Tevis Forum 2021

2 - TEVIS FORUM 2021 www.teviscup.org Tevis Cup Ride Director Chuck Stalley (continued on page 73) As I prepare to launch the Ride Director’s Message for the 2021 Forum, I am driven to think back on the year this world-famous event was cancelled and the entire world changed. I sincerely hope that we are all preparing to gather under the riding moon of July 24, 2021 and trek the Western States Trail to Auburn once again. In February of 2020, we were hearing tales of a virus which we all now know began a year-long COVID-19 Global Pandemic. In April 2020, the 65 th annual Tevis Ride was officially can- celled. We learned to socially distance, wear masks, stay home and avoid gatherings in an ef- fort to tamp down exposure. Many of us found solace in riding and training our horses in isolation as we mourned the loss of a “good” year of our horses’ careers, but we also appreciated that we could just be outside, as it was safer than other options. There were also other side effects of the pandemic. Trail work all but stopped as agencies pulled back on main- tenance projects in the interest of safety. As we move into 2021, our hopes are high that we will truly be welcoming you to the 65th running of the Western States Trail Ride. It is encouraging that a couple of vaccine options for COVID-19 are available, and we anticipate that the majority of Ameri- cans can be vaccinated in time to receive the necessary agency clearances to sanction this year’s ride. Planning for a successful Tevis Ride is always difficult, but this year we have even more unknowns than ever--food service, vet cards yes or no?, crowd size, permit processes, access to venues, awards banquet, crew access to riders and their mounts—te- nacious people with years of experience and know-how are working to make the Tevis happen, even though it may not look like it has in the past! I am proud to be associated with an endurance ride that does not just survive, but thrives, carrying the rich legacy of all those tough pioneers, explorers and adventurers who have gone before us. I feel that our current team of volun- teers, trail developers, veterinarians, riders and their mounts have demonstrated that we, too, are up to the challenges of modern life as we also survive and thrive! It is our plan to start the 2021 Tevis at Robie Equestrian Park in Truckee. As always, we are monitoring the Sierra snow conditions to see if we can use our high-country trail through Squaw Valley and the newly expanded Granite Chief Wilderness. At least one rider is riding for a 10 day/1000-mile buckle. Whether it is your first 100-mile buckle or any other along