Tevis Trail Blog

The air has cleared (pretty much anyway)

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:55:56 GMT

Here we are 4 weeks after Tevis 2008 was planned and life goes on. For those who were entered for 2008 the refund checks are in the mail and I venture to say that 2009 will have a waiting list early in the year. I say that because of so many who managed to get qualified by accumulating the 300 miles to quality for 2008 are foaming at the bit for 2009. Add to that list the newcomers that are motivated to get their first buckle and it will be a very interesting year. So I suggest that you acquire your 300 miles as soon as you can so you will not end up on the waiting list. Of course the rest of us should also enter early too.

Consequences of the cancellation;

Many of the entries that had Tevis 2008 so well planned are now moving on to more rides and Strategizing for Tevis 2009. This week-end is the Swanton 100 and it has been declared to be the last time this ride will be held. In addition the Bandit Springs ride held in Oregon had 70% increase in their riders of the 100 most likely because it was the same day as Tevis and they didn't have a forest fire problem. Likewise the Big Horn 100 in Wyoming had a increase of nearly 300% due to Tevis cancellation from 9 riders to 26 is a big difference.

Still the high price of gas has had a negative influence for sure on ride entries. Most rides I know of have fewer riders this year then in the past. However we see the prices dropping on fuel now so perhaps the rest of the year will see a recovery of the diminished level of riders. So saddle-up and ride! Really Ride!

Potato Richardson potato@jps.net
http://www.TevisPost.com

New Blog for the Tevis Post

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:11:55 GMT

This is a discussion website, or blog, dedicated to those interested in the Tevis Ride. Our goal is to help everyone who supports the ride and or riders to achieve their goal! It would be a great pleasure to see everybody that challenges the course to take home a buckle or another certificate as the case may be; after all, "it only takes one buckle to hold up your pants". If we all share our experiences, problems, and pleasures, we should all profit. Please help make this website a focal point for Tevis Cup enthusiasts.

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@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:48:41 GMT

Jun 04, 2008 Rod
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

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:31:14 GMT

May 4, 2008 Bonnie Petley Saba
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

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:20:32 GMT

Apr 23, 2008
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

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:28:56 GMT

May 10, 2008
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

Transporting a horse, coast to coast

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:10:24 GMT

mar 15, 2008
Well - I'd sure like some advice on how to get my horse from the east coast to the west coast without stressing her, keep her conditioned to compete, and get through the Tevis without having a nervous breakdown. My biggest concern is the cross country trip for my horse. Any and all insights will be greatly appreciated. If all goes well this year, I believe we can do it in 2010. Dodie

Thinking about 2008

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:06:42 GMT

Mar 12, 2008
As I look forward to possibility of a 2008 ride, I started reflecting on 2007’s ride. I owe a wonderful first and the amazing experience of Tevis to Potato and his wealth of experience and fun loving disposition. He shared his insights openly, kept the riding fun as it should be and the stress low. With Potato’s input, my French trainer, Nathalie Guion, arrived at a world class conditioning strategy based upon cross training that worked extraordinarily well for Tevis training. The result of this amazing team of coaching, a 41st finish for my Morgan Stallion’s first 100, what ends up being a historic accomplishment for the Morgan breed. Thanks Potato and I look forward to more fun on the trail. Drew

Partners

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:07:01 GMT

Jun 14, 2008 L. Durkin
I just met Potato a week ago, and was impressed about his connections with his horses, which he did from the day they were born. The day I bought my horse, he was running alone in a small pasture, hardly socialized with humans or other horses. My heart swelled with pride and disbelief of what I had just done. What was more intriguing to me, was that, on that day, MY horse began to have a different personality. He knew he finally found a partner! It was the beginning of our relationship. Who knows what we will accomplish together!

Thank you Zoltaan

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:01:36 GMT

Jun 07, 2008 Julie
Blessings.. and thanks to Zoltaan, Potato and Heather for taking me on "my kind of ride". Amazing views, especially "Deer Point". Zoltaan, has a mighty motor, and no wonder he eats avocado and yams for a snack: - Oh I wish I ate as well as him. Thanks again for the ride.

Stacy westfall's champinship run 2008

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:52:32 GMT

hayy, u rock at riding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! peace !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My mentor

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:52:31 GMT

Feb 20, 2008 Nathalie wrote:
Potato and his horse Fifi d'or were an new open door on the equestrian world and to myself. Potato is my mentor in endurance and as a European trainer, I more than appreciate his qualities technique on the sport, pschycologique for the rider and his knowledge on the horses care. He and his horses gave me a lot more respect for the Arabian breed. AMAZING!

Cougar Rock

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:18:05 GMT

Jan 28, 2008 - Potato added this story -
The followig is feed that is from the Tevis Post "Smart Trail Riding Forum" - Cougar Rock - 175 Days till Tevis 2008. A good day to ride, nice and sunny. If you watch the video collection on this web site you will see riders attempting Cougar Rock in 2007. I say attempting Cougar Rock because some didn't make it up. Some went around to the right after a few attempts since there is a trail to the right just before the rock that allows those who have difficulties or are just not wanting to try. There is even one rider who got to the top in a way I have never seen before. She went around to the left of the rock. Next time I am up there I plan to examine it close to see how she did that. I didn't even know it was possible and I have been climbing that thing for over 30 years. Anyway if you examine the riders closely you will observe that the ones who have the most difficulties are also the same riders who have several obvious handicaps in my opinion. First handicap is they are too far back in the saddle. If you review my short video where I give a demonstration with the wheelbarrow in the video collection link, you will see why this kind of position is so bad. Another thing I see a lot of in this Cougar Rock video is riders with a lot of excess baggage on their saddles. I recommend you give that baggage to your crews and have them bring it to the vet stops where you would more then likely need it if at all. One more observation I have about this experience is that when your horse has the horse in front of it still in its sight it is more likely going to follow it. Hopefully the rider in front of you goes the correct way. There was a sergeant at arms telling everybody to go one at a time and the consequences of that was your horse would lose sight of the rider in front and not be able to follow. I understand that this year that problem will not exist thank goodness. I can say without exception I have been up or down Cougar Rock literally more then a hundred times, mostly up and I have never had a problem. Most of the problem starts in your mind and the horse picks up on that, add the other situations mentioned above and you will most certainly encounter a problem. I look forward to your perspective on this subject.

Introduction

potato@jps.net (Potato Richardson) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:29:56 GMT

Introduction - Hello Tevis Post viewers This is a discussion website, or blog, dedicated to those interested in the Tevis Ride. Our goal is to help everyone who supports the ride and or riders to achieve their goal! It would be a great pleasure to see everybody that challenges the course to take home a buckle or another certificate as the case may be; after all, "it only takes one buckle to hold up your pants". If we all share our experiences, problems, and pleasures, we should all profit. Please help make this website a focal point for Tevis Cup enthusiasts. In this formal section of the blog, we post approved blog postings and emails to Potato or the Tevis Post. Feel free to make your statement and if you wish you may include images or links to websites. You may either post your message on the blog, or email Potato or the website. Emails may include your images.