Tevis 2011 without Cougar Rock

Well Tevis 2011 is finally over and it was not without challenges. The WSTF board of governors certainly had their work cut out for them this year. As most know the original ride date of July 16th was cancelled because of the tremendous snow pack still on the trail. So the new date of October 8th was finally selected and that was not easy, there are loads of different obstacles the have to be over come when time is short to make changes. Then way out of normal came an early storm that dumped 22 inches of snow on the very location that the ride normally starts, Robie Park. That made starting at Robie impossible. So at the 11th hour the leaders with less then 48 hours till starting time changed the trail route completely and started in Auburn rode out as close to fifty miles as they could muster at that late time and turned the trail around and brought the riders back to Auburn. It was basically two fifty mile rides back to back. What are the final consequences of this predicklement? Let's talk with respect to the foundation as well as the riders. First the foundation had already spent a lot of money in preparation and the financial loss would have been catastrophic, meanwhile riders had gathered to do the ride from all over the world at no small expense. I personally had a rider from England as well as one from South Africa, so I know personally some of the challenges. The BOD did make it clear that anyone who did not want to ride could either get a full refund or roll their entry over to the next year. A few did that but nearly 200 took on the challenge. When all was finished the riders were pretty much satisfied and everyone was absolutely astonished at the efficiency of the foundation as well as the hundreds of volunteers that made the ride possible.

So Tevis 2011 will go down in History hopefully as the biggest challenge ever and also one that demonstrated that once again "Anything is possible". However Tevis without Cougar Rock is like salt without pepper, so the few new riders who earned a Tevis buckle this year say they will be back again to take on the Cougar Rock Challenge.

Tevis Annual Christmas party

This is always a fun event be there!


HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
December 11, 2010
Elks Lodge, 195 Pine Street, Auburn, California
5:30 to 11:30 p.m.

$35 per person
No-Host Bar · Hors d'oeuvres · Dinner Buffet · Dessert · Dancing
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Raffle: Tevis Cup Ride Entry, Diablo Trail Ride Entry,
Washoe Valley Ride Entry, Gift Baskets and much more!!!!!
PLEASE R.S.V.P.,
send number attending and check made payable to WSTF
by December 1, 2010, to
WSTF Office
1216-C High Street
Auburn, CA 95603

Lets make 2011 a banner year for rides.

Ok everybody get ready for 2011. Plans are under way to organize trips to about 5 endurance rides including one or two that will be in countries outside USA. The main one outside the USA that comes to mind is Florac the 160 km French ride they call the French Tevis Cup. The plans are to get a group together sort of a club affair to see the USA on Endurance rides. Most don't have the wherewith all to do this as an individual so as a group we can do it cheaper and have more fun. Watch this page for more details very soon! This can be a real blast for a group of us to get organized as sort of a team. Perhaps we can be the Endurance Riders International or ERI riders as opposed to the FEI riders. I guarantee we will have more fun as the rules of FEI Will not apply to us. That is what Endurance riding is all about, having fun not the color of your shirt.

PS: The Tevis 2011 entries are now available on http://www.teviscup.org

PPS: If your planning to ride Tevis 2011 let me know so we can have a special list for notices.

Tevis Ride 2010 #55

Well this is a busy week for sure. Most riders are now focusing on the Wednesday night BBQ in Auburn and see fellow riders and get ready for the move to Robie Park starting Thursday for many and of course Friday is the most active time for all. Robie Park in all it's beauty is ready and waiting. While the entries were slow coming in this year the last day before the 100 Dollar late saw a large barrage of paperwork for Joannie. So As I sit here writing this entry my mind thinks about all the riders across the nation as well as the world who are in the various stages of "ready". Some are already here and many are on the road for sure. Where are You?

