Tevis Forum 2014

2 ★ TEVIS FORUM 2014 It was twenty years ago when Kate and the late Heather Davis, formu- lated the creation of the Tevis Forum. Kate became its editor and the Forum became the single most important marketing tool and publica- tion for theWestern States Trail Ride. The Forum singularly binds all the pieces of the Ride together in the year round event. It is packed with history and informative material for riders and fans alike and has become the best tangible record of theWestern States Trail Foundation, sponsor of theWestern States Trail Ride 100-Miles One-Day Tevis Cup Ride. Prompted by a suggestion from Karen Nelson, Kate and Heather Davis also carried out a vision that has become known as FOWSTA (Friends of theWestern States Trail Alliance) that has proven to be wildly successful in raising money for the Endowment Fund that supports theWestern States Trail. Kate offers insight to the role she plays, “The organization is made up of multiple facets that when combined create the best event possible. The range includes the administration of theWestern States Trail Foundation, FOWSTA, Ride Management including the riders and horses coupled with the Veterinary control for the well being of the horses to the sponsors; each are lofty components in their own right contributing to the success of the Ride. The core-focus of the entire organization, of course, is the Western States Trail. All of these elements are galvanized together in the The 2014 Tevis Cup Ride – Dedicated to Kate Riordan Tevis Forum and are pivotal to keeping the Ride in perpetuity. When asked what has been her favorite part of working on the Forum, Kate was quick to reply, “I loved working on the 50 th AnniversaryWestern States Trail Ride, it was so wonderful to bring all the historical photographs together that culminated in the decades long event. “I know in my lifetime, I will never have a chance to again attain what the 50 th year of this Ride meant to me.” Not only does she value her seat as a member of the Board of Governors she says, “I feel it is a tremendous honor to be a member of the Cup Committee. I take my role very seriously and feel it is my duty to uphold the integrity of the principles. Some- times I feel like I am the person who takes the ‘lantern into the dark’when it comes to addressing tough issues. By making sure that we as a group, make sound and proper decisions and abide by the rules set forth by the Board of Governors.” Thank you Kate for your dedication and devotion to this event for over 30 years. The entire Tevis community is so very grateful. A s a member of the Board of Governors for over two decades, Kate Riordan confesses that Western States Trail Foundation has meant to her more than she can ever express. Photo taken at the 2014 Tevis Talk. Kate seated, Linda Tellington-Jones on the left and Shannon Weil, standing. (photograph by Bill Gore)