Yes, there are endurance events for DRIVING horses, and the Morab is becoming known as a top choice for this, too.

Competitive distance driving closely parallels the sport of competitive riding. The competition is not a race, and instead, drivers use strategy to complete the marked trail within a plus or minus 5 minutes of their assigned finish times. Their horse's pulse, respiration, attitude and energy at the end of the drive are observed by the presiding veterinarian who is in essence the event "judge" and determines scores.

Distance driving offers both drivers and their horses interesting trails and magnificent views of the countryside in major parks and conservation lands. Distance driving is a social event in that it involves family members and friends assisting drivers and horses. Often horse camping, pot-luck dinners and awards ceremonies are involved. There is also generous camaraderie with the veterans providing helpful tips and assistance to those new to the sport.

Distance driving provides a tremendous foundation for all other driving sports, and it does so in a very relaxed atmosphere. Those distance horses used in other activities (pleasure driving shows, combined driving events, recreational driving) usually have no difficulty responding to the cues of their driver, waiting patiently or trotting across country at full steam.

If you enjoy driving and are interested in learning more about the well-being and fitness of your horse, distance driving may be the perfect sport for you.

Submitted by Wes & Jane Licht, Rocking L Acres, Wisconsin

Members of the MIDWEST DISTANCE DRIVING ASSOCIATION

The GREEN MOUNTAIN HORSE ASSOCIATION also has Distance Driving events - a 30 and 50. The VERMONT EQUINE RIDING & DRIVING ASSOC. has a 25/60/100 mile event in the spring, & runs drives along with some of its rides. There is also a 100 in New Jersey that the drivers do, and a 25 in Bennington, Vermont in August. As we find more of these drives available, we will post them here for you.

15.1 hand Champion Distance Driving Morab, and sire of winning Distance Driving Morabs. WINDMERE ROYAL TOPAZ++SA is a Silver Medalist in the LAAP. Pictured here at the finish line at the Glacier Trails Distance Drive in Wisconsin. Topaz is also a winning CDE horse. Some of Topaz's other accomplishments: IMBA Supreme Halter Champion 3X; IMBA Horse of the Year 2X; Featured in Mischka Driving Horse Calendar 2X;  Champion Pleasure Driving Horse; other Awards too numerous to mention. Topaz is IMR Registered, and also one of a few Morabs who are registered American Warmbloods.

Her first year of distance driving, Lena came out a winner every time! She took the blue at the 2004 Glacier Trails distance drive and at the ApDRA distance drive. Lena's polite manner, good pulse and respiration, and her willingness to trot out for the vet at the end of the drive placed her first in both events. In fact, Lena was entered in a total of 8 drives during 2004, and placed first EVERY time! Many of Lena's scores were in the 390's out of a possible 400, indicating she was in great shape. Her owner/driver, Wes Licht, says, "She just loves to trot!". Lena is also used for carriage driving, and in the winter she is part of the team that pulls the big sleigh.

UPDATE! August 2005 - In May, Lena Su took top honors for the 25 mile Glacier Trails Ride/Drive in Wisconsin. In July she traveled to Peoria, Illinois for the Endure for the Cure Ride/Drive with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Despite 12 miles of hot and humid trails, Lena Su Ladyhawk's P&R rates were exceptional, and she won the Drive hands down with an amazing score of 394 out of a possible 400! Her 2005 point standings with the Upper Midwest Endurance & Competitive Trail Rides Assoc. puts her in #3 place with 30 miles and 13.2 points so far.

"Jazz" was third place in her most recent Distance Drive at the MDDA Fun Day of Driving in 2004. This contained a distance drive plus elements of a CDE and carriage pleasure show.

LAAP Silver Medalist who is lovely to look at and tough to beat! She's not only a winning Distance Driving Morab mare, but CDE's, too. At the 2004 Iron Horse Combined Driving Event in Illinois, Lady's good dressage score, fast marathon and obstacle times, and penalty-free cones course brought her the win in the highly competitive single horse division at the Preliminary Level. Lady also is part of the farm's winning carriage driving team, and does her share with the rides with the big sleigh in the winter. IMR Registered.

Sired by the champion driving Morab stallion, Windmere's Royal Topaz (see above), this was "Trigger's" first distance driving competition - coming from flat country in Illinois, the tough hills of the Yellowstone State Park in Wisconsin were a challenge for him, but he finished in fine shape!