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Ron Chapman's story:

http://www.endurance.net/channels/2007/08/tevis-2007-better-late-than- 
never.html

Ron Chapman

I started riding endurance in March 2003 at the City Slicker. The  
year before I had called to see if I could ride in a ride at Cave Run  
Ky. When I called Connie Caudell to ask about the ride, she ask are  
you qualified, I said I think so. She said this ride is for the  
National Championship, I said I had never rode an endurance ride but  
would like to however I doubted I was ready for the N/C. She invited  
me to come up and help and learn. I went up and stayed all week,  
marking trail, working in vet checks, putting up tents, and anything  
else that needed done. It was a great experience, I learned a lot. I  
also met a lady named Linda Joyner who invited me to come to Memphis  
in the spring and ride the City Slicker with her. I did and that is  
another story, but I made it through the 50 and got the turtle award,  
and was hooked. I now have 265 LD mi. and with my Tevis Completion  
over 1000 Endurance Miles( My first 100).

I rode in the Daddy's Day Dashin mid June with Cherly Fenton. She had  
rode the Tevis in 2004 and finished 30th and she gave me alot of  
encouragement as I told her I planed to try it in 2008.

On monday after Father's Day I got a call from Paul Sidio, a guy I  
had rode with at a ride and we had shared our dreams about riding the  
Tevis Cup. He ask me if I would like to ride out to Reno with him,  
help drive and maybe help crew for him I said I would love to. A week  
or so later Paul called and said he felt that Barukh and I were as  
ready as He and Piper were and what did I think about loading and  
riding in the Tevis. I told him that I would love to but that would  
put him back to looking for a crew again and I wouldn't do that. He  
assured me he could get a crew, I said I will give you a week and if  
you find a crew we will talk but that I really couldn't afford it.  
The next day, in less than 24 hrs Paul called and said I have a crew  
and not to worry about the cost just chip in a little on gas since he  
would have to pull his three horse instead of the two horse so we  
would have room for hay and tack. (Thanks Paul)

Paul contacted Debbie Parsons and Chip Jack who had crew for the  
Bowen the year before and both had finished and got their buckle. The  
Bowens said they were great and they were along with Dovie Pickering  
we had a better crew than Tony Stewart.

Paul had also arranged for us to stay at Bob and Dovie Pickerings the  
week before the ride which was great for us and our horses. We were  
treated soooo good I am afraid to tell it all for fear of having to  
stand in line if I get the chance to go again. Thanks Bob and Dovie I  
hope someday you can come our way and we can return the favor. You  
are super people.

The Tevis was everything I excepted it to be and some, It is a ride  
like no other, Everything was first class, the ride committee (Most  
especially Robbin) was great, the volunteers were great, very  
friendly, very helpful, and everywhere you could want one just look  
up and thay were there. The Vet staff was so very very good and  
helpful and great cheerleaders. They no only took care of your horse  
but gave encouragement and cheered you on.

I rode with a lot of good people , at Last Chance I knew I was half  
way, was not going to top 10 (which I never thought I would) I felt  
good, had a lot of horse left and lots of time. At that point I told  
myself this Buckle is mine, all I have to do is ride smart.

When I left Forrest Hills I was moving right along passing riders in  
the dark when I came upon three people riding in the dark with no  
lights on and ask if I could pass when there was room . After riding  
a little ways behind them I could tell they knew the trail and I had  
never been on it before. They slowed down at the bad spots and moved  
out at all the good ones without the help of lights . Some other  
people came up behind us and ask to pass and when the people in front  
found a place they let them pass , they ask me if I would like to  
pass also, I said no, I made one mistake by asking to pass earlier,  
that I was fine right where I was. It turned out to be Robert Ribley  
and his wife, both got there 1000 mile Buckles at the award banquet.

We rode into Francisco together, and as I was leaving a little ways  
down the rocky trail I stumbled upon a lady who seemed sick or ill  
throwing up on the side of the trail. I asked if i could take her  
back to the vet check. Of course however she said no thanks that she  
was too close now to give up! I told her there was no way I would  
leave her that I would ride with her for what little comfort I could  
offer. As we rode she could not stand to trot for she hurt to badly,  
so we walked our horses to Lower Quarry. Not concerned about time,  
for I was positive we had plenty of time to finish, but worried for  
her for she felt so horrible. She was now my focus yet still keeping  
the focus of the ride in my mind. As we rode I became curious and  
asked her name, Georgianne Gross she told me. She also told me this  
would be her fith attempt on the Tevis. She had finish twice in the  
previous four attempts and assured me that we would finish in plenty  
of time.

When we left Lower Quarry, we trotted to Hwy 89 crossing about 2  
miles away. As we went up the little switchback, I heard the sound of  
a shoe being thrown and prayed I was wrong. However as it was sure  
enough Barukh had lost his right rear shoe. Now what to do I thought.  
I tried to get Georgianne to go on without me but she wouldn't have  
it! For my actions of kindness were now her returning kindness in a  
new friendship that had formed along this amazing journey. However,  
with just a mile left , I finally convinced her to go on and wait for  
me. Reluctantly she rode off ahead and finished three minutes ahead  
of me and was happily waiting at the end of the long trail by the  
finish.

I felt so great when i heard the cheering  
of,Debbie,Chip,Georgianne,and Paul, congratulating me as i rode head  
held high into the finish!

Paul had finished at 3:20 am it was 4:46am when I got in but he was  
there with the gang to cheer me home. I got my completion, did my  
victory lap ,we had made it.

I grabbed a phone and called my wife back in TN to let her know that  
Barukh and I had made it victory was ours. They were all so proud of  
us. Our three children had helped their mother keep track of me all  
day and through the night.

It was very gratifying the next day at the awards when a lady came up  
and hugged me, and with tears in her eyes she put a face on the voice  
I had heard in the dark the night before. It was Georgianne and with  
these words she almost made me cry. She said if it had not been for  
you I would not have got this buckle. It made it worth it all.  
Because had it not been for Paul Sidio and the Good Lord I would not  
have got mine either. So it made me feel good to gave back to someone.

So if you ever get the chance to do this GREAT RIDE called the Tevis  
Cup Don't pass it up. I promiss you will be glad you went.

God Bless
Ron Chapman

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