MIDWEST DISTANCE DRIVING ASSOCIATION (MDDA) MEETING
The meeting was held at the home of Wes & Jane Licht, McFarland, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, February 4, 2004.
In attendance were Theresa Burns, Romona Radtke, Pauline Stollenwerk, Jac & Marguerite Deweese, Connie Gray, Sandy Rudstrom, and Wes & Jane Licht.
Call to Order
President Wes Licht opened the meeting at 6:45 PM.
Secretary’s Minutes
Jane read the minutes of the November, 2003 meeting. Romona said that the "R" in UMECRA stands for "Ride." Jac/Theresa moved approval of the minutes as corrected. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Connie said she recently deposited $75 for membership fees. She wrote the $150 check to Community Foundation Center, which is the UMECRA scholarship fund. Other expenses were $160 for 2 ads in Wisconsin Horsemen’s News, and $20 for AHDRA (Arabian Horse Distance Riding Assn) membership. Romona/Sandy moved to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion carried.
Old Business
Wes said that Sharon Beck, our MDDA Webmaster had surgery recently and declined to attend the meeting. Wes had sent her a letter of appreciation in December for her past efforts. Wes is working with Sharon on updates and corrections. There was a consensus to put our MDDA minutes on the website except for balances from the Treasurer’s report.
A flier and business cards were distributed at the Dairyland Driving Club annual meeting in January. Jacque gave a brief report about MDDA at that meeting and Duane Rose gave an enthusiastic favorable testimonial. The Country Today featured a nice story about distance driving and MDDA.
Wes also sent his compliments to Deb Dixon, our Newsletter editor. Deb would like to get more stories for the MDDA Newsletter. She plans to get the next edition out on or about February 13.
Sandy/Pauline moved to give Deb Dixon $150 for postage for the newsletter plus a family membership. Motion carried. There was a suggestion to print some articles about feeding and conditioning again for new members. Jac will interview Sharon, our Rookie of the year, for an article for the newsletter. Marguerite recommended that we explain MDDA’s awards program for new members. Wes said we can give the winners and explain the program.
The various awards presented at the UMECRA awards banquet were mentioned. Elinore Tonsor won the AHDRA Outstanding Service Award. Connie Gray won the 1st in Restricted Mileage Lightweight Endurance with Flash and she received the 1000-mile Horse Award for Khai. MDDA award winners were: Single horse high point champion – Jacque Deweese, Reserve single horse – Randy Rudstrom, Pairs champion – Wes Licht, Rookie of the year – Sharon Brunzlick. Jac will be receiving a cooler and everyone else opted for a vest. These are all navy and will be monogrammed with our MMDA logo. Connie suggested that whenever the winners attend an MDDA event we can present them with their awards.
Wes reported that Fay Van Camp invited MDDA representatives to attend the Fox Valley Horse Club meeting March 3rd at Shiocton. Wes and Jac will attend and give a presentation on distance driving.
New Business
Insurance After discussion, Sandy/Connie moved to go with AHDRA insurance for the events without an endurance component.. Motion carried. Wes said we should pursue another source for insurance in the future. Romona said the Wisconsin Horse Council plans to offer insurance for horse events next year.
Tentative Drive Schedule for 2004 was presented by Jac. The board members discussed the merits of the various rides and their potential for driving. The tentative list for MDDA is as follows:
April 24 – Iron Oak at Lodi (MDDA)
May 15-16 – Glacier Trails at Palmyra (MDDA)
June 5-6 – ApDRA at Palmyra
June 19, 20, 21 – AHDRA at East Peoria
June 26 Fun Day at Lodi (MDDA)
July 23-25 Wildcat at Niellsville (Elinore)
August 7-8 Show Me the Money at Arkdale (Elinore & Romona) proceeds to UMECRA
October 1-3 Midwest Mountain Quest at Prairie du Chien (Romona)
Wes will call other ride managers to confirm that they will having a driving competition and these will be added to this list.
Jac and Wes visited with Richard Loeb in January and confirmed that Loeb Farm’s future is uncertain because the owner, Richard’s uncle, died. However, the sons are very busy and slow in making major changes so in the near future we should be able to have our Iron Oaks and Fun Day there again this year. Jac will keep in touch regarding changes.
Pauline/Connie moved to give the Classroom Clinic participants who are new MDDA members a $5 certificate to be used toward the Novice Ride/Drive (Iron Oaks). Jac will design the certificates. Motion carried. Pauline/Connie moved to get our Iron Oaks ad and a list of future drives in the Wisconsin Horsemen’s News. Motion carried. Theresa reminded our president to also give the WHN editor the information for the list of events printed in the front of that magazine. The listing is free of charge.
Midwest Horse Fair. UMECRA has a booth and Romona would appreciate MDDA board members keeping her company at that booth. We can leave MDDA fliers at this booth and also at the DDC booth. We can also use the MDDA business cards that Jac designed. He can add the list of drives when we get that info finalized.
Classroom Clinic. Wes and Jac visited West 20 and Julie Cyra. The room she suggested is quite small. Pauline said we could use the shop instead since Julie will have most of the merchandise removed by then. Sandy will bring 2 or 3 horses and Pauline will bring Tony if necessary. Board members should bring a dish to pass. Wes has contacted Elinore and she will be bringing a meat dish, paper goods and coffee.
Iron Oaks. Wes & Jac are ride managers. Romona will contact Howard Ketover to vet. This event will be the same as last year and offers a condensed clinic in the AM and a novice ride and drive in the PM. Bring dish to pass. Wes will contact Elinore about bringing a meat dish, paper goods and coffee.
Glacier Trails. Romona & Elinore are ride managers. Romona needs help Friday night and very early Saturday morning. Pauline volunteered to be a timer very early Saturday morning. We are expected to give the vets breakfast and lunch.
Ribbons, Completion Awards and Place winners. Connie will contact ABC company for place winner prizes. Romona said that about 100 completion awards will be needed. Jac, Sandy, Pauline, Marguerite and Connie will get completion awards. Jane will inventory what we have now and report to Sandy. Jane will also inventory ribbons and order more first and second places as needed.
Our next board meeting will be held immediately after the Classroom Clinic at West 20.
Pauline/Connie moved to adjourn at 9:30 PM. Motion carried.
Jane Licht, Secretary