NEWS
Obtaining your Sports Predicate
In 2011, FHANA had 25 horses obtain their Sports Predicate. If you and your horse are competing in either Dressage or Driving, now is the time for you to submit for your Sports Predicate.Sports Predicate: predicate can be awarded to mares, gelding, and stallions that achieve good results in competitive sport. The Sport predicate can only be obtained based on results achieved at shows registered with the ” United States Equestrian Federation, United States Dressage Federation, American Driving Society” or “Koninklijke Nederlands Hippische Sportfederatie”/Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS). The scores registered with USEF, USDF, ADS, or KNHS determine qualification for the Sport predicate.
To find out more about this opportunity read the April FHANA Newsletter
DRIVING RADIO SHOW Episode 39 – We learn about distance driving and driving Arabians with listener Tony Troyer and gentle horsemanship in working horses with Doc Hammill. Plus, Dr. Wendy Ying on harness fit for pairs. Listen in…
Episode 38 – Kim Logue wins a weekend with Chester Weber for her first driving lesson, hear all about it. Plus, Dr. Ying on harness fit in the pair harness and some ADS rule changes for draft ponies. Listen in…
OMNIBUS UPDATES
April 13-15:Southern Pines CDE, Secretary’s info, marathon info, Rule 917 info updated.
Kentucky Equine Research is sponsoring a FREE training session with Three Time National Champion Shelly Temple. To enter, visit http://www.ker.com/shellytemplecontest/ and sign up to receive health and nutrition newsletters from Kentucky Equine Research.
Training session will be held in Windsor, S.C., on a date agreed upon by Shelly and the winner in 2012. Contest ends May 31, 2012.
If your cart allows for it (not all do) you should adjust the balance so that the shafts of the cart “float” in the shaft loop. As you can see in this clip, even with the vertical motion of the horse at a trot, the shafts have very little vertical motion. This not only takes the weight off the horse’s back, it also makes the ride in the cart a lot smoother. This cart, made by Frey Carriage Company, allows you to adjust the height of the cart to match the horse, as well as the balance for a smooth ride.
We’ve spoken about possibly including a YouTube video on our web site. Up to now I haven’t had anything to try out.
Here is a very short clip showing what is meant by a floating shaft. I took this with my phone camera so it is not very good quality, but it does provide an example to test the concept.
I can imagine this as a very good tool to present the vet check for example. It could also be used to show action on the trail is a groom were to take the movie. And wouldn’t it be effective to show different cart/vehicle carrying methods?
What do you think? Do embedded videos have a place on this site?
Just received this email and added it to our schedule. Note the flyer will not show the drives but it will provide directions and other information. Another Illinois drive. Please support it!
Hi, guys! I just got the official word from UMECRA that we can have a drive at our ride – AHDRA: My
I’ve taken the schedule posted on the UMECRA site, which appears to be ‘official’, modified for our use. Note: This year I’ve shown all days for an event. If there is no mileage shown for a day it means that no drive is scheduled.
Although this is the ‘official’ schedule, I’ve noted a question
We’re glad you stopped by to visit our website on distance driving. Perhaps you’ve just discovered MDDA and want to learn more about just what we do. Perhaps you’ve come to check the schedule to see when and where competitive drives are being held or check the results of past drives. Or perhaps you are just interested in looking at some photographs of our horses and drivers at the various competitions. Whatever the reason, thanks for browsing and drop us a line if we can answer any questions or be of service to you.
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Episode 41 – Ponies Driving the Wolfhound, A Southern Pines CDE review show with organizer Claire Reid and speaks about her amazing coach. Plus, Boo Fitch on her win and Susie from the ADS on the outlook for the year. 
Current Issue: 
Obtaining your Sports Predicate
Kentucky Equine Research is sponsoring a FREE training session with Three Time National Champion Shelly Temple. To enter, visit
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