2015 Tevis Cup Luck

August 6 2015
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

So much of the Tevis Cup is Luck. Each horse and rider starts with a dose of Tevis Cup Luck; but it begins to trickle away at the starting line at 5:15 AM, and by the end of the ride, if you haven't used it all up, you've got a Tevis buckle.

Start with a fit horse and healthy rider, and your chance of finishing is still barely 50%. It's a tough trail to ride, a tough ride to crew.

Most people you talk to who have both ridden the trail and crewed for riders will confirm (and often emphatically!) that they'd rather ride than crew. I rode and finished Tevis in 2009; I'd helped crew for Nance a year or two after that… but I wasn't really one of the persons responsible. I had to step up to the plate a little more this year, no fancy cameras, no running off to take photos or take notes. I had riders to crew for!

Steph and I crewed this year for our Idaho friend Nance, who was sponsoring two Junior Canadians, Anya and Katya Levermann. I'd helped crew before so I had an idea of what to expect, and I knew where to go, which was essential for first time crew-ers Steph and parents Katrin and Peter Levermann...

Read more here:
http://merritravels.endurance.net/2015/08/2015-tevis-cup-luck.html

My Tevis Ride by Dace Sainsbury

by Pamela Burton
09/08/2015

Would you jump at the chance to ride the Tevis 100-mile trail in California, with the previous year’s winner as your mount?

Dace’s story:

“I first met Hillorie Bachmann whilst racing in Abu Dhabi for Emaar stables. I had been with this stables for only half of the season in the UAE so was really getting to know the people, horses and the track. Emaar looked after me so well in the races and I put a lot of trust in the trainers, grooms and the horses, which was invaluable for a newcomer. Hillorie gave me sound advice and supported me throughout the races, and our friendship soon grew to outside the endurance scene. I had never met such a strong, smart and still beautiful woman and I admired her in every aspect. She is my role model.

Hillorie and I had talked about me coming to the USA, but work and my own endurance commitments made it difficult. Early in 2015 however, Hillorie sent me an entry form via the web with my name and French Open as an entry for the Tevis Cup. This was 2014’s winning horse and this was the world renowned Tevis Cup challenge. I was going to make sure that I would be there...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2015/08/09/my-tevis-ride-by-dace-sainsbury/

Nine years since her last Tevis Cup, Napa's Lindsay Graham Fisher makes Top 10 again

August 9 2015
By Andy Wilcox

They’ve been companions on many memorable 100-mile rides during their eight years together – the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., the 2011 Patriot’s Day Endurance Ride at Lake Almanor, where they broke the North American record with time of 6 hours, 53 minutes, the 2012 Presidents Cup in Abu Dhabi – and now the oldest 100-mile trail ride in the world.

Napa’s Lindsay Graham Fisher returned to the Tevis Cup 100-Miles-In-One-Day Trail Ride after a nine-year hiatus on Aug. 1, this time with trusty 13-year-old gelding Monk, and pulled off her second Top 10 finish in three tries at the ride along the Western States Trail from Truckee to Auburn.

They placed eighth out of 201 entrants, only 90 of which were able to finish within the 24-hour limit. They arrived at McCann Stadium 18 hours, 9 minutes after the 5:15 a.m. start at Robie Park.

“Monk is an incredible horse and athlete. He has been gifted with talent that not many horses have,” Graham Fisher of the horse, which is owned by Chris and Nancy Martin of Penn Valley. “I am not sure that I can put into words how much Monk means to me and how lucky I am to have been able to share so many wonderful experiences with this horse. Monk means the world to me. I would do anything for him, as he has already done everything for me.”

It was Graham Fisher’s first Tevis Cup attempt since 2006 when, just six years after graduating from Vintage High School, she pulled off a seventh-place finish – at the time the best-ever finish by a Napa Valley entrant in the ride. Her horse was 19-year-old Phoenix Affair, which after this year’s ride remains the oldest horse to crack the Tevis Top 10. This year’s third-place horse came close, though, at 18 years, three months...

