THERESA BURNS:  DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD  

The thing you first notice about Theresa is her sunny disposition.  She often smiles, gives others encouraging words, and her enthusiasm is contagious.   The next thing you observe about her is that she is no stranger to lots of hard work.  Theresa has long juggled a couple of demanding jobs, her family, and her passion for driving and riding horses.

Through many horse activities she met and developed a friendship with Romona Radtke that would change her life.  Romona convinced her that distance riding was a wonderful, horse-centered sport.  Later, the two of them conspired to start the sport of distance driving in Wisconsin.

Theresa initiated the Midwest Distance Driving Association, talked some of her friends into joining, and was elected as the first president.  Theresa went about educating others as to the rules and procedures for distance driving, she preached about its merits for discovering your horse’s emotional and physical needs, and she told about all the benefits of establishing a conditioning program for your horse.  A healthy body and active mind are good for both people and horses.  

Theresa set a good example by participating in distance riding and in many distance drives.  She worked cheerfully with ride managers, sometimes even helping set up the driving trails and marking them.  She organized and lead MDDA Board meetings, placed event fliers in the Wisconsin Horsemen’s News, and articles in the MDDA Newsletter.  She talked to groups, led clinics, served on panels, and carried the message all over the Midwest. 

It is with great pleasure and admiration that the 2004 Board of Directors of MDDA presents Theresa Burns, truly our fearless leader, with the MDDA Distinguished Service Award.

      Romona Radtke and Elinore Tonsor  Outstanding Service Awards
   

During the awards presentation at the Glacier Trail event Wes Licht and Theresa Burns, president and past-president of MDDA, presented Romona Radtke and Elinore Tonsor with Lifetime Member certificates for Outstanding Service to our organization.   These recipients have used their many talents, with hard work and precious time to benefit those of us who do the driving over the distance trails.  From vetting to preparing food, from organizing to marking trail, from teaching to scoring and many more things, Monna and Elinore have shared themselves and their expertise with us.  Midwest Distance Driving would not be an organization without their most valuable assistance.  Our special thanks to them.

Monna and Elinore share with MDDA in managing the Iron Oak Novice Drive and Ride and Glacier Trails.  They are also the ride managers for Wildcat, Show Me The Money and Midwest Mountain Quest at which they sponsor distance driving competitions.