We aren’t for everyone.
We are for those folks FOCUSED on FUN!
OUR MOTTO:
SMILES & MILES!
This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY Derby working to be a POSITIVE Space, focused on SMILES & MILES rather than unnecessary drama. A rare opportunity in the world as a whole & the horse community in particular. People keen on complaining, criticizing, hating, being ungrateful, bullying (including cyber bullying) are not be permitted to play. It is a Party whose host works tirelessly to give other equestrians the opportunity to have FUN! It's simple afterall, track your Miles, take some photos of your Smiles, Post whatever you care to share. Get some "Likes;" "Like" some other Teams' & watch the Miles add up & the Smiles multiple over a calendar year!
Sometimes Teams take advantage of the generosity of host & the desire of other Teams simply to focus on their own Miles & Smiles, creating drama, disrespecting the host or other Teams or otherwise pissing in our Cheerios. Teams who create such negativity online, on trail or elsewhere are immediately eliminated from the Derby. We have all been at a party of many spoiled by one or even a few. Each year we have over 100 Teams, most of who are returning, thankful for the game! Why?
Top Ten Reasons Equestrians Love Our Derby
Our Teams are encouraged to focus on the partnership they are building with their horse, not ribbons or prizes, not Facebook, but a quality relationship with their equine!
2. You GPS Track Mileage on Your Horse
(Or Horse You Have Access To)
They aren’t guestimates of hours or roundabouts of mileage on a trail but actual GPSed miles. You aren't limited to "Trail Only" or "Competitive Only" Miles, You don't have to Upload your GPS every time you ride or make public where you ride (which can be a security risk for those of us who ride solo). ANY MILES, in saddle or cart COUNT, whether arena, trail or your backyard for recreation or competition!
3. If you have Multiple Horses, You have Multiple Opportunities To Play!
If you have multiple horses you can track your GPSed Mileage on each separately so you can ensure you know mileage on each. By registering all the horses you ride or drive you can easily calculate your total miles ridden & driven as a horswo(man).
4. The DD is Open to ANY BREED Horse & ANY DISCIPLINE
We have trail riders, eventers, ropers, dressage, drivers & more!
5. We Are Family Friendly
If a parent or guardian wants to track miles of their kids who are riding they too can play as a family! We try to set an example for all ages, rewarding Teams who follow the few Rules & encouraging those who can't keep it Positive to play elsewhere.
6. The DD is Open to Equestrians EVERY WHERE!
We aren’t in one state or region, not even limited to one country, if you ride in Europe, in Africa, in Asia, Australia & elsewhere you are welcome to play! (We do track in miles though, not kilometers.)
7. You Get Your Own Team Page!
One for Each Team!
To track your adventures, to share that progress & fun with anyone who has access to the internet & can communicate with others through the comments section. Your Team Page also serves as back up log incase something happens to yours or our tech.
8. We have Exclusive Distance Derby Quality Gear!
Something is offered for every budget. DD Gear is only available to DD Teams & each year we offer different options! There are also lots of ways to win gear, including being the Most Valuable Player, MVP, or the person who not only encourages other Teams but also helps the Administrator, making the game as fun to run as it is to play.
9. We have Monthly Themes for Fun & Cross Training!
The more you participate in these the more opportunities you get to win exclusive Derby Gear! We also support other equine organizations throughout the year to increase awareness in their sport or help them fundraise for their cause. Trail maintenance & fundraising for good causes is also encouraged & rewarded in The Great Distance Derby!
10. Set Your Own Goals!
Every Team is already a WINNER for participating in the Derby, as each Team sets their own goals for the year which may include mileage but are typically about developing new skills, trying new things, building a stronger bond with their horse.
11. It is Nearly FREE!
A minimum donation is part of this party, much like a potluck! That helps weed out the numbers of folks who sign up to play but never track a mile. And it is VIRTUALLY FREE as this amount does not even cover the time it takes to enter a Team in the Derby or costs associated with running the year long multifaceted Derby.
It is less than a day at the show, less than a weekend of CMO, Team Penning, Barrel Racing, less than a one day endurance ride, less than an hour of a horse clinic, less than even cheapest tack. AND THE DERBY RUNS A WHOLE 365 Days of the year!!!
The Great Distance Derby is generous offering by one main volunteer, Team Grace, who played in the original Derby in 2013. When the founders didn't have time to offer it to all the Michiganders & Great Lakers interested in playing they asked Team Grace to. Graciously she did for 113 Teams in 2014. Since that time, the original Derby administrators asked Grace to assume the running of the Derby, Grace obliged securing written permissions, copyrighting it, altered it & renamed it The Great Distance Derby to be a DRAMA FREE place for equestrians everywhere committed to FUN to enjoy!
