WILDCAT RIDE AND DRIVE
                                                   
                                                          By Jane Licht

On July 26^,th, members of the Midwest Distance Driving Association participated in the driving part of the Wildcat Ride and Drive event held near Arkdale, Wisconsin.  There were 8 drivers in all, plus various volunteer crew and others from the club who attended.  Endurance, competitive and limited distance riders are always more numerous at these joint events, and it was good to have a respectable showing of participation in competitive driving.

The 10 and 20 mile driving trails wound through pine forests on sandy soils, past backwaters, and through meadows.  A bushwhacker had been used on parts of the trail to create the extra width needed for carts and other vehicles pulled by horses.  Recent logging activities made laying out trails quite challenging and organizers plan to relocate the Wildcat Ride next year.

Several MDDA members camped with their horses overnight.  They all enjoyed the comradiere and the interesting trails.  All nine horses started and returned with respectable pulse and respiration readings.  Everyone drove a single horse except for Wes Licht who drove his pair of Morab mares.

The highest score for the ten mile drive was achieved by Lana Santamarie and her Arabian gelding, Noble with a whopping 396 out of a possible 400 points.  Jac Deweese surprised himself as he and his Morgan mare Nora won the twenty-mile distance blue ribbon.  But of course, everyone finished, received his or her participation award and thus, EVERYONE was considered a winner.