Jac and Marguerite Deweese have been active MDDA members for many years after Jac brought his small pony named Ashes to an MDDA distance drive and got hooked on the sport. Though not a "horse person" herself, Marguerite has been very supportive of Jac’s hobby and she even volunteered to help with the food at MDDA events. An excellent cook herself, Marguerite organized the meals for MDDA Classroom Clinics and Iron Oak Clinic and Novice Ride/Drive and enlisted her daughters and others to help. It is suspected that because of Marguerite’s influence, many participants come to the events just for the meals. Though Marguerite is stepping down from this taxing job, we hope to continue to see her smiling face at board meetings and events in the future.

Jac has served MDDA in so many capacities that it is difficult to name them all but we will try: Webmaster Supreme; former Vice-president; Treasurer and Financial Adviser; Keeper of Points for all the participants and their horses; Trail Designer; Trail Marker; Trail Clearer; Clinic Speaker; Writer; Photographer; Author of the information-packed MDDA Handbook; and winner of many funny awards because of his occasionally creative ways of driving. (Thanks goodness he has a good sense of humor, too!) Jac was very successful with Ashes and also with his Morgan mare, Nora. Nora really improved her manners along with improving her conditioning and metabolics. Tragically, at the height of her distance career, she collicked badly and died. Jac’s young Morab was not old enough for distance work but he acquired a Morgan gelding named "Scooter" and an Arabian gelding named "Cake." Once again, Jac worked diligently with these horses and they both have made great progress in becoming top-notch distance driving horses.

We take pleasure in awarding Jac and Marguerite Deweese the MDDA Volunteer of the Year Award!

Outgoing Board member Connie Gray was recognized at the 2006 MDDA Annual Meeting. She has been active MDDA member since the organization’s beginning when she often participated in distance drives with her faithful Arab, "To Go." Connie marked trails for many events, particularly Glacier Trails sponsored by MDDA. Connie is an expert on the care and conditioning of horses for distance work and she often presented the conditioning part of MDDA’s Classroom Clinic, and Iron Oak Clinic and Novice Ride/Drive. Along with Sandy Rudstrom, Connie took charge of finding sources and ordering awards for MDDA’s year-end awards ceremony and annual meeting. Being an experienced distance rider as well as driver, Connie provided helpful insights regarding the needs and desires of the distance riders who attended MDDA events. Connie has long been active in UMECRA as well as MDDA. We hope she continues to volunteer, share her knowledge and do a distance drive when she has the time.