Read more here:
http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/nine-years-since-her-last-tevis-cup-napa-s-lindsay/article_d5dec725-5212-5f07-8c49-c969415abaaf.html

Haggin Cup winner, Auli Farwa, is a Special Horse

by Pamela Burton
7 August 2015

He actually believes that cantering everywhere is possible

7 August 2015, California ~ The Tevis Cup 100-mile Western States Trail is a pageant of endurance. In the after hours of the ride, top ten finishing horses over the course are given the chance to show for Best Condition. For the 1 August 2015 ride, this examination and observation gave the 2015 Haggin Cup Award to Auli Farwa (Far), a flashy 15-year-old Arabian gelding with a bold white face, ridden by Jenni Smith of Moraga, California.

The Haggin Cup, created in 1964, honors the horse in the most superior condition and recognizes the rider’s sportsmanship and horsemanship.

Smith and Far finished fifth, 54 minutes behind Tevis Cup winners Potato Richardson and SMR Filouette.

Smith said her chance to ride Far was due to a skiing accident.

“I was supposed to ride Kevin Myers’ horse Stoner (Farrabba) and he was to ride Far – the same as we had done in 2014, said Smith.” But in early February, a Telluride ski slope had other ideas and Kevin required knee surgery. Myers thought Far would be up for the Haggin Cup this year, and was the better choice for Smith.

Smith picked up the story: “I was very much up for riding Far, even though he is a jack hammer. He’s fun, he’s got bottomless go and he’s all business on trail. If there’s trail, he’s goin’ down it. And he actually believes that cantering everywhere is possible, which alleviates some of the punishment.

Besides, I was going for my 10th finish and attempting on a horse with a perfect score of 62 lifetime starts, all of which he’s completed, seemed prudent...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/2015/08/07/haggin-cup-winner-auli-farwa-is-a-special-horse/

Canadian mother and daughter conquer Tevis Cup

August 6, 2015

Alex Boates
devondispatch.news@sunmedia.ca

Last weekend the annual Tevis Cup race took place in California.

The race is known worldwide as being one of the most gruelling, treacherous and dangerous endurance horse races in existence.

But that didn’t scare away 22-year-old Jaylene Janzen and her mother Christy. The duo made their way down to California last week to take part in the ride, which covered 100 miles over some of the most difficult terrain.

“The terrain there is something I’ve never been on,” Jaylene said. “The first 36 miles was on a mountain in rocks, stuff that our horses aren’t used to. We’ve done mountain rides before in the Rocky Mountains here, but it’s completely different there.”

The mother-daughter pair had only 24 hours to complete the race. With 198 riders taking part, only 90 managed to cross the finish line.

Jaylene and Christy were two of those 90.

Both finishing with final times of 23 hours and 18 minutes, the two began their race at 5:15 on the morning of Saturday, August 1. The Janzen women would cross the finish line together at 4:33 the next morning...

Read more here:
http://www.devondispatch.ca/2015/08/06/local-mother-and-daughter-conquer-tevis-cup

IT'S ALL GRAVY: Potato Richardson cruises to his 3rd Tevis Cup title in field of 90 finishers

Monday Aug 03 2015
By: Ike Dodson of the Auburn Journal

Potato Richardson rode into the Fast Fridays Arena to the roar of applause with his head held high and his equestrian helmet hoisted even higher.

The 72-year-old endurance riding icon of Greenwood finished the 2015 Tevis Cup, a 100-mile endurance ride, in 10 hours, five minutes Saturday evening to claim his third event victory and 22nd finishing buckle on the Western States Trail.

A little tired, but radiating with post-race enthusiasm, Potato took pride in the latest feat of his life’s greatest passion.

“It took dedication, staying focused on goals,” Potato said a few minutes after his finish. “I knew I had it about three miles back.

“It’s not over till you cross that line...”

Read more here:
http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/8/03/15/its-all-gravy-potato-richardson-cruises-his-3rd-tevis-cup-title-field-90-finishers

Richardson and SMR Filouette Win 2015 Tevis Cup

By Marsha Hayes
Aug 2, 2015

A tough 60th anniversary Tevis Cup field packed with former winning riders and horses proved no match for Potato Richardson, 72, of Greenwood, California, and his 14-year-old chestnut Arabian mare SMR Filouette.

