The Ten Mile Drivers Club from Helena May 28 in Potomac for their Memorial Weekend Drive. Six wagons and carts along with four outriders toured the forests and county roads.
Janet and Fred Benson of Helena with their team of painted drafts Dandy (R) and Diamond (L). July of 2015 Dandy broke his foreleg, healed, and is back to driving. Their dog Bandit also rode along.
Jeannie Gay from Three Forks was an outrider during the Ten Mile Drivers' Club Memorial Weekend drive in Potomac. Gay rode Penny, an eight-year-old Paso Fino mare.
POTOMAC - The Ten Mile Drivers Club (TMD) from Helena arrived in Potomac May 27. With a recreational permit from the Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC), they explored the local forests and roads using horse and mule drawn wagons, carts and mounted riders. They stayed with Potomac residents Ray and Brenda Woodside.
The TMD hosts monthly driving events and clinics around the state. The Memorial Day weekend in Potomac was the first pleasure get-together drive of 2016 for the club.
More than 17 members from around the state came to participate in this first spring drive.
Rita McClain, TMD member and the club's vice president has been involved for the last six years. The club originated with teamsters Harold Adams and Skyke Sias during the American Bicentennial in 1976.
The name Ten Mile Drivers comes from a stage stop that is located near Helena on Ten Mile Creek.
"When I joined, the people were so good to me and they are a very social group," said McClain.
McClain participated and brought her versatile horse Wyoming to the drive. Wyoming was going to be driven by her but was a little fresh so McClain unhitched and saddled him up to ride along.
Throughout the year different events like monthly clinics and drives are offered for members to learn safety, practice and promote the discipline and sport of driving. TMD members do fieldwork in the springtime, pulling harrows, logs and working fields with their horses and mules. Annual events for the group include horseshows, Halloween drives with animals and drivers in costume and winter sleigh rides.
Breeds used in the club have changed through the years from miniature donkeys and horses to mules, drafts and Halflingers as well as crosses.
"Right now there is a mule trend," said McClain.
Presently, the group consists of adult members although they welcome youth membership as well.
In addition to drivers during the Memorial Weekend drive there were outriders. The outriders ride ahead on the trails, help with the opening of gates as well as assist with animals and breakdowns.
The carts and wagons are driven over bridges, through water crossings, on county roads and cross country.
"All of the drivers and animals are good [experienced], and complete lots of training and clinics for the drives," McClain said.
Most drives are about 16 miles a day. Participating in the drives gives members a chance to go somewhere and learn more about the area and their animal(s).
Ideally there are two people per cart or wagon in case the harness needs adjusting or something happens like the animal spooking or wheel and harness issues.
Safety is first and foremost, and club president Carrie Hahn excels at that, said McClain. "It is the most important thing," said Hahn.
McClain said, "Carrie is instrumental in keeping the [Ten Mile Drivers] going."
"She is overboard on safety and a hard working gal," McClain added.
Although the Memorial Weekend drives were day trips, the TMD also do overnight trips.
"We try and keep everyone interested and do new things together," said McClain.
For more information on the Ten Mile Drivers visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TenMileDrivers/
Reader Comments(0)