Interesting this blog stuff. On another blog, bootsandsaddles4mel.blogspot, Mel describes his Tevis ride experience this year. Then "On the Bit" another blogger commented and asked "Now this might be a stupid question, but what makes that race special compared to the others?. Now do I respond to her directly on Mel's blog or should I go to "On the Bit's" blog to respond?
I don't know so I will respond on my blog "TevisPost.blogspot" The answer to On the bits question is; Once you ride the Tevis, no matter if you finish or not, you will be hooked! Of course there are a few exception but not many. I first saw a Tevis Buckle in 1972 and my mentor Paige Harper offered to help me get "one of those" He helped me buy my first endurance horses a appaloosa who was not a endurance horse and Paige and I rode together several times a week. He introduced me to Dru Barner and Wendell Robie and I was immediately hooked on the sport of Endurance. Paige and I rode together till he got his 1000 Mile Buckle. If you research the Tevis records you can see that Paige won the Tevis Cup in 1962 and the Haggin Cup the first year it was awarded in 1964 and he won it again in 1968 on a stallion named Raskela owned by Betty and Ralph Devers who were the timers for Tevis and many other rides for years and years. Paige passed away during the AERC Convention in 1978 he received his 1000 mile buckle in 1977. I give Paige credit for me receiving my 2000 Mile buckle this year 2009. So to answer the question why Tevis? It's the challenge to me.

Make money working for a better Tevis

Wow! This is the first time that I know of that the BOD of Tevis has offered to pay someone to help put on the ride. Of course there has always been a office manager who processed the ride applications and such but over the years nearly everything has been done by volunteers. I recall many a night years ago when we would gather at Heart Federal to assemble ride packages etc. So here is a listing copied from the Tevis website for a paid position. Considering the fact that I have been around Tevis since 1972 perhaps I should consider this position for myself. Over the past 30 plus years I have shared the spirit of Tevis worldwide for sure and this would be a good excuse to do more of it and perhaps make a few bucks at the same time. I can see it now a booth at the super "Salon de Cheval" the big horse expo that is in Paris every December. Ten days long and a blast, of course Paris is always a blast. For any of you that want more information on Tevis visit my site, www.PotatoRichardson.com as well as www.Teviscup.org of course.

Anyway take a look at the messsage below and pass the word around.

The Western States Trail Foundation is seeking a Relationship Manager who will be the point of contact for all fund-raising efforts for the WSTF. The Western States 100-Mile-One-Day Ride (Tevis Cup) has a worldwide reputation as being the first and most challenging of all equine endurance rides. In the past, funding has come from Ride entries, individual donations, grants, ride sponsorships and local advertising. In addition to past sources, local, state and federal grant opportunities and large or corporate sponsors are potential funding sources. The Relationship Manager will be responsible for identifying funding opportunities, soliciting funding and/or developing programs or deliverables to accomplish fund-raising, and work with the Ride organizers to implement long-term fund-raising programs. The manager will be responsible for fostering continuing positive relationships with sponsors and donors.
This will be a contractual relationship with a firm or individual as an independent contractor. Compensation will be a monthly base plus commission. Initially the work will be less than full time with the expectation that a successful fund-raising program could lead to a full-time relationship and commensurate compensation. The successful applicant will be self-motivated, have exceptional interpersonal skills, and demonstrable experience in marketing, sales, fund-raising, grant writing, promotions or similar work. Knowledge of the endurance and equestrian world would be extremely helpful. The Foundation is located in Auburn, California, and successful candidates will be expected to be located in near proximity.
Applications will be accepted until December 1, 2009, or until the contract has been let.
CONTACT: Tom Johnson, treasure WSTF, email at trjllc@zetabroadband.com.

Tevis Christmas 2009

Every year the BOD of Tevis (AKA Western States Trail Foundation 100 Mile one Day Ride), have a Christmas party. If you live anywhere near Auburn, California you should by all means attend this party.

Time to visit with your trail buddies:

WESTERN STATES TRAIL FOUNDATION ANNUAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION!!
December 12, 2009, 5:30-11:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 195 Pine Street, Auburn, CA.

Cost: $35 per person, hors d'oeuvers, buffet dinner, and dessert.
No host bar. Great prizes being raffled including a TEVIS Entry.
Contact: Kathie Perry, 916-663-3869.