Jacque Deweese

MDDA Singles Champion with Nora

Randy Rudstrom

UMECRA Singles Champion with Gus

MDDA Reserve Singles Champion with Gus

Wes Licht

MDDA Pairs Champion with Jessie Jane and Lady Omega

UMECRA Pairs Champion with Jessie Jane and Lady Omega

Sharon Brunzlick

MDDA Rookie of the Year with Junior

Jac Deweese

MDDA Volunteer of the Year 2003

Elinore Tonsor

UMECRA/AHDRA Outstanding Service Award

Since 1976 when Elinore Tonsor began competitive riding, she has been a leading force in the Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Rides Association (UMECRA)*.  On Saturday, January 31, 2004, she was recognized for her years of service and achievement with the Outstanding Service Award.

Besides serving a term as the Wisconsin representative, being the editor of the UMECRA newsletter for over 5 years, and participating in countless clinics for teaching rookie competitors, Elinore has initiated many longstanding changes in this organization.  It was her idea to develop a Restricted Mileage category for both the Endurance and Competitive riders.  In 1981 she also started and still sponsors the Riders Choice Award, voted on by the members of UMECRA at their annual meeting, to recognize the distance horse that members feel best represents their sport.  Another significant contribution by Elinore was her development of the International Competition Fund (ICF) to aid UMECRA members who wish to compete at the international level.  All the money for this fund comes from the proceeds of the Silent Auction that Elinore has coordinated for over the last 10 years.  Her fundraising successes have enabled the ICF to also support a Trail Development Fund for needed trail structures and repairs and the UMECRA Scholarship Program, which gives aid to members of any age who are enrolling in college or technical school.

This year alone, Elinore organized the entire UMECRA Convention at the Olympia Resort and Conference Center in Oconomowoc, WI, and ran the Silent Auction which took in over $4000.  Most of us who know Elinore have seen her at an event serving up good food to competitors, veterinarians and volunteers.  Or perhaps we have seen her using her trusty stethoscope to help with vetting in horses.  Did you know that she also is the person behind the donated awards which are labeled Horse Clothes by E.T.?

Congratulations Elinore for truly outstanding service.  We salute you and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

* MDDA is under the sanctioning umbrella of UMECRA which represents competitors throughout the Midwest region –Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Elinore is currently MDDA’s liaison to UMECRA and helps immensely with MDDA clinics and events.