Tom Bache and Kenlyn Scarlet, Tevis 2012

I had a great experience at the Tevis Cup ride, and I'd like to share it with those who are interested. The compressed version is that I'm an old guy (now 69) who has had the good fortune over many decades to do a lot of interesting, challenging, and adventurous things, but Tevis is a very special
experience. Do it if you can!

The Tevis Ride is at a level far beyond that of other Endurance Rides -- the huge numbers involved as riders, volunteers, vets, crews, and spectators; the difficulty of the course and duration of the ride; and the duration and intensity of the overall experience. We spent an entire week with the Tevis
community at Auburn and Robie Park. Do try to spend time in Auburn where people know and support endurance riders. We really enjoyed our time with other riders and their support teams -- great people from around the country and the world.

It's been 4 1/2 years since I first climbed on a horse, and I only started endurance riding 3 1/2 years ago, so my observations are those of a relative novice. Tevis was my first 100. With this caution, I offer some comments about the course and lessons-learned for next time (God willing, there will be
a next time).

Read more: Some reflections on my experience at Tevis Cup 2012

Kevin Myers and Czar, Tevis 2007

Tevis Cup 2007: Frantic and Precarious

They say there is 19,000 feet of “up” and 22,000 feet of “down” on the Tevis trail across the 100-mile span from Truckee to the Fairgrounds in Auburn: the hardest and most coveted 100-mile race in the world. The stigma and safety issues have kept me away from Tevis and I always assumed that visually the ride would be as unforgiving as the technicality of the trail. I was very wrong: it is one of the most breathtaking locations on earth. The vistas are wide and the pines are strong; the rock formations are incredible and the lakes and rivers are the gold leaf on the crown of Tevis.

I felt like I was on the list under false pretences: the subject of Tevis had only come up in February, when I offered to crew for Clydea at Tevis in 07 as a gesture of thanks for letting me ride Zeb at three 50-mile rides during the winter while my young horses were being legged up to compete later in the year. Clydea smiled and nodded on the few occasions I mentioned it, but it was not until we were at dinner together one evening when she said “Rather than crewing for me, I would actually prefer it if you would ride the Tevis with me.” Why would anyone refuse an offer like that? Clydea has ridden Tevis at least six times, and this would undoubtedly provide a very rich experience for me to paste into my book of memories.

And so the training and planning and riding and strategizing began, overtaking most other things in life, or at least becoming embedded in them. We trained consistently – and I learned much from Clydea about building distance and speed. We drove up to pre-ride the last 66 miles of the trail in June, which showed me just how risky this ride was to be.

Read More: Tevis Cup 2007: Frantic and Precarious

Tevis 2013: As the Crew Sees It

About ten (uhhh...it's been a standing deal since we were about 15...so more than 10...) years ago, two girls agreed between themselves to crew for each other when they would ride Tevis. Never mind neither of them actually had a Tevis horse at that time, or had even ridden a 50-mile endurance ride.

Kaity Elliott and I were those two girls.

July 20, 2013, I was the first one to fulfill the crewing agreement when Kaity rode her horse Kody through their first Tevis...and first completion.

Read More:  http://gopony.blogspot.com/2014/05/tevis-2013-as-crew-sees-it.html

2010 Official Rider Entry List

2010 Tevis Cup Rider's List

Posted as of May 5, 2010

Have a Story?

Have a Tevis ride story you want to share? Email a copy of your story to ctsinatra at gmail.com with the subject line "Tevis Story". You can include pictures with your submission, but please ensure that all photographers are given appropriate credit. The goal is to make this blog a compliation of various peoples' (riders, volunteers, and crew) experiences with The Tevis Cup - Western States Trail Foundation 100-Mile One Day Trail Ride.

Official Tevis Cup Website