Tevis Forum 2015

The Tevis – ThroughMy Eyes Rose Ross, Australia I rode the Tevis in 2013 and was fortunate to earn a buckle. It was a hot ride. The coun- tryside was magnificent, until a week later, after I was back in Australia, when bushfires swept through the Sierra mountains. It was terrible. The devastation to both landscape and wildlife, and subsequent recovery, takes years. So I thank all the volunteers whomade the trail safe again. The fires were the reason I came back in 2014. Firstly, I will tell you about myself. Born and bred on “Glen Gillian” a property of 3000 acres in the Southern Barossa Valley, South Australia, where we run sheep, cattle and horses. The mustering is done mostly on horseback, due to very rough and steep ter- rain in places. 1997 was a great year for me and endurance, winning rides all over the place. I couldn’t have been happier until Feb- ruary 1998when I injuredmy back. I was told I might not ride again, whichwas devastating news, but 2 years later, I returned to riding. Then 16 years after that, in February 2014, I had a total knee replacement. The 2014 Tevis was not far away now. Lots of physio and many miles on the “go nowhere push bike”. I waited until 7-8 weeks later, before riding again. It was hard work, but I made it! I emailed the GETC, regarding a horse, one was available, so it was all go for Tevis 2014. I arrive inMoab 4 weeks before Tevis to acclimatize (as it was winter in Aus.). Chris- toph Schorf met me at the airport. We had a lot of catching up to do. I was particularly interested in howDapple (Stars-aflame) was, the mare I rode in 2013. An outstanding mare, one I would call a finely tuned Lam- borghini, and those who know her, would agree! She was injured, so unfortunately, was not going to start. RiaMcCarthy, a junior and dear friend, was already at GETC, training horses. She was a starter as well. Utah is a great training area, with the red sands of the desert, and the La Sal mountains in view. 8 horses made the 2 day journey to Robie Park with 7 riders. We arrived in Auburn on the Monday before, with 2 rigs, 8 horses and our crew, Dian Woodward, Kevin Walters, Brian Cross and Ria’s family. We then waited for the arrival of the other international riders. Christoph then matched them up with a suitable horse, and everyone was happy. We spent the next few days at Lake Tahoe with the Ford family. A really lovely spot. We loaded up the horses again, just 7 now. We headed to Robie Park for the start of the 2014 Tevis. Registration was first, next becoming a member of Calstar (the flying doctor), and then vetting. It was a wonderful thing to see all these amazing elite equine ath- letes in one place.The course talk on the Do’s andDon’ts, wasmost entertaining, thank you Chuck. It wasmade crystal clear that we were to ride safely, and to look after each other. I rode a gelding called Starlit Way, Christoph’s horse from 2013 that placed 4th at Tevis. It was time to go, so out the gate we went. We split into 2 groups and walked a mile up the track to the official start of the 2014 Tevis – wow, I hadmade it this far, now it was up to me to get Starlit around and vice versa. We were off. Ria, being a junior, had to ride with a sponsor, so I was it, until the field spread out a bit, then she buddied up with TEV I S I NTERNAT I ONAL R I DERS (continued on page 34) It’s big business to come to another country on an epic journey to ride a horse 100 miles, nut just any 100 miles but the world’s toughest 100 miles - The Tevis. The Israeli Team from left to right:
 Yam Dvir, Ann Gualtieri, Michel Bloch - Ann and Michel hosted the team. Emily Nothis - Michel’s niece visiting from France, Sharon Keinan - trainer from Israel, Daniel Joseph - friend living here and from Israel, Amit Dvir - Yam’s Brother, Ilan Dvir- Yam and Amit’s father another sponsor. Themist in the valley belowwas amazing as I headed up to the Squaw High camp. All you could hear was the sounds of hooves and the voice of an Aussie rider saying, “steady mate, you have a long way to go”. We then headed through Emmigrant Pass, where Starlit drank from the running spring. We managed the boggy sectionwith no problems. At Watsons Monument, I reflected on what the pioneers had done before, to make it possible for us to follow in their footsteps. Starlit was a trooper and took everything in his stride at Lyons Ridge and then Cougar Rock.Most people say this is theworst part of the track, but we had no worries, we made it, up over the top and down Elephants Trunk. It looked worse than it was, then it was on to Red Star. Starlit was in and out of that Gate and Go, his heart rate came down quickly as he had a snack, then off to Robinsons Flat. We had a great run into Robinsons Flat, where we had an hour hold, a blood test, and vet check. Starlit passed with flying colours, and the crew had a smorgas board of food waiting for him. He ate and drank for the full hour. This is where we stock up on vital electrolytes, that changes every 10 miles or so, as the temperature rises, and the miles TEVIS FORUM 2014 ★ 27