MIDWEST DISTANCE DRIVING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

The meeting was held at the home of Pauline and Jack Stollenwerk, Eagle, Wisconsin, February 10, 2003.  Members looked at an article in Driving Digest about distance driving by Sue Greenall.  MDDA President Theresa Burns was quoted and Wes Licht’s horse was in a photo in the article.

In attendance were Roger and Dana Houk, Paul Wasielewski, Deb Dixon, Jerry Millard, Theresa Burns, Jacque and Marguerite Deweese, Connie Gray, Sandy Rudstrom, Pauline and Jack Stollenwerk, Romona Radtke, Wes and Jane Licht.

President Theresa Burns opened the meeting at 7:50 PM.

Secretary Jane Licht read the minutes from the November 2, 2002 meeting and they were approved.

Newsletter Editor Deb Dixon answered questions.  140 newsletters went out in the last mailing but that number will be pared down to paying members only.  Our Treasurer gives the names of new members to the President who sends them a “Welcome” letter.  Our Newsletter Editor has started a membership list and this membership booklet will go out with the May edition.

Pauline/Sandy moved that Deb shall be reimbursed for newsletter postage.  Motion carried.

The UMECRA Banquet and MDDA Year End Awards were discussed.  Wes said that the Awards Committee did a good job of selecting prizes.  They were embroidered vests, crystal and horse blankets.

Iron Oak Clinic and Novice Ride/Drive

This will be held at Richard Loeb’s Farm near Lodi, Wisconsin, on Saturday, April 26, 2003.  Jacque, Romona and Wes visited Richard Loeb’s farm and worked out a 6 mile loop.  Riders and drivers will begin on the same trail but they will be on separate trails most of the time.

Theresa is still trying to find a veterinarian.  It would be good to have an experienced vet and a learner vet.  Possible names were discussed and Theresa will follow up. 

An information and registration flier for Iron Oak was prepared by Theresa and sent to the Wisconsin Horsemen’s News.  An article by Jacque Deweese with photos has also been sent to the Wisconsin Horseman’s News.  These are both on our MDDA website.

Jacque/Romona moved to have the Iron Oak flier placed in the DDC’s Coachman Newsletter.  Motion carried.  Pauline made 175 copies of the information and registration flier that Wes will get to Suzanne Gillespie who is President of DDC. 

Pauline will get the ribbons for Iron Oak. Theresa will inventory existing ribbons and give the list to Pauline for all awards needed.

Romona Radtke and Linda Jacobson will mark trails on Wednesday before the Clinic and Novice Ride/Drive. Theresa will give a list of the prizes needed to Pauline Stollenwerk who will purchase them.  Houks and Stollenwerks will scribe.  Jane and Linda Millard will do registration for the Clinic and the Ride/Drive.  Members should bring food for the potluck lunch.

The Upper Midwest Endurance Riding Association (UMECRA) booklet of rides & drives should be out soon.  Theresa will give the list of drives to Sharon for posting on our MDDA website.  Lincoln Trails Ride will include a Drive and will be held April 19 and 20^th near Danville, Illinois. This is a new drive.  The ApDRA Ride/Drive will be held June 7-8 near Darion.  Check the website for details on these and other drives.

Glacier Trails

This will be held May 10-11^th.  Vets are needed.  Our reliable vet Wes Elford wants to ride himself and will not be able to vet for us.  Roger volunteered to contact Tracy who is an experienced veterinarian.  Connie will mark trails.  Dana and Roger will be in charge of obtaining the completion awards.  Theresa will contact ABC Company about donations.  Other members are encouraged to solicit donations.

Romona’s Rowdy Day of Fun with Driving Horses

This new event will be held July 6, 2003.  It will include a 6 mile Distance Drive, an Arena Driver’s Test (2 hazards set up inside an arena that are done twice) and a Cones Course.  In addition to the Cones Course, there could also be a Double Jeopardy Event.

A number of sites were discussed.   Sandy/Jacque moved to approve the event and that various sites will be investigated.  Results of these investigations should be emailed to President Theresa.  Motion carried. 

President Theresa announced that MDDA Webmaster Sharon Beck is checking on a List Server for our organization.

There will be an MDDA meeting in March at the Lichts.

Romona/Wes moved to adjourn.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Licht, Secretary