Running up front nearly all the way on the 100-mile Western States Trail in California, Richardson and Filouette finished 30 minutes before the second place team—Sizedoesntmatter, a 9-year-old gray Arabian gelding, ridden by Gwen Hall...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/36206/richardson-and-smr-filouette-win-2015-tevis-cup

Auli Farwa Receives Haggin Cup at 2015 Tevis Ride

By Marsha Hayes
Aug 3, 2015

After hours of observing the top ten finishing horses over the course of the 100-mile Tevis Cup ride, which took place Aug. 1, the cup committee named Auli Farwa (or "Far"), a 15-year-old Arabian gelding, and rider Jenni Smith of Moraga, California, the 2015 Haggin Cup winners.

The Haggin Cup, created in 1964, honors the horse in the most superior condition and recognizes the rider’s sportsmanship and horsemanship...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/36209/auli-farwa-receives-haggin-cup-at-2015-tevis-ride

Mother and daughter ready for a true test of endurance

Thursday, July 30, 2015 1:52:41 MDT PM

Alex Boates
devondispatch.news@sunmedia.ca

The Tevis Cup is no joke. The annual endurance horse race is known worldwide as one of the toughest, most gruelling horse races in existence.

And this Saturday, a local mother and daughter are giving it their best shot.

Jaylene Janzen and her mother Christy have headed down to California for the event, which features 100 miles of unforgiving terrain and hardly any rest points.

Competitors have a limit of 24 hours to complete the race, a feat that many riders are unable to achieve.

“It’s 100 miles of the most gruelling, treacherous terrain that any rider or horse will ever come across,” said Lisa Rosales, a family friend of the Janzens. Rosales will also be heading down to California to serve as a crew member for the Janzen team, along with Jaylene’s brother Brett...

Read more here:
http://www.devondispatch.ca/2015/07/30/mother-and-daughter-ready-for-a-true-test-of-endurance

Familiar Trail: Placer freshman Claire Ross will take on the 2015 Tevis Cup

July 20 2015
By: Ike Dodson of the Auburn Journal

Over 200 riders will traverse the Western States Trail from Tahoe to Auburn Aug. 1 for a 100-mile trek that’s considered the oldest endurance trail ride in the world —― the Tevis Cup.

The event, now in its 60th year of exhibition, will provide a particularly historic moment for a Placer County family that sprouted its root on the Western States Trail.

Claire Ross, an incoming freshman at Placer High and 13-year-old junior rider, will follow in the footsteps of her father, James Ross, and mother, Sandra Ross, by embarking on a family journey...

Read more here:
http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/7/20/15/familiar-trail-placer-freshman-claire-ross-will-take-2015-tevis-cup#.VbZ_WIS7wlY.facebook

Competitive, Eclectic Entries in the Tevis Cup 60th Anniversary

With just over a week left till the 60th anniversary of the Tevis Cup on August 1, a glance at the current entry list numbering 205 shows an competitive, diverse list of entries.

Seven previous Tevis Cup winners - five riders and two horses will contest this year's event. Potato Richardson ('98, 02), Heather Reynolds (2003, '14), Jeremy Reynolds ('04, '07, '11), John Crandell ('06, '10), and Garrett Ford (2012), are the winning riders; and Heraldic (06, '10), and French Open (2014) are the winning horses.

Eleven previous Haggin Cup winners - 7 riders and 4 horses - will return. Heather Reynolds ('99, '03), Michele Roush ('05), John Crandell ('06, '07), Jeremy Reynolds ('04, '11), Melissa Ribley ('09), Garrett Ford ('10), and Junior Barrak Blakeley ('14) are the riders; Heraldic ('06), The Fury ('10), Farrabba ('12), and MCM Last Dance, ('14). are the horses.

John Crandell calls his horse Heraldic, 17, "a freak of nature". He has overcome serious injury in his career to return to phenomenal winning success. After winning the "Triple Crown" of U.S. endurance in 2006 - the Old Dominion 100, Tevis, and the AERC National Championship 100 - he seriously injured his stifle and was off for two years. He came back in 2010 to win the "Triple Crown" yet again. After another setback and over three years off, the gelding came back again, winning this year's Old Dominion 100 again last month under Marcia Hefker-Miles. Marcia will be aboard him again in Tevis. Crandell will ride LR Bold Cody, who was second to Heraldic, and got Best Condition, in the Old Dominion...

