MDDA ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS PARTY

By Jane Licht

Thirty people attended the Midwest Distance Driving Association’s Annual Meeting that also includes socializing and presentation of year end awards.  The event was held in McFarland, Wisconsin on November 8, 2009.  Wes Licht opened the activities by leading the group in “Horse Password,” where four teams competed to guess horse-related terms from various categories:  colors, breeds, horse parts, horse movements, horse information, carriage parts and harness parts.  The game involved lots of laughing and some very good guessing.

A wonderful spread of food at the pot-luck supper was appreciated by all and then MDDA president Jacque Deweese opened the business meeting.  Secretary Katz Jackson distributed the minutes.  Treasurer Jack Shea explained that 2009 was a good year for MDDA because there was good participation in our Clinic and Novice Ride/Drive called “Iron Oak,” and also good participation in our “Glacier Trails” event.  He explained that the purpose of our club is not to make money but rather to promote distance driving in a fun and safe manner.  However, we are in good shape financially with adequate funds to meet our expenses for the next year.

Special guest Rick Nelson, president of the Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Riders Association, explained the history of UMECRA’s scholarship fund and he thanked the MDDA members for their contributions to the fund.  Rick also answered a few questions about UMECRA and distance riding.  He explained that when a driver meets a rider on the trail, the most important thing they can do is to start talking because the sound of a human voice is reassuring to a horse that is not very comfortable seeing a horse attached to a carriage.

Jac explained that this year, MDDA will be offering an associate membership in addition to their joint MDDA/UMECRA membership.  The associate membership is only for MDDA and is particularly attractive to novice and inactive drivers.  There was also language adopted by the board to clarify the requirement that a horse hitched to a vehicle must always have bridle and reins attached.

After the business meeting concluded, Jac opened the awards ceremony by calling on the MDDA Rookie of the Year to give her comments.  Susan Keating said that she had been a distance rider and she thanked various board members for their assistance such as Mary Clapper, who took the time to explain distance driving.  Susan thanked Jac and Jack for their moral support and Wes for his helpful safety checks of her harnessing and hitching.  Susan Keating and the other rookies, Cathy Kirsling, Ruth and Tim Casserly, all received their denim shirts with the MDDA logo. Ruth and Cathy also expressed their thanks and enthusiasm for the sport.

Next, Katz Jackson received her 4^th place Limited Distance (LD) Singles award.  Katz was also recognized by occasion of a certain milestone birthday and received a cake, cards and funny gifts.  The third place winner in this category, Lori Shoofs, was unable to attend.  Jack Shea was the LD Singles Reserve Champion.  Susan Keating was not only the Rookie Champion but also the LD Single Champion, racking up the most miles with her horse Belle.  Wes Licht won the LD Pair Championship and received a nice prize for himself and his deserving groom (this author). The top drivers in the Single Horse division were Tony Troyer, Champion and Mary Clapper, Reserve Champion.  All of the prizes, whether blankets for horses or jackets for the drivers, were embroidered with the MDDA logo and the names of the drivers and their horses.

Mary Clapper presented a very special award to her friend Nate Sunderledge.  It was the “Lumberjack” award for his help at the DRAW-arama event.  Nate rode along with Mary on the trail and sawed the logs that were blocking the trail.  Last but not least, Wes Licht presented a gift certificate to Glenn Garbisch and explained why Glenn was declared the MDDA Volunteer of the Year.  Despite not being able to drive, Glenn participated in several events, supporting the drivers in a wide variety of ways, all to the benefit of the competitors and MDDA.

Here are the photos from the 2009 Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet