President’s Message for July 2004

This newsletter should inform you about two things – many of you missed some great driving times and there are some good driving opportunities still ahead.

Since the last newsletter in May, four wonderful distance driving opportunities have been held.  The first was Glacier Trails at Horsemen’s Park at Palmyra, WI.  This was an MDDA sponsored event and nine drivers participated.  Unfortunately two drivers arrived too late to officially participate but drove the trail anyway and gave their horses and themselves trail experience.  ApDRA was the second event, also at Palmyra, with five drivers attending.  The third event was AHDRA II held in East Peoria, IL, and unfortunately only one driver participated.  Where was our Illinois support?  The last was the MDDA Competitive Fun Day of Driving at Lodi, WI.  Seven drivers made the most of this organized day of activities.  However, this was only half of last year’s group.

Excuses are so popular – everyone has one.  In sarcastic fashion, this old one-liner sums up a myriad of reasons why these events have not been well attended.  I have had emails, phone calls and personal contact with folks who have very legitimate reasons for not being at some of these wonderful driving opportunities.  The list ranges from conflicts with special things including graduation, weddings and funerals to major problems such as truck transmission breakdowns, personal injuries and horse injuries to work conflicts including baling hay on the sunny weekend of the event.  Yes, each one of these four events was blessed with absolutely wonderful weather for driving.  Unfortunately, during the week the rains kept some of us from getting the hay in for the horses we drive.  And the list goes on …

Looking to the future, I hope that more of you will take the opportunity to drive with us at the other scheduled distance events.  Wildcat and Show Me The Money are coming up shortly, both in central Wisconsin.  Two drives are scheduled for October.  Midwest Mountain Quest is at Prairie du Chien, WI, and Point Chaser is in Minnesota.  Plan now to attend.  The Ride Managers are counting on you to come.  They are preparing the trails.  They are putting in the extra time.  They are hiring the vets.  They are hoping to see you.  They have a hard time accepting all the legitimate reasons I tell them for why MDDA members weren’t there in larger numbers.

Make plans now.  Let’s continue our commitment to MDDA and enjoy each other in actively participating in the fun of distance driving.

Safe driving and happy trails,

Wes