Blog Site Address Change
Please visit the Tevis Post Blog at:
TevisPost.BlogSpot.com
March 1st, 150 days and still 5 moons to go! Good news & Bad news too!
I will give my
perspective.
First
for the good news. The Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) the
organizing body of the Tevis ride has decided to have an Educational Ride. This
event will be held June 19, 20 & 21st and that is six weeks before this
years Tevis ride. A nice benefit is that the riders who participate both days
of the ride will have 150 miles of credit towards the 300 miles that riders must
have to enter the Tevis. There will be about 64 miles of the trail used during
the two days, (river crossing permitting) so not only will the event give new
riders a chance to ride much of the trail in a similar situation to the actual
ride, they also will see much of the trail that most riders only get to ride in
the dark during the actual ride which will be held August 1st. Check
out the details at www.teviscup.org . There will be
demonstrations and lots of valuable information in addition to the trail
experience.
Now
for the bad news!
The forest
service in their grand wisdom has limited the number of riders to only 60 on the
first day. I understand this is because of the limited area available to
accommodate the number of rigs required for this base camp at Robinson Flats.
HA! Is seems a bit strange that just one week later hundreds of runners will
be there for the Western States 100 mile run. Also on August 1st as
many as 250 horses will ride through that same area.
Another fine
example of why rides are getting harder and harder to put on.
So if you are
interested in joining the event, it will be a lot of fun as well as educational
I recommend you get your entry in ASAP! The entries are already arriving pretty
fast in the WSTF office. So get on the Tevis Web site, www.teviscup.org and process that entry
now!
Lets see ya on
the trails
Potato
PS: Also - Don't forget that my Tevis Boot Camp BBQ
is this coming weekend. If you would like to meet and talk to some great riders,
be sure to attend the BBQ. Information and sign up is at www.tevispost.com/" href="http://www.tevispost.com/">www.tevispost.com
PSS: I have planned two day clinics at my ranch that will also be beneficial to prospective trail riders as well as Tevis riders. For details www.tevispost.com/" href="http://www.tevispost.com/">www.TevisPost.com no mileage credits but lots of good training and fun.
172 Days and five more moons after tpday!
On this very much needed rainy week-end here in Greenwood I thought about the relationship of the Tevis and AERC. I recently ran across a copy of the minutes from a Board of Governors meeting of the Western States Trails Foundation the sponsors of the Tevis ride and found it to bring back some very interesting history. First the most notable thing is the document is only three pages long with the type of the historic type writers on legal paper and lots of white space. The third page has only a short paragraph and the secretaries signature. Notable comments in the minutes are several comments, one that brings back a fond memory of Wendell Robie is the entry of director Frank Herald who at the time was in charge of the park district that included Folsom Lake. Frank and his wife Gina were avid trail riders as well as endurance riders.
The entry;
"Frank Herald presented information regarding surplus Government funds (around $50,000) which are available for trail and campground development and improvement. Further, he described a simple process of going through the state legislature to obtain the funds. He asked if he could have the support of the WSTF Board to pursue methods to secure these funds.'
The only response was from Wendell: He suggested we tell the state to go to Hell....."
Further down the same page Dr Robert Young DVM questioned AERC sanction for 1983. (Thereupon, opening a fermenting "can of worms.") Jim Larimer said their principles and philosophy is the reason we avoid sanction.
Potato related a probable reason the AERC refuses to recognize the Tevis as a parent.
Due to an impending emotional interaction which began to gather steam, Dr. Shumate moved for adjournment (time was about 3:30 pm) Lew Gale 2nd, and motion passed..
The third and last page is as follows;
Secretary's note: We are taught to stress the positive and shun the negative even if we have to falsify reality in the process. If we were to call things by their real names and do away with all our euphemisms, circumventions and circumlocations, however transparent,we would eventually face things as they are, ignore A.E.R.C. and end this cruel exploitation of the greatest and oldest ride in the world.
Respectfully submitted,Western States Trail Foundation
Shirley Gregory Secretary.
A link is here to view the original three pages of this historic document.
