Re: tevis help

[Stephanie Teeter <step@bluefish.fsr.com>]

Samm, I get thrills when I think of my Tevis experience last
year - so just couldn't help adding a few more comments.

Take your time for the first 30 miles! We literally walked
up the entire Immigrant Pass trail and were passed by countless
sweaty, laboring horses trotting and cantering up the mountain.
After the pass there are sections of unbelievably tough trail-
rocks and boulders, very treacherous footing- we went very
slow here as well. We reached the Robinson Flat check in
200th place! The remainder of the day was a 'normal' conservative
100 mile ride - walked the steep downhills, tailed up the
canyons and made good time when the footing allowed. We
actually made our best time at night. Once it cooled
down we had tons of horse left and really moved out. We
spent extra time at Forest Hill and White Oak Flat letting
the horses eat - probably an hour extra in total - and still 
finished in plenty of time (60th). 

Before the ride we studied all the past results - made a
guess at where in the pack we wanted to be at each hold,
and used that guess to target our time in and out of each
check. It gave us good feedback as the day went on and
gave us confidence that we were pacing well. 

To prepare for the ride here's what worked well for me:

1. Be in good physical shape - it's a LONG HOT ride, and
quite demanding physically and mentally. Get yourself as
fit as possible.
2. Study the course - read everthing you can about the trail.
When you're tired and your brain isn't working, it will help
you a lot.
3. It's well worth it to pre-ride some of the course. We rode the
Forest Hill to White Oak Flat section - and it made a BIG
difference. We were able to relax more as it got dark, and
the horses flew along the section of trail that they
recognized. 
4. Attend the pre-ride seminar and listen to everything
the seasoned riders tell you. And do everything they say
to do! 

I guess I could go on forever.... it's such an incredible
experience. I can't wait to do it again some day!

Enjoy :)

Steph

>>>>> "Debbyly" == Debbyly  <Debbyly@aol.com> writes:

    > will be extremely helpful to your horse if you can get off and
    > run or walk some of the infamous canyons.  You hit them in the
    > heat of the day and they can be tough.  You do NOT need to be
    > fast.  A steady slow jog on the steep downhills and a steady
    > walk on the steep uphills.  Tailing the uphills is an excellent
    > idea.  If you haven't trained your horse to tail, I would highly
    > advise it.  When you get to the top of the long steep hill at
    > Devil's Thumb your horse will be fresh if you tail while the
    > other horses who have carried a rider up that hill will be very
    > tired and will take a long time to recover .

    > Try to get as much heat training as you can.  It is usually
    > quite hot although it is a much drier heat than what you are
    > used to.

    > Tevis is a ride for the tough, not necessarily the fast.  If you
    > can maintain a moderate steady pace all day you will do fine.
    > Many people start out too fast and then fade.  The pull rate for
    > failure to recover at the first major vet check at 30 miles is
    > very high.

    > The first half of the ride is very rocky.  I would recommend
    > pads or easy boots.

    > You need to be very careful about taking care of yourself,
    > eating, drinking and keeping from getting too hot.  Carry lots
    > of water and keep yourself and your horse wet as much as you
    > can.  Carry a sponge on a string so you can drop it in the water
    > whenever you cross a stream without getting off your horse.
    > Practice this so the horse doesn't the sponge is a water monster
    > out to eat him.

    > Feel free to ask me any specific questions as you go along in
    > your preparations.

    > Debby