Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

  As I begin these last comments about our Tevis experience this year, 
I want to collectively thank all of you
who have called and emailed and "snail mailed" your good wishes and 
congratulations. We have heard from all around the country, Canada
and Australia, in numbers too great to respond to individually, and I 
apologize for that. Though John Henry as a Tennessee Walker
offers some fascination for people, I hope all the other riders who 
either finished or bravely attempted the Tevis receive
the recognition they deserve, as well. For those who didn't make it this 
time, keep on trying. It worked for us.:)
For those who did finish, I can relate to how your lives must feel 
changed now.
 We poured our heart and soul into preparing for this ride, and proved 
once again the truth
of the old adage that, "You get out of life what you put into it." We 
gave hundreds of hours of work toward
horse and human conditioning, drove thousands of miles, lost countless 
nights of sleep, and struggled with thoughts
of doubt and fear of possible impending failure.
 The gifts received in return include: A level if fitness I haven't 
experienced since my youth, if ever. A very fit horse
that showed he could tackle the Sierras, not finish last, and have a 
little extra left in the tank. A feeling of conquest
over doubt and fear, and, nights of restful sleep.Not to mention a 
whole slew of new friends.  Fifteen years ago,
I attempted my first Tevis, and though my horse did well, I became ill 
and couldn't finish.
Five more attempts brought further disappointment, as we failed to reach 
the finish line.
But those failures drove me on to better methods of preparation, rather 
than quitting, as some people
so often choose, and that's a shame. If we set any example through all 
of this, it should be that, though finishing
was very sweet, growth is in the striving, and preparing for and riding 
the Tevis trail is one of the most challenging and rewarding things
one can do in this life, on horseback or otherwise.
 I remember reading a story a long time ago, about an old circus lion 
who is accidentally freed from his transport
wagon while the circus is traveling through the countryside to the town 
of its next performance. The lion, well past his prime,
weakened and stiffened by the ravages of time, and out of his element, 
seeks shelter in a nearby forest. Soon, a dozen wolves that
inhabit the area learn of his presence, and, with their superior 
numbers, see the lion as an easy evening meal. As they circle and
attack, the lion feels the years peel away in his muscles, his bones, 
and his heart. The stiffness in his arthritic
back melts away, and the power returns to his loins and paws. He is 
renewed, and gallantly defends himself, reveling in each
slash of his claws, each snap of his jaws, each leap of retreat and 
attack. When the last wolf is dispatched, the lion
rediscovers that enduring symbol of his youth--his kingly roar.  With 
that, he lies down one last time for his final rest. When he is
finally found by the circus owners, the scene clearly tells the tale of 
what had happened.
 The point of this story is that all lions, even old ones, like to 
roar. If you are even
remotely interested in doing it, I encourage you to try.  Whether you 
are young or a little
longer in the tooth, riding the Tevis will rejuvenate you, and change 
you in ways not found in common life.

 John Henry and I did not, and could not, have done this alone. Our 
support group reaches far and wide.
Without question, the person who gave the most toward our success was my 
wife, Dayna. She is phenomenal person,
wife, friend, crew person, and horsewoman. She will be riding Tevis next 
year, as she has some well
deserved "roaring" to catch up on. We hope to see you all there again 
next year.  Thanks again,  Bruce Weary

            

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