Equestrians Encouraged To Ride In The Great Lakes Distance Derby

Oakland Press Article

First Quarter of 2014 Leader Board

January 1 - April 30, 2014

TEAM 113 - MIRACLE MARE

I have been riding since before I can remember, I conditioned endurance horses for my friend's mom and started racing the summer before my senior year of high school. After college I had a short USAF career, got married and had kids. I didn't give up my horse, but I did give up competing and a lot of ride time. November 2011 I bought my endurance mare and have been training and conditioning her to start racing. Last year we started with LDs and this year we plan to move up to 50 milers.

This year is my mare's first big year of racing. Last spring she had a stifle injury that almost crippled her and she recovered miraculously in months to compete and place in the top 5 in 2 LDs. Taking part in the Michigan Distance Derby will keep me accountable in training and conditioning and it will be fun to see where we sit with others in the state as far as conditioning.

TEAM 112 - GLDD - HORSE CRAZY

ILLINOIS - Riding since I was a small child. Did 4-H, queening, and a little Barrel Racing. Have always loved trail riding and have become addicted to endurance riding.

I joined the Michigan Distance Derby's Great Lakes Extension to have some fun with some friendly competition. I am hoping it will motivate me to ride even more. My goal for this year is to do my first 100 mile endurance ride and then go and attempt the Tevis cup.

TEAM 111 - GLDD - DASCHER

MINNESOTA - I have been riding since I was a child, this will be my 4th year in Endurance. I have ridden a season each of Novice CTR, LD and Endurance. My favorite riding style is Western just because thats how I grew up. In the past my family and I have participated in the 4-H Horse Program, Barrel Racing and fun small town playdays.

The Great Lakes Extension of the Michigan Distance Derby is a fun way for me to keep track of all my riding miles, and to see what others are doing.

My goal is to have a healthy, happy horse at the end of the season.

TEAM 110 - GLDD - BLING RIDERS

INDIANA - I was born a cowgirl; been on the farm around horses since birth. Anything horse at we do it! Pulling our draft horses; Racing our thoroughbreds; Contesting our QH, or just a good ol' family fun filled trail ride!

I have decided to join the Michigan Distance Derby's Great Lakes Extension to push myself to find time to ride more and meet more horse enthusiastic people!

TEAM 109 - GLDD - BIG RED

WISCONSIN - I showed American Saddlebreds from 10 years old until 19 years old. I began competitng in endurance in 1989 and have continued. 

I joined the Michigan Distance Derby's Great Lakes Extension because I like to keep track of my conditioning miles anyway and this just gives me more incentive.

TEAM 108 - GLDD - ERIN'S AWESOME APPIES

ONTARIO, CANADA - Raised on a small farm in southwestern Ontario where my parents bred and showed Appaloosas, I started riding Western, then took Dressage lessons briefly before continuing my riding education in Western and Hunt Seat disciplines on the Appaloosa and local saddle club scene. In my early 20’s, I kept horses in my life by driving draft horses on Mackinac Island for five summers. 

In 2011, I purchased my first horse, a solid buckskin Appaloosa named Rockets Roman Star or "Jetta". Together we showed on the Ontario Appaloosa circuit in 2011/12, winning International APHC titles in Hunter in Hand and Hunter Under Saddle, as well as a top-ten placings in halter, trail and Hunter Under Saddle at the 2012 All American Buckskin Horse Congress.

I look forward to tracking our miles in 2014 as we begin to train for Western Dressage competitions and enjoy laid-back time on the trails in Ontario.

TEAM 107 - GLDD - LAWLESS

INDIANA - I have owned horses for 6 years now. I mostly just trail ride, that's what I enjoy the most. I showed halter a couple of times a few years back. But I love the trails!

I'm joining the Michigan Distance Derby's Great Lakes Distance Extension because it will challenge me to ride even more then I ride now. I already always track my rides too. I think it will also be a great opportunity to meet more horse people and learn of new places to ride. Boston and I make a good team, I love my horse. 

I also enjoy riding with my friend Holly and her horse Leena who live in Michigan and are part of the Michigan Distance Derby. This way we will be able to compete & ride together! We plan on hitting a lot of trails this year!

HERE ARE YOUR MDD COMPETITORS

It is a Fabulous & Motley Crew! 

We have riders & drivers from nearly every discipline! From Endurance Riders to Barrel Racers, Mounted Shooters, Dressage & Show folks, Trail Riders - Western & English, Eventors, 4-H, Saddle Seat, Hunters, Jumpers, Ropers, Team Penners, Sorters & Reiners, Competitive Mounted Orienteers, Harness Racers, Lots of Natural Horsemanship folks, some who do Judged Trail Rides, Rodeo, Mounted Police, or those who have conducted professional Driving Tours on Mackinaw Island, Trainers & Recreational Riders & Drivers. 

Our Equine partners include Mules to Minis, Drafts & Warmbloods and of course Arabs and all sorts crosses & gaited & nongaited friends! 

Many competitors have already ridden the Shore-To-Shore, sometimes multiple times & others are making that their goal for the year. Folks who are super competitive & others looking to spend more time in the saddle or the cart with family & friends. Many wanting to use the MDD as a catalyst to build a better partnership with their equine best friend! Others recovering from life threatening illnesses or returning to the saddle after years away. Competitors wanting to push themselves & their horses to reach 50 or 1000 Miles for the year. Some who have been riding since they were kids, others getting into horses later in life. A couple of green riders & horses we welcome!

We have 14 Competitors who are 20 years or younger & 12 who are turning 60 this year or older! Our youngest competitor is 11 years old & eldest is 74!

14 of our MDD Competitors will be earning their miles Riding & Driving. 1 will be focused solely on driving & the remaining 91 will strictly in the saddle. 

Our MDD Community includes members from dozens of Trail Associations including: 

• Michigan Trail Riders Association 
• Great Lakes Distance Riders Association 
• Michigan Ranch Horse Association 
• Sleepy Hollow Trail Riders Association 
• Central Michigan Horseman's Association 
• Hungerford Trail Riders Association 
• Waterloo Horseman's Association  
• Kensington Trail Riders Association 
• Pontiac Lake Horseman's Association 
• Highland Trail Riders Association and many more.

As well as 4-H Groups:

• Clinton County 4-H

Other clubs include:

• Custers Cowboys 

There are also Riders who furnish campgrounds to Riders & their Equines including the Pouncey Ponderosa 

Riders & Drivers from Boarding facilities including: 

• Mosher Meadows 
• Nelsons Ranch
• Hox Acres 
• Rail Acres

We have a Equine Dentist, Kater Equine Dental Service 

Equine Photographer, Grace Photography 

Mobile Tack Store, DailyUp.Com "The Horse Store That Comes To Your Door"

Equine Realestate Specialist, West Michigan Horse Properties

Horse & Human Trainers as well. 

Nationally, we have members from: 

• American Competitive Trail Horse Association
• National Little Britches Rodeo Association of Michigan 

Breed specific members of:

• Arabian Horse Association 
• Michigan Paint Horse Club
• Walking Horse Association of Michigan
• American Quarter Horse Association
• Foundation Quarter Horse Association
• Michigan Fox Trotters Association

More to come...

It is going to be an extraordinary year! 

There are lots of folks to be inspired by & learn from in this Derby! So while many of you are snowbound at the moment, take some time to read about your fellow Michiganders & consider how you are going to make this year - The Year of The Horse! 

*The Michigan Distance Derby (MDD) is closed for any further entries for 2014, but our Great Lake Extension (GLDD) will be Welcoming another handful of Competitors over the next couple of days!  

TEAM 106 - DJ AND MICKEY

Hi, my name is Daryle but I like to go by DJ and I am 11 years old. I rode a horse for the first time when I was 5 years old; and really liked the experience. After that first ride, my mom signed me up for 4-H in our county. That was about five years ago. Now, I have my own horse and his name is Mickey; and we do Western Pleasure, Speed, and Trail in 4-H; and will try ROC-Roping & Obstacle Course this year. One of the disciplines that I hope to do with Mickey is reining; since he is a trained reining horse.

My mom dragged me out on the trails with her one time; and I thought it was pretty cool. We have ridden our horses for hours on the trails. One of the trail rides I really like is when we go to Hungerford in Big Rapids and ride our horses to the Woodville Store for their fried pickles.

I like to ride with other kids my age when mom meets up with her friends and they bring kids with them. We also go camping with our horses and bring my cousins along with us; who now are horse riders too.

I plan to join my mom who is also in the MDD on the trails whenever possible so I can keep a track of my trail miles. We will probably do a lot of riding at Hungerford in Big Rapids and D Bar D in Chase, Michigan.

We also want to accomplish the Shore to Shore ride one year.

TEAM 105 - SILVER HEARTS FARM

40+ years experience. Endurance/Competitive Trail Rider. I joined the Michigan Distance Derby to see how many miles I actually ride within 1 year.