Read more here:
http://tracks.endurance.net/2015/07/competitive-eclectic-entries-in-tevis.html

Familiar Trail: Placer freshman Claire Ross will take on the 2015 Tevis Cup

July 20 2015
By: Ike Dodson of the Auburn Journal

Over 200 riders will traverse the Western States Trail from Tahoe to Auburn Aug. 1 for a 100-mile trek that’s considered the oldest endurance trail ride in the world —― the Tevis Cup.

The event, now in its 60th year of exhibition, will provide a particularly historic moment for a Placer County family that sprouted its root on the Western States Trail.

Claire Ross, an incoming freshman at Placer High and 13-year-old junior rider, will follow in the footsteps of her father, James Ross, and mother, Sandra Ross, by embarking on a family journey...

Read more here:
http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/7/20/15/familiar-trail-placer-freshman-claire-ross-will-take-2015-tevis-cup#.VbZ_WIS7wlY.facebook

Adams pursues passion for horses

By Alana Flinn aflinn@gctelegram.com
July 19 2015

While some people spend years trying to find a passion or hobby, Garden City local Joyce Adams was lucky enough to discover a love for horses early in life, and has now dedicated her life to working with them.

The dedication to her lifelong passion is even noticeable when you call Adams and hear her voice mail message that says, “I’m probably out riding, so leave me a message.”

Adams founded the Miles of Smiles Therapeutic Riding Program in 1997, which blended Adam’s love for horses and teaching special needs children. The program offers horse riding lessons to special needs children in southwest Kansas.

“Just watching the kids gain some self confidence in themselves and see them improve their physical and mental abilities is amazing,” Adams said. “It gives them something to do, and in their minds, it makes them equal with everyone, because they’re doing something that a lot of kids don’t do.”

After several years as the director of Miles of Smiles, Adams took a step back from the organization in 2007. However, she wanted to continue working with horses, so Adams decided to pursue a longtime dream of hers: endurance riding...

Read more here:
http://www.gctelegram.com/lifestyle/neighbors/adams-pursues-passion-for-horses/article_0dd46b87-1119-5f2a-b17b-7c1083998d2e.html

Tevis Ride Nears Rider Limit

With 2 weeks and 1 day left till the 60th running of the Tevis Cup on August 1, 2015, over 200 participants have entered the ride. The maximum number of entries allowed is 220. If you have submitted an entry and you know you are not riding this year, please notify the office right away so they may know how many open spots remain. If you would like to ride this year and do not have an entry in, please send it in ASAP so they can have an accurate list of entries.

The Tevis Cup Ride is the founding modern-day equestrian event of its kind in the world. Today, there are hundreds of endurance riding events throughout the nation and in many countries overseas that are based upon the methods and standards originally established by this event. This includes the modeling of national organizations which sanction similar endurance riding events.

The WSTF has long recognized an obligation to continue the tradition that began decades ago. The Tevis Cup 100 Miles One Day Ride represents the Foundation''s commitment to the ideals of a pioneering experience along historically significant trails that traverse the scenic wilderness of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from east of Squaw Valley to Auburn. Since the origin of modern day endurance riding that started with this event in 1955, thousands of horsemen and their athletic steeds have sought the challenges of the Tevis Cup Ride. The event counts among its alumni many experts of American and International horsemanship.

The founders of the Tevis Cup event offered their vision of a majestic riding trail penetrating the wild beauty of mountain peaks and valleys hallowed by the Washoe and Maidu tribes and later crossed by explorers, settlers and gold-seekers. These founders declared that the virtue of such a trail would lie in helping preserve the historic significance of its route and would encourage people to return to a simple life perhaps furthering their appreciation of nature, history and the outdoors through the humane use of horses. Horsemen can trade the hectic world of traffic jammed freeways and skyscrapers for a realm of natural splendor while passing through cathedral-like groves of virgin forests that shelter vast numbers of wildlife. Therein lies the essence of the Tevis Cup Ride and the historic Western States Trail.