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The "Easyboot Ride & Tie Championship" competition will be held on June 21
in Jackson State Forest, just 9 miles east of Fort Bragg, CA. One hundred
teams consisting of two humans and one horse (or mule!) will race for 40
miles on old log roads and game trails in the redwood forest. Rumor
regarding the origins of the sport describe how it is run.
According to legend, outlaws raided a homestead over a century ago,
kidnaping the women folk and slaughtering all the livestock they didn't
rustle. When the husband and oldest son returned on foot, leading their pack
horse from a hunting trip, they clearly saw the bad guys' tracks across the
plains. The men took off in pursuit, the father riding the horse, his son
running. The rider quickly outdistanced the runner, but when he had
galloped a mile or two ahead, the father jumped off the horse, tied him to a
tree, and took off running on foot after the outlaws. Eventually, the son
ran up to the horse, untied and mounted him, and galloped after his father,
only to "leap-frog" past him, tying the horse to another tree a couple miles
down the trail. In this way, one always riding while the other was running,
the father and son caught up with the outlaws and rescued their women.
At this year's 27th incarnation of the Ride & Tie World Championship, an
anticipated 100 horses with their 200 human partners will battle the dust,
rocks, hills and miles to ride, run, walk and survive the grueling course.
Ride & Tie competitions held internationally prepare contestants for the
Championship, which is located in a different location each year.
Competitors range in age from pre-teen to mid-seventies, with individual
competitions for man/man, man/woman and woman/woman teams (sex of the horse
not to count!). One of the most hotly contested categories is the "Century
in the Saddle" awards, with additional prizes given for the first teams
whose combined age of humans is over 100 years. A good way to enter the
sport is in the "Pro-Am" division, in which a novice Ride & Tier teams up
with an experienced competitor. Many old time "RATs" (Ride & Tiers) are
enthusiastic about teaming up with novices, for the benefit of the sport.
Site of the Mendocino 50 Endurance Race for sixteen years, Jackson State
Forest offers hundreds of miles of trails though towering redwood and fir,
from lush river valley to razor ridge tops. The course will be a
challenging 44 miles in four loops, with all vet checks at base camp for the
convenience of crews and the entertainment of spectators. Although most of
the footing on trail is hard or soft packed dirt, some areas contain sharp
rock and/gravel. Easy boots or pads are recommended.
Camp and course will open early for pre-riding. Ride & Tiers and their
families will enjoy an idyllic outdoor experience, with many activities
available locally, including deep sea fishing, nature hikes, bicycling,
trail rides on the beach, ocean kayaking, excellent theater, music and other
entertainment, and much fine art and crafts.
Are you qualified to enter this Ride & Tie? Surprisingly, folks who would
never dream of entering more than a 10K run or riding more than a few hours
at a time are often successful at Ride & Tie. Believe it or not, you
actually rest while riding, and work out the riding kinks while running.
Super-humans who run at the front of the pack train all year to excel at the
sport, and the middle finishers are all strong runners, also. But those who
choose to accept the challenge to achieve their personal best may often
finish by alternating walking with jogging while on the ground, and
interspersing walking with trotting and cantering on horseback. A future
article will focus on folks aged from 7-72 years who proudly wear their R&T
completion buckles.
How do the horses handle being ridden 40 miles in mountainous terrain?
Exceptionally well! Resting while tied on the trail waiting for the next
runner, horses often enter the veterinary check area ready to be presented
to the veterinarians within minutes after a drink of water. The equine
partner must pass a veterinary examination both before and after the
competition, as well as four times during the event. Horses are tested for
metabolic stress and locomotive soundness; any who fail to pass the
stringent examination retire from the race. Pulse and respiratory rates, as
well as factors such as capillary and jugular refill time, skin response to
tenting, color of mucus membranes, "gut" sounds and muscle tone must all
recover to within normal parameters before the horse is allowed to continue
past a "vet check". The horse must not be sore, lame or injured. Knowledge
of conditioning techniques are often a deciding point of difference between
competitors; strategy begins long before the race itself.
Arabian horses typically are used for long distance horse event. However,
one year, when the race was held in temperatures over 100F in the Sierras, a
local 12.2 hand high chestnut gelding named Sham took his two female riders
to third place awards, outdistancing many taller, fancier horses who did not
have his "heart". Many fit Quarter Horses, Appaloosas and Morgans compete;
last year, a 16.2 hand high mule
took home a trophy buckle.
And what is an "Easyboot"? The Championship Race sponsor produces
innovative hard rubber horse boots which can either be used in place of
traditional iron shoes, or worn over them. Easyboots cover the entire hoof,
much like an equine equivalent of the human running shoe. Traditionally
used if a horse throws a shoe unexpectedly, their ad showing a cowboy
leading his horse down the trail says is all: "Carry an Easyboot, or get a
sense of humor!" The first team to cross the finish line wearing Easyboots
will receive a special cash award.
For more information about the sport, contact the "Ride & Tie Association"
at 916-268-8474. Three books to help you become an avid competitor include:
Ride & Tie...The Challenge of Running and Riding" by Don T. Jacobs; "What is
this Madness" by Bud Johns (the founder of the sport), Synergistic Press;
and "Endurance Riding from Beginning to Winning" by Lew Hollander.