As a compliment ONLY to the Derby, it is NOT the Derby, a PRIVATE Facebook Group is offered to share, play, connect, compete, encourage & congratulate everyone.
It is a well managed Facebook Community, where only positive posts are included.
Complaints about the weather, Debating or Ranting are not permitted.
Instead you can scroll through or post lots of SMILES & Fun as part of our Miles! It’s SOLE purpose is for MOTIVATION to spend more time to ride & drive with our equines. In 2016 a PRIVATE Trading Post for swapping & selling of tack for Teams is offered as well as a PRIVATE Resource Library for sharing information on equine health & discipline information.
The Facebook Group is a compliment to the Derby. Not every Team participates in it, and those that do assume the personal responsibility of working toward creating a positive Derby in the Group & in their Likes & Posts on Facebook. The number #1 reason Teams have been eliminated in 2015 was for abusing this privilege. Teams have the responsibility of understanding Facebook technology & how widely & quickly their communications spread. If Teams are unclear about this technology they need to be cautious about their posting. Our PRIVATE Group goes a long way to protecting the interests of most our Teams. However, if Teams do not head the adage “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” one of the reasons Mark Zuckerberg only includes a “like” not a “dislike” button, they will be held accountable for their actions, which can mean elimination from the Derby. Cyber Bulling is NEVER Tolerated & the number 1 reason a number of Teams were eliminated from the 2015 Derby.
Top Ten Reasons Some Love To Hate Our Derby
This requires an application on your smartphone or separate GPS system. There are hundreds if not thousands of ways to do this. We are not in the position to provide tech support (we have jobs, families, riding goals of our own) so if this is new to you, find someone close to you willing to help.
2. Each Team must be able to Enter Their Own GPSed Miles
Exception: unless they are a minor or have special needs
3. Duplicate Miles are Removed 2-4x a Year
We have over 7,000 mileage entries each year. Duplicates & questions about mileage occur. It isn’t a personal attack but an effort to keep the game fair for all, we all make mistakes, most often they are just hiccups in the technology; HELP the Admin resolve so we can all be confident about a FUN & FAIR Derby.
First is the Golden Rule
Which is to be nice, mutually respectful, even to the host, seriously?
You mean I have to be respectful to the host of the party?
You mean I can’t trash talk her on trail or Facebook & still be included in the party?
NO WAY! HOW UNREASONABLE
(read with sarcasm & humor!)
Seriously. Quickest way to be removed is to trash talk or cyber bully the host of the party given all the time & work SHE DONATES for YOU TO HAVE FUN.
Proudly removing ANY Team unable to honor this basic adult courtesy.
Teams must Read & Follow our DD Rules; If the Team chooses to participate in the Facebook they must also understand that technology, be able to “Friend” Admin, Read & Follow our FB Group Description & work to create a positive experience for others in the Distance Derby.
5. Structured Facebook Community
On any personal page or group you can hear complaints about life, work, the weather. You can hear prayer requests & the challenges we all face in life. There are groups designed for debating the best of this or that in training, feed & everything else. On your own page you may do what you like. In The Great Distance Derby Group we are SOLELY focused on the SUGAR, THE GOOD SUSTAINING KIND, OK Protein, maybe? Anyhow, we want to hear about your goals & accomplishments with your equine. We want to encourage & congratulate you. We are NOT for Debates. We do not focus on simple Miles…We want to know what you want to accomplish IN THOSE MILES! We want to see your SMILES & MILES! Some people find that too restrictive. That is OK. We are not for everyone.
On any personal page or group you can hear complaints about life, work, the weather. You can hear prayer requests & the challenges we all face in life. There are groups designed for debating the best of this or that in training, feed & everything else. On your own page you may do what you like. In The Great Distance Derby Group we are SOLELY focused on the SUGAR, THE GOOD SUSTAINING KIND, OK Protein, maybe? Anyhow, we want to hear about your goals & accomplishments with your equine. We want to encourage & congratulate you. We are NOT for Debates. We do not focus on simple Miles…We want to know what you want to accomplish IN THOSE MILES! We want to see your SMILES & MILES! Some people find that too restrictive. That is OK. We are not for everyone.
