Singles – 6 mile

1. Katz Jackson – Talon (Morgan)
2. Susan Koos Acker – Roanie (Welch Pony)

Singles – 12 mile

1. Cathy Krisling – Enga (Fjord)
2. Tony Troyer – Heart of the City (Arab)

Pairs – 12 mile

1. Wes Licht – Annie, Ellie (Morab)
2. Tim Casserly – Auran Bachlava, Auran Harley Dvdsn (Arab)

MDDA’S CLINIC AND IRON OAK NOVICE RIDE/DRIVE

By Jane Licht

With the rain predicted for Saturday, April 25, those of us who volunteered for the Midwest Distance Driving Association’s Clinic and Novice Ride and Drive at Black Hawk Ridge near Sauk City were concerned that attendance would be low.  However, we were pleasantly surprised by the numbers of hardy competitive riders who came to ride in the morning and all the rest who attended the clinic and either rode or drove in the afternoon.

MDDA president Jac Deweese welcomed the group and presented the rules of competitive riding and driving.  Wes Licht summarized the vetting process, explaining what many in the audience had observed before the start of the clinic, and reviewing the parts of the scoring sheet.   “The vet is the judge.  Be kind to the vet,” said Wes as he placed an overhead of Dr. Howard Ketover on the screen. Then the real live Dr. Ketover came and answered questions.  He also encouraged everyone to take care with their horses because the trails that were in great shape early in the morning were now slick according to the riders.

Wes led the driver’s meeting in one corner of the log cabin while Jac led the novice rider’s meeting in another corner.  The drivers were to focus on the red surveyor’s tape and arrow signs marked DRIVERS along the trail while the novice riders were to look for blue tape and arrows.  For a couple of  places where they shared the same trail, drivers were to communicate that they would stop and stand quietly to let the riders pass in case a rider’s horse was not comfortable with horses attached to carriages.

After lunch, Wes began harnessing his pair of buckskin Morab mares, Annie and Ellie.  Derrick Dupler came over to assist in hitching since I was busy taking photographs.  I got on the back of our marathon vehicle and Derrick took a photo of us.  He handed the camera back to me and away we went.  Some of the drivers elected to go 6 miles but Wes thought his pair could easily handle the 12 mile drive.

Tim and Ruth Casserly from northern Illinois brought their pair of Arab geldings.   They hitched Bach and Harley to their wagonette.   When they finished their drive and unhitched, Tim joked that Ruth had taken time to wash their vehicle before coming to Iron Oak, which turned out to be quite unnecessary considering the muddy conditions during the course of their 12 mile drive.

Though they started after us, the Casserly’s caught up to us as did Derrick Dupler’s client, Cathy Kirsling and her Fjord pony Enga.  Derrick rode along with Cathy for moral support.  Both Cathy and her horse did very well, proving that the well-conditioned horse will have a good pulse and respiration regardless of the breed.

Because the trail had many loops, we met drivers coming and going.  I was able to take a photo of Susie Koos Acker and her Welsh pony and also Katz Jackson driving her reliable Morgan mare Talon.  They both seemed to be doing well and having fun.   When we did the last half of the trail, we caught up again with both the Casserly’s and Cathy and Derrick.  Wes agreed to stop for a moment to let me take a photo when they moved aside to let us pass.

The large open air pavilion was buzzing with activity all day long as horses were vetted, as riders were sent out in groups and as drivers were sent out at 5 minute intervals, all by our timer, Gerry Millard,.  After they returned, they soon required pulse and respiration checks mainly done by the vet students, followed by complete vet checks.  Veterinary students Suzanne McKichan and Dustin Lochner also checked metabolics such as gut sounds, hydration and capillary refill.  Dr. Sabrina Brount carefully observed horses trot out to determine soundness and their level of energy.  Lastly, Dr. Ketover checked every horse for sore muscles and for swelling, heat and pain on the legs.   We were pleased to learn that every horse that started finished successfully and no riders or drivers took a wrong turn on the trails.

The novice riders and drivers were supposed to eat lunch early and they did but there was still much food left on the buffet tables in the log cabin.  However, when the 25 mile competitive riders returned, they had worked up big appetites and soon most of the food was gone.  My big batch of potato salad disappeared as well as the sloppy joes, baked beans and the homemade cookies and brownies brought by other MDDA members.

Jac recognized the volunteers:  Gerry Millard for timing all the competitors, Jack Shea and Jane Licht who handled registration, Linda and Jim Low who set up the food table and helped scribe, Glenn Garbisch who helped with a variety of tasks, Romona Radtke who helped with P&R, Katz Jackson who prepared the sloppy joe mix, and Wes who presented part of the clinic.

Prior to the drive on Thursday, Jac Deweese, Wes Licht, Jack Shea and Gary Jackson met at Black Hawk Ridge and marked the trails for the various groups of riders and drivers.  It is amazing how many volunteers are needed to run a good distance ride and drive event.

We had a very enjoyable awards party with completion awards for all competitors and ribbons for the top 6 in every category.  Jac handed out the ribbons and the competitors came forward to receive them amid lots of clapping for their horses’ accomplishments.  Jac congratulated all the participants and reminded them that in this sport, to finish is to win!