Long Ears Awards Program

 

The Gulf Coast Donkey and Mule Association's Long Ears Award Program (LEAP) is designed to reward the hours you spend in the furtherance and or promotion of the Long Eared Equine.  This program is devised for those individuals, who may not show but who spend countless hours and dollars in the promotion and support of long ears.

 

GCDMA believes the promotion of long eared equine (i.e. donkey, mule or hinny) is just as important as contests and showing when educating the public about the benefits of long eared equine ownership. Whether you are involved in recreational ownership, any type trail riding or driving, breeding or rescuing long ears, or any other long ear related activity, GCDMA would like to recognize your pastime, dedication and sacrifice with an award program to acknowledge your contribution in bringing the long eared equine to the forefront as the new equine of choice in the 21^st Century.

 

What do you have to do? When you enroll in LEAP, you will receive a log sheet on which you keep track of the hours and activities you accumulate in the furtherance and promotion or support of long eared equine. Points will be assigned at a rate of one point per hour where applicable or as stated herein.  Because the promotion opportunities are endless there will also be a miscellaneous category where the LEAP committee will have the authority to award points for additional activities not referred to herein.  There is no time limit for completing or achieving any number of points. You must present your log sheet at least once a year for GCDMA to update and keep accurate records.

 

GCDMA recognizes members’ efforts with embroidered patches and/or other outstanding awards for each milestone they accomplish, beginning with 100 points. The participant may progress to 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750 and 2000 points. At each level, every effort will be made to publish members’ achievements on GCDMA's website and in GCDMA's quarterly newsletter.  The awards series culminates at 2,000 hours with a certificate of completion and a belt buckle customized for the Gulf Coast Donkey and Mule Association's Long Ears Award Program.

 

LEAP Official Qualifications & Rules

 

1. When you enroll in LEAP, you must be a current GCDMA member.  You must remain a paid GCDMA member for the duration of time in which you are recording hours toward a LEAP recognized level.

2. You must pay a one-time LEAP enrollment fee of $25 per participant.

3.  You must keep an accurate record of the time spent riding/driving, or working for or supporting long eared equine in your official log.  (i.e.: one hour for each hour actually spent riding in the saddle or driving in the long eared propelled vehicle or working at an event)

4.  Rider/driver does not have to own the long eared equine participating with the LEAP member.

5. You must keep an accurate record of the non-riding event or activity.  It is your responsibility to have references sign and submit their contact information on your official log.

6. There is no time limit to attain a point level.

7. You may not record hours involved in showing your animal.

8.  You must present your log sheet at least once a year for GCDMA to update and keep accurate records.

9. Points will be assigned at a rate of one point per hour where applicable or as stated herein. A maximum of 10 points per day may be earned. (i.e.: working 12 hours as ring steward at a long eared show only earns maximum 10 points)

10. Those activities that cannot be completed in one day will have an assigned point value. (i.e.: raising a long eared foal cannot be completed in one day and thus will have a set point value)

11. No points are to be logged for hours spent driving in an automobile to or from an event. Points are to be accumulated for extra curricular activities and not those activities that directly support the primary function of your vocation. (i.e.: a farrier may not receive points for services performed for long eared clients but may receive points for farrier services donated to a rescue mission)

12. Separate log sheets must be used for each participant, and a minimum of one log sheet must be submitted annually to maintain enrollment in the program.