6. Be Willing To Accept Directions
Teams get excited, then they get really focused on the Derby, so much so, if the Admin asks them to do something different or to expects them to ask permission before creating a DD event, they get really really really pissed. Then they might talk to another team about it , then another, then another. Then our Drama Free Derby becomes Days of Lives….and it was supposed to be FUN! So if you are unwilling to take direction without disrespecting the Administrator or the Spirit of the Game, if you have difficulty with authority, respect or are a particularly critical, judgmental, opinionated or pessimistic person the Derby isn’t for you. We promise to follow your barn rules at your barn, but when you are in the Derby you play by ours.
Teams get excited, then they get really focused on the Derby, so much so, if the Admin asks them to do something different or to expects them to ask permission before creating a DD event, they get really really really pissed. Then they might talk to another team about it , then another, then another. Then our Drama Free Derby becomes Days of Lives….and it was supposed to be FUN! So if you are unwilling to take direction without disrespecting the Administrator or the Spirit of the Game, if you have difficulty with authority, respect or are a particularly critical, judgmental, opinionated or pessimistic person the Derby isn’t for you. We promise to follow your barn rules at your barn, but when you are in the Derby you play by ours.
*The Derby, Facebook, each of us is constantly growing & changing, so too do our Rules & Guidelines. If you can’t approach change with positivity, refraining from personally attacking the Administrator or others, you WILL BE REMOVED from the Derby.
7. Unrealistic Expectations
We cannot police people or their horses. Like the rest of the world we cannot enforce what your opinion might be on others. What we do in the Derby is promote, educate & encourage a Horse First Philosophy so that those doing the most work, the Horses, are not hindered by humans. Our Derby is meant for tracking not competition. If you are putting too many miles on your horse, it is you & your horse that loses. That is one of the many reasons we do not encourage Teams at every mileage marker, because it is easy to get focused on arbitrary numbers. Every Team has different needs & responsibilities. Some Teams are retired & riding a lot, with numerous horses. Others, like your administrator, are balancing multiple jobs, family & other responsibilities/dreams. Some have small children. We are all different & all of our horses are different. Don’t compare yourself to those on the Leaderboard, compare yourself to you & your horse’s partnership yesterday, last month, last year. The playful part of the Leaderboard is meant for motivation not competition.
8. Making One’s Negative Opinion Everyone Else’s Or Spreading Gossip
Somewhere along the line of a year long (365 Day) Derby a Team decides they don’t like it or another Team, how the FB Group is run, how the Blog or Team Page is structured or the Administrator. Instead of continuing to play out the year according to the rules they decided to make their opinion other Teams’ issues. Gossip is not something we encourage in the Derby. An unchecked, unfactual opinion shared with others, is just that GOSSIP. They may stop posting miles or photos or they continue to but they start adding Teams to their own group, or messaging another, sharing the grave injustice of the Derby & it’s Administrator’s evil evil ways (enter wind, dark sky & thunder, to be read with great drama & sarcasm.) In the process they helped to create the antithesis of FUN & rather than being grateful for the opportunity offered they are absolutely certain the Admin is out to get them, for Realz….This is where, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all is especially helpful if you want to continue to play. If not, well HELL BLOW SHIT UP! RANT AWAY…you & all those liking your self created misery will be removed from the Derby wasting a shit ton of yours, the Admin’s & others’ time….and for what? See 9.
9. We offered Cheerios & they wanted Oatmeal or Fruit Loops
Some folks are not gonna be happy no matter what. It is a pretty common malady. Some folks are just not gonna like the Administrator, a less common but certainly possible malady. To correct for those of us simply interested in having some FUN with our horses & others, we simply remove folks committed to pissing on our party or in our cheerios.
10. Some Folks Do Not Want To Donate
They think a year long 365 Derby with all its opportunities should be FREE every year. Instead of being grateful for it being offered it once (2014) for FREE for 365 Days a year (less than 1 show, 1 CMO, 1 endurance ride, 1 piece of tack), they think the HUNDREDS OF DONATED HOURS processing over 200 info. requests, of registering 130 Teams, collecting photos, adding to the blog, to the mileage form, creating the Leaderboad, linking to forms, to the Facebook Group, to each event invite, to reviewing 7,000 mileage entries a year, to correct requests, to the re-rankings each year, to securing & paying for the venue for Annual, Dinner for creating logo, visuals, adjusting for gear, setup fees for gear, magnets & patches, to the themes, to the management, to the encouragement & so much more each team, each year, they want it for FREE rather than VIRTUALLY FREE lol. Please refer to #10 for further explanation.
There will ALWAYS be Haters.
There will ALWAYS be Fun Loving Team Players.
Which one each of us choose to be is up to each of us!
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