Jenni Smith and Stoner, Tevis 2014

Rather than share a blow-by-blow account of the ride, which I've done a couple times before, I thought I’d do a pithy (yeah, right :)) list of key memories and learnings from Tevis 2014;

The weather was remarkable – mild and slightly humid. I didn't even put a jacket on as I left the trailer I crashed in on Friday night to saddle up Stoner at 4:00 AM (near Truckee, CA - elevation nearly 6,000 ft.). It was a gift everywhere but in the canyons, which seemed their typical scorching, torturous selves. The finish rate and times are reflective of getting about a ten degree discount on race day.

Even on a sure-footed horse, you can wipe out. Stoner is a careful and nimble horse. I've ridden the other end of the spectrum and he really is good on his hooves. But about 10 miles into the ride, doing fast switchbacks on level but silty ground, he got his front legs tangled and we somersaulted forward. I remember waiting (it seemed eons) to see if he’d recover…if that head and neck would reappear in front of me. Then I just closed my eyes and heard the loud sound of my helmet making contact with the earth. I held my breath hoping he wouldn’t roll over me, but we didn’t collide.

Next thing I knew I was on my feet running up the trail after him, calling for riders in front to catch my horse. We’re all still pretty tightly packed that early in the ride and the woman riding directly in front of me had heard the wreck and stopped and dismounted. She was easily able to catch a clearly-bewildered Stoner. I ran up to him, re-mounted and off we went. I asked Kevin (Stoner’s owner, riding directly behind me) a couple of times if Stoner looked okay. Neither of us could detect any anomalies in the way the horse was moving so we just kept going.

- See more at: Thoughts on Tevis 2014

Jenni Smith and Stella, Tevis 2013

The start (5:15 AM) was dark and dusty, per the usual. Jenn and I were in Pen 1 (you have to qualify based on strong performances the 18 months prior) and we went out behind perhaps 30-40 riders. We were able to pass a few horses on our way to Squaw, but that was where we really were able to move up. The mares trotted up 95% of the climb to Watson's Monument. It was really impressive, they were like wind up toys. I asked a couple of hikers at the top of the monument how many horses has gone by and they said four or five. So we were in the top ten at that point. 

Granite Chief - a spectacularly beautiful but treacherous portion of the ride - was smooth and simple. Czoe led through the bogs and rocks along the tiny snaking trail as if she was channeling a mountain goat, Stella in her wake.  Three other riders drafted us most of the way through this section. The mares drank well at each water stop and we got through the first vet check at Red Star - a risky spot for Czoe who is more susceptible to cold and will start to shiver if she has to stand too long in it - without a hitch. We left there jut before 9:00 AM as the fifth and sixth horses. 

The mares were eager out of Red Star and we traveled fast into Robinson Flat (six miles further). Jenn was concerned about getting in ahead of the schedule we'd given our crew. We ended up only arriving about 10 minutes early (just after 9:30), but half of our crew and the majority of our equipment had been held up on the road in. We managed to cobble things together until they arrived and the vet check went smoothly. 

- See more at: Tevis 2013 - The Story