TEAM 104 - BRRIDER AND THE CREW

Riding horses is a new passion for me. It started when my six year old son and I were invited over to a friend's house and we rode their horses. The next year my son started riding in 4-H, using our leader's horse. Three years later, he got his own horse to ride. My first horse was a Clydesdale named Patrick; and we have made big strides together and have learned alot.

Now riding is a family venture and my niece, nephew, son, and I are riding together. We now own five horses. I enjoy trail riding and camping while the kids are participating in 4-H events, equestrian, and hopefully qualify for other shows. In October 2013, I attended a beginner cow clinic with one of my horses and loved it!! I plan to do expose my horses to more events so we can grow together.

I am signing up for the Michigan Distance Derby to begin tracking my miles in the saddle. Each year my time on the trails have increased and I would to track actual miles. My goal also is to complete the Shore to Shore family ride either in 2014 or 2015; and participate in other riding ventures in my surrounding area.

Even though I am a beginner rider and just turned 50 years of age, I am excited to be in the presence of riders of all ages who are willing to support and offer advice to those just starting out.

TEAM 103 - RSS

Riding since 1954, Western riding, Mounted Orienteering, Barrel Racing & some Pleasure shows

I like the idea of tracking the miles I put on my horses and having a reason to ride. My goal is to keep riding my horses and driving my shetland so they don't just stand in the pasture for as long as I can. I am competitive so joining Michigan Distance Derby gives me something to work for.

TEAM 102 - ALDER CREEK RANCH

I've been riding my entire life, in the saddle by the time I was 6 months old. I've trail ridden through out that entire time, along with showing 4-H, open shows, AQHA and APHA in Western and English. I've had my current horse Gus for just over a year, and we are training to do our first MTRA Shore to Shore ride at the end of May.

My role in the horse world is shifting from being in the show pen to helping my children in the rodeo pen and trail riding as a family. As a very competitive person, I've been looking for new and innovative ways to compete without taking time away from what my kids want to do. The Michigan Distance Derby will help me achieve that.

TEAM 101 - WILD AND FIRE

I have been around horses my whole life but have always been more into cows. I have shown 4-H and open shows but I rather do trail riding with my sister which are also signed up on this site. They are The Cow and The Black.

I joined the Michigan Distance Derby because I want to hit 1000 miles with my sister this year. I also want to get more time in the saddle.

TEAM 100 - ROCKING OUT WITH THE HORSES

I have been around horses my whole life but I have always been more into the cows. I have been riding for 8 years. I have shown western for 4 years but I love trail riding with my sisters who are also doing this. Their team names are The Cow and The Black.

I joined the Michigan Distance Derby because my sister wants to hit 1000 miles this year riding and do a lot of camping and I am here to have fun.

TEAM 99 - EQUINE EXPRESSIONS

I started out on my first pony when I was 9 years old. I have shown horses in Reining, Speed classes, and Western saddle classes all over Michigan in the past. I now prefer to trail ride with my equine and horsey friends.

I have been a riding instructor for the American Association of Riding Schools for over 10 years. I enjoy trail riding with my friends and students, so when I heard of the Michigan Distance Derby I signed up. I have never tracked my time in the saddle and this is great opportunity to so. I plan on riding my black Tennessee Walker "Lance". I inherited him after my dad passed away. I also inherited a mule that I named Herman's "Pride" since my dad always appreciated a good mule. When I'm not on the trails or working giving lessons or pony rides I like to express my interest through art. That's how I came up with the team name "Equine Expressions", since horses and horse related images are my main subject matter. I am nearly finished earning my degree in Associates in Fine Art.

TEAM 98 - JOHNSON

I have ridden for 20 years I used to show Saddle Seat, English, and Western Pleasure. I Barrel Raced for 4 year. And now just trail ride and barrel race when I can. 

I joined the Michigan Distance Derby because my friend asked me to do it with her. And my goal is to put as many miles on my horse as much as possible this year.

TEAM 97 - RIDING FOR THE SOUL

I've been riding since the age of 10. Western and English. I was in 4-H along with the equestrian team in high school. Love going on trail ride and overcoming obstacles and fears.

I joined the Michigan Distance Derby so I can meet more people enjoying what I love. I eventually would like to have an up north trail group that has monthly trail rides for everyone to enjoy at any level.

TEAM 96 - THE COW TEAM

I have ridden my whole life. I've done English, Jumping, Western, Saddleseat, Barrel Racing and working on Roping. I do alot of bareback riding. I show and trail ride. 

I joined to the Michigan Distance Derby to encourage me to get in more riding. I am just in it to have fun!