ADS Hours to Drive program

[7fluffyfriends]

Do any of you take part in this program? I no longer have any horse/driving buddies nearby and was looking for a personal 'goal' to work toward.

If I am remembering correctly, AMHR / ASPC has the companion/recreation/amateur program which is more structured. The idea of simply keeping track of your hours is appealing and easy.

Does anyone know if AMHR has ever considered this type of program? It is a nice thing to achieve a goal more or less in your own backyard - no signatures/trailers/show fees/etc.

Newly retired, I positively adore anything simple, easy, and free!

 

[dalvers63]

Do any of you take part in this program? I no longer have any horse/driving buddies nearby and was looking for a personal 'goal' to work toward.

If I am remembering correctly, AMHR / ASPC has the companion/recreation/amateur program which is more structured. The idea of simply keeping track of your hours is appealing and easy.

I'm an ADS member and have been keeping track of my hours. I'm of the same.mindset that this is an easy and fun way to get out and drive

 

[7fluffyfriends]

Thank you, dalvers63!

If I am understanding the site information, the hours are accumulative with no loss from year to year?

There is such value in having friends to drive with, but sometimes you are really on your own. I think this is the time to join up and start adding up! Maybe this time next year, I will proudly be wearing the 100 hour pin

.

Or, more correctly, maybe my mini DD will proudly be wearing the pin!

Happy and safe driving to you!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I've been thinking of that, too! I think the hours would add up pretty quickly. I could keep a calendar in the barn...

 

[7fluffyfriends]

Great Idea, Marsha. I was going to keep track on the house calendar, but by the time I am inside my mind is already 'gone' in another direction.

Will join ADS, put a calendar in the barn, and when the ink in my pen freezes solid, I know it is time to park the cart!

Either that or when the mini coat is so thick I can't relocate the harness to take it off.

Maybe we could post later and share progress? Would love to hear from both of you!

 

[dalvers63]

Glad to hear others want to participate, too!

From what I can see you log your hours all year and then return them to ADS by November 1st so they can tally them. If you complete a milestone in between that time you can return them early and they will send you a pin. I've only been driving for a few months and have about 20 hours logged. I'm hoping to up that soon as I'm able to get out to the barn more often.

 

[MajorClementine]

Oh, I'm loving this. Going to check out ADS right now. Motivation to get out and drive more

 

[paintponylvr]

Also, on Yahoo, there is a group called Recreation Equine Driving (or RED). They track driving (no ground driving - has to be hitched) and give out an award with either so many miles or so many hours. I've forgotten the exact numbers of hours/miles they used for theirs.

I found that I was working with too many different pairs or singles - not enough time with any of each to really track and it was frustrating to me rather than "uplifting" or exciting. Also, with so many youngsters that I was starting (or oldsters who'd never been trained, LOL), it was over a year before I EVER hitched anyone.

********

What about tracking your own hours/miles and then setting a goal for so many and then setting an award or treat for that goal? Even designing a patch or something if you are into sewing

or maybe we could design/do something here???

**********

When I was in Germany - I really got into Volksmarching. That is a walking program. Usuallly done in pretty country but sometimes the walks were so demanding that I only noticed that I completed them. They were not timed, they had several different classifications at each event and you got a stamp in your "booklet" for completing your "walk" and also usually some type of little metal plate. My hubby attached alot of those to a nice walking stick and it was displayed for years in our home. They also tracked kilometers completed and at the 50, 100, 250, 500 or something like that - they had awards - usually a certificate of completion and a "patch" that you could put on your jacket. Everyone would check out the jackets when they went to various events. I used to take our first daughter in a "backpack" and she'd go with me to these... My husband DID NOT like going to these and I would often team up with another local buddy or two to go - we split driving to go and watched out for each other on the varied terrain(s)... Went to one that even the beginner/novice division was hard as it was very hilly and rough going. A lot of twisted ankles at that event...

Some events were in permanent settings and had like a mini campground headquarters with restrooms and then a cafeteria or vendors that you could spend you $$ on local eats and brews. Others had your typical porta-johns in one area with tents & tables for vendors in another.

 

[jeanniecogan]

count me in. i did this with my arab years ago. it was fun. if someone startsnsomething like this let me know jeannie

 

[7fluffyfriends]

Hi Paula, we lived in Germany in the early 70's and I also remember the Volksmarching and taking our son, also in a backpack! Gosh, I remember too the kindness of so many of the German citizens to us and our infant son. Small world sometimes and we are all in it together!

Jeannie and Paula,maybe we can just start by sharing our hours? I would enjoy checking back and seeing how much fun we are all having!

Safe driving!

 

[paintponylvr]

We can do that... Let me check into what RED actually does and how and I'd be happy to set a spreadsheet up...

"Lil-Beginnings" Driving Club? or something? Driving Club - Small & ALL Equine.

categories - ground driving and hitched. ?

Miles and/or hours (I know that for me it's usually easier to track time over miles but for others, it's easier to track mileage). I think arena time counts?

Awards - I personally don't want to mess with ribbons - providing or receiving. But others might? How did you want to do recognition?

 

[jeanniecogan]

i had an accident a few weeks ago, one of my team decided to get scared and dragged charlie and i off. he made a quick right and i didn't. bruised pretty much and a sprained wrist, found out friday the wrist is broken. i am driving anyway and my suggestions would be:

hours

ground driving

single hitched

multiple hitched

arena hitched

that should give everyone somewhere to fit in. we could make a yearly award or we could make it for every so many miles.

we can offer an award for each section. turn in your paper work and announce your award yourself.

i would help with the awards or what ever you need but i am 74 and will need reminders, hee hee.

 

[7fluffyfriends]

You are a generous woman, Paula, that is a wonderful offer. Sorry to not respond sooner, have been off of the computer with summer farm chores and grandma duty!

I like the options jeanniecogan listed and agree that gives everyone interested a place. So sorry, Jeannie to hear of your 'adventure' and hope your wrist heals quickly and well!

As far as recognition, just sharing what we have been able to do is fine by me! At the end of whatever our season is in our part of the world, we would have laid the groundwork (haha) for next year's goals as well!

I am not very computer 'talented' but if there is a way I could help, please let me know!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

What about adding community service? I think it helps a driving horse to be exposed to lots of activities.

 

[7fluffyfriends]

That's a great idea! So many members already share via community service already - good thinking Marsha!

 

[jeanniecogan]

we don't have to do all subjects, just 1. you can do more, but not a must.

i'm thinking of trying to have a west kentucky drive day on labor day weekend where we go camping. will let you know if i get some response.

 

[paintponylvr]

OK, it looks like a go... So you are wanting me to do the listing? Is everybody on Google? if so, we can share the list(s) thru "google drive"...

 

[jeanniecogan]

i don't belong to google, but i will join if you tell me how. im for whatever is simple. also thought of another category. ground training, meaning like beginning parelli or anderson, or your own version.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I have a gmail account. Does that mean I belong to google?

I've been thinking how I could keep track of my horse time, and can't really come up with anything definite. Would one need a clock to measure the exact time? A simple calendar and mark off grooming time, training time, driving, activities--and not worry too much about hours/minutes? Would one need to have someone sign off, as in the case of a parade or school activity as proof?

It's one reason I haven't joined the AMHR companion programs; don't know that I am disciplined enough to keep a good record. I do think it would be a good motivator for me. And I would be happy to supply one of the prizes.

 

[jeanniecogan]

i don't think you have to be to on the second ,just rough time. i believe it is on the honor system. a calendar would be great. i hope im not out of line.