Of course eventually AERC did get Tevis sanctioning however to this day AERC does not recognize the Haggin Cup award because the vets do not use the forms of AERC. The sanctioning of the ride has become a given but few don't know that AERC points are not given for the Best Condition award knowna s the Haggin Cup. Yet many still hold that award in very high esteem.
Attached are the original copies of the minutes I am referring to.
How many moons to Tevis
Potato
The air has cleared (pretty much anyway)
Potato
New Blog for the Tevis Post
You might notice that the entries below (if the list assends) are all entered by me. In changing the blog, and getting use to the new software that I know nothing about I decided to enter blog messages from the Tevis Post Smart Trail Riding Forum. If you wish to comment, please if you would, sign in and establish an ID on this blog. I'm sure the Tevis Trail Blog will help you enjoy your trail riding exerience. Any questions?
Potato Richardson
potato@jps.net
Tip's Video
Potato, A SEDRA member was talking about going on the Tevis this year and referenced the Tips Video available on Tevis Post. I found your site from there. I am an ex endurance rider, if that is possible after it gets in your blood, from way back. When I was in, Donna and Pat Fitzgerald were top competitors and riding Witz II blood horses. I stopped competing when I went in to the military. I have had horses all these years but never the time to condition due to 28 years in the military and a career but I trail ride every chance I get. I still hope to start again in a few years when I retire. I always loved the bond you and your horse developed during the conditioning. I am also a big Cavalry buff and want to prove that today's horses are as capable as the old mounts. One of the things to do before I die is to complete the Tevis on a horse I bred and trained. Thank you for the interest, I did not mean to get so long winded. Rod
First Tevis
Hi Group, This is my first Tevis. I live in the Middle East & have done most of my Endurance riding in the UAE. In the UAE the riders travel light with any water or other provisions the rider may need supplied to them by the crew vehichle which follows. I understand that there are areas at the Tevis that are not accesible by crew. What sort of provisions & water should a rider take with them. What are the best ways to take water & provisions along with you that would be the lest interfering with horse & rider?
Buck Meadows Boogie
Dear Potato, Thank you so much for taking me to the Buck Meadows Boogie ride and allowing me to ride Zoltaan with you and Heather. It was my first multi-day ride and my first top 10 completions. WOW! What a thrill to come in top 10 back to back on a multi-day ride! What incredible horses you have! Zoltaan felt so strong the whole time. He moved ahead eagerly with his ears pricked forward. It was fantastic to move with the balanced cadence of that horse through the incredible mountain scenery. Zoltaan felt invincible, moving with steady consistency up the long hard hills and back down them again without any signs of fatigue. What an experience to ride a horse like that! Garcon is awesome, the way he floats above the ground. And Fifi! What a competitive mare! She really flies down the trail. Her pulse recoveries were absolutely incredible. I have learned some important things from you, Potato. Thank you for sharing your knowledge gained from long experience. I have seen it work! I was not sure my body would make it through two back to back 50 mile rides, but amazingly enough it did! I hardly have any soreness today at all. What I do have are great memories. What fun! What a thrill! Thanks again Potato, Heather, Zoltaan, Fifi, and Garcon! Sharon
My First Endurance Ride
Wow! I did it...and if I can do it anyone can....Let me reiterate what I stated in a previous note..I am EXTREMELY new to the sport of endurance riding. In fact up until the 5th of April I had never even completed a limited distance ride but boy was it fun. Potato and I headed up to Palomino Valley Friday afternoon, got the horses vetted in and settled for the night and I anxiously awaited the next days events. I had no idea what to expect at the start of an endurance ride and was a little nervous but as soon as I got up on Fifi I knew I was in good hands. The race manager said,"go" and off we went. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and I was excited to be doing my first ride. After riding for 5hours and 33minutes (along with a one hour hold and a 15 minute hold) I had completed the ride and was smiling from ear to ear. Potato is a great mentor and his horses are all incredible athletes. My muscles aren't sore anymore and I am looking forward to riding again at Buck Meadows on April 19th. Thank you Potato for believing in me and pushing me when I thought I was done!! Ride on!! Heather
