Name: Jacque (Jac) Deweese

Home town: Pardeeville, Wi

Number of years involved with horses: 50+ (but only 2 driving!)

Number of years involved with MDDA: 2

Horse related organizations<: MDDA, AMHA, AHRA, DDC, ADS, WHC

Driving horses owned and their names: Nora, 7yr Morgan; Ashes, 8yr part bred Welsh

Activities with those horses: MDDA, DDC and recreational driving

Past awards from MDDA and other horse organizations: 2002 Rookie of the Year

What is your current job/career/activity: Retired Industrial Engineer (Oscar Mayer) and part-time farmer

Comments from Jac:

After retiring from Oscar Mayer I knew I wanted to spend more time with horses. Riding was a concern because of disk problems in my back. I took driving lessons and discovered that this didn’t bother my back so it was simply a matter of finding a horse, cart and activity that I enjoyed. Found the horse and cart (plus a pony and cart!) and proceeded to search for activities. Attended several Pleasure Shows and was overwhelmed by the ‘class’ of turnouts. Attempted a CDE and enjoyed it, but was bothered by the time invested for minimal actual driving experience. Tried distance driving and was hooked! An activity that required a minimum amount of time away from the farm, a relatively extended period of semi-intense driving, and great people to socialize with before and after the event. We started as an inexperienced driver with an inexperienced horse. We had our share of issues, but after a year and a half of being active in MDDA we are now ‘connected’. I understand my horse and my horse understands her job. She is now truly a pleasure to drive and a pleasure to work with. MDDA has helped me achieve my goal of spending more time with horses and that time has become QUALITY time.