CAMP INFORMATION
Race camp is located in Jackson State Forest, 9 miles inland from the ocean
as the crow flies, in a cool canyon under the redwoods, along the headwaters
of the Noyo River. Days should range in the 70's, but nights can be quite
chilly, 'specially if the fog rolls in. Ample water for horses is available
in the creeks, but campers should bring their own for drinking. Horse
camps will be tucked among the trees, and the base-camp manager will ask
that early arrivers camp towards the back of the camping area. Portacorrals
may be set up within the grassy areas which are not open for vehicles.
Please limit the size of corrals so that everyone has space for one. Dogs
are allowed, but must be on leash at all times. A public telephone at camp
accepts only calling-card calls out, and no calls in. Cell phones will have
a tough time in the canyon. Camp will open Friday, June 13th, and the
marked trails will be open Saturday, June 14. Large topo maps of Jackson
State Forest may be purchased for $5.00 (707-964-5674) Jackson State is
the largest State Forest in California, larger than some National Forests.
Don't get lost!
Since special permission has been given to base camp with horses in this
area, all horse manure must be bagged and disposed of in designated pickup
stations. Please plan to recycle and dispose of trash in provided
receptacles. Let's leave the forest as pristine as we found it.
Groceries, gas, B&B's, motels, restaurants, showers and beautiful beaches
are only 9 miles away in the town of Fort Bragg. Ten miles further south is
Mendocino village, with many art galleries, shops, and even more
restaurants, beaches and lodging. Call the Chamber of Commerce at
707-961-6300 for further information or brochures.
Ricochet Ridge Ranch boards horses for $15/night across from Ten-Mile Beach
in Mackerricher State Park, 12 miles from basecamp, for those who plan to
arrive early, or who prefer not to camp with their horses.
LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS
CLEONE LODGE 800-400-2189; 707-964-2788 (across from Ricochet Ridge & Ten
Mile Beach, 2 mi. N. of Fort Bragg, $74-135.00, offers 10% discount
for 5 nights or more (has outdoor hot tub, walk to beach, some
units with kitchens, also cottage and house by beach available)
MENDOCINO HOTEL800-548-0513; 707-0511 (in Mendocino Village, $65-225.00,
European style through delux suites; two restaurants, full bar, walk to beach)
MENDOCINO COAST RESERVATIONS: 800-262-7801; 707-937-5033; Private home
rentals ranging in price from $85-225.00/night.
SURF MOTEL 707-5361 (closest to race site, on Hwy 1 just N. of Hwy 20).
$55-100.00
SEABIRD MOTEL 800-345-0022; 707-964-4731 (in Fort Bragg, $78-85.00;
indoor pool & hot tub, all units have small fridge & coffee maker)
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 707-961-6300
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
--Jackson State Forest is a "demonstration" forest, studying various tree
harvest practices. It also allows "multiple use of the resource" (including
nearly unlimited riding and running!) Do not enter active logging areas!
Log trucks will be hauling on "Road 300" and other roads during the week
preceding our event. Pay attention to your maps to avoid conflicts with log
trucks. Drive very slowly, and stay to the right.
--Although many miles of trails are available for riding and running, you
could easily become lost if you leave the race's marked course.
--No motorized vehicles of any type on the course.
--Open fires only in designated fire rings in camps.
--All horse manure in camping areas MUST be collected, bagged, and disposed
of at designated collection points. This means all manure except on the
race course.
--No smoking on the course.
--No shooting or hunting allowed in camp or on the course. Fishing is
allowed (bring your license) in the Noyo River.
HORSES FOR LEASE
Horses experienced at Ride & Tie and/or endurance racing are available for
lease from Lari Shea at Ricochet Ridge Ranch for $450, which will include
tack, fresh shoes, feed & appropriate supplements, and some support crew.
Phone 707-964-7669; fax 707-964-9669; email larishea@horse-vacation.com;
http://www.horse-vacation.com
"Try-out weekends" with accommodations for two at the Cleone Lodge B&B, and
one day practice/instruction: $400.00
HOW TO GET THERE
The Easyboot Ride& Tie Championship race campground is located 120 miles
north of San Francisco. From north or south, take Highway 101 to the town
of Willets. Turn west onto Hwy 20, and proceed for 27 winding miles through
Jackson State Forest. Watch for small white mile markers along the side of
the highway, which will decrease in number as you approach the Coast. After
27 miles, just after the 6.2 mile marker and approximately 5.8 miles before
the Coast, turn right onto Road 350, which will be well marked. Follow this
narrow dirt/gravel road for 3 miles to main camp. Look for camp maps
and/or camp manager for assistance in finding a camp site.
Lari Shea http://www.horse-vacation.com
Ricochet Ridge Ranch Riding Vacations on the Mendocino Coast with
24201 North Highway One Lodging at Unique B&B Inns; International Riding
Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Akhal Teke and Russian Orlov/cross horses
707-964-7669ph/ 707-964-9669 fax At stud: RRR Stolichnaya & RRR Russia
1-888-TREK-RRR (888-873-5777)
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