[RC] 20 Mule Team 100 Winner: Why Tie, when you can Ride? - Fleabit1Greetings Ridecampers! Congratulations again to Michele Roush Shaw (first)and Dennis Tracey (2nd), competitors in last weekend's 20 Mule Team 100 mile event!! Notably, both are active in the sport of Ride & Tie. Is it more than a coincidence? Please read on... The TEVIS in 2002 started 216 horses. 93 completed. Over 20% of those completions were awarded to competitors active in the sport of Ride & Tie. Furthermore, 4 of the Top 10 are active Ride & Tie competitors. Including the winner of the Haggin Cup. There is probably something about Ride & Tie that will improve your endurance career. Tom Christofk, fourth place at The TEVIS in 2002 when asked if the sport of Ride & Tie gave him an advantage in endurance. "Yes absolutely. Without a doubt." His advice to endurance riders getting started in Ride & Tie? "Get off and walk. Try tailing. Do a little bit of practice. Call The Ride and Tie Association (650 949-2321) and go to a practice party. Everybody is welcome. Check out the website. Experience one, that is the best way, experience one." The sport of Ride & Tie combines endurance riding and trail running. Each team consists of two people and one horse. It is terrific fun, because you don't have to run the whole course, but take turns switching back and forth with your partner from running to riding to running….or walking. (see Endurance News, November 2002 issue, page 39 for tips and encouragement from veteran ride & tier Melissa Ribley DVM) Current competitors range in age from 10 years to 74 years of age. This is a sport for everyone. Sanctioned races are 20+ miles in length, with shorter 10-15 mile races offered concurrently to ease your entry into the sport. Races begin in January. The 33rd Annual World Championship Ride & Tie (all comers welcome, no qualifying requirements) is in Truckee Ca. on the 6th of September 2003. Get started with a smaller, local race. The full list of events is on the website at www.rideandtie.org but here are a few upcoming options: March 29th Shine & Shine Only (San Jose, CA) 650-949-2321 April 12th Passage Creek (Fort Valley, VA) 703-435-1911 April 26th Quicksilver Pro-Am (San Jose, CA) 650-949-2321 May 17th Santa Ysabel Pro-Am (Santa Ysabel, CA) 619-445-2060 May 18th Scioto Run (Chillicothe, OH) 800-516-9572 May 25th Cascade Challenge (Naches, WA) 360-681-5218 The Ride and Tie Association is active in bringing new people into the sport, which is introducing avid athletes to endurance riding. We are speaking to Triathlon Clubs, Running Clubs, getting sport coverage in Ultra Running, etc. As a result of this, you can probably be matched up with a partner who already does a lot of running. As the owner of the horse, you can pick and choose whom you would like to partner with. Take a look at the Partner Matching Page on the website at www.rideandtie.org and see if you find the right partner for you. If not, post your own details. If you have questions about the sport which are not answered on the Ride & Tie website, please call your local Ride & Tie mentors. These people are listed on the website, and want to help you get started in the sport. Many of them hold regular practices. Come on, Come Join Us! Michele Jay-Russell Member, AERC and Ride and Tie Assoc. Sacramento, California =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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