Tevis Forum 2022

2 - TEVIS FORUM 2022 www.teviscup.org RiDe DiRecToR Chuck Stalley We are all preparing to gather under the riding moon o f July 16, 2022. This ride marks the 66th time brave souls such as yourselves will trek west along the Western States Trail to Auburn. The legends, legacy, and magnitude of the challenge weighs heavily on all of us. The Tevis is more than an endurance ride; it is living his- tory, which requires year-round planning, negotiating, budget- ing, contracting, maintenance, and participation of the best of the best for this ONE-day event. This effort is supported by the Western States Board of Governors, under the control of the Ride Committee, which consists of 17 dedicated, seasoned, and experiencedmembers. Among those committeemembers, 133 total Tevis buckles have been earned. As I continue in the footsteps of other great Tevis Ride Directors before me, I find that a large part of my retirement is dedicated to my role as Ride Director. The 2022 Ride will be my 11th year in this position, and the Ride has taught me a few things. Whatever the 16th of July holds for you, you will be forever changed by the experience. I often think about the task of preserving the Western States Trail and consider how challenging it is today. Respect wells up for the accomplishments of those who came before us, notably Tom Watson, Wendell Robie, Walter Tibbitts, Bill Pieper, Drucilla Barner, Larry Suddjan, Charles Gabri, Heather Davis, and all the members of the Board of Governors who have served over the years. In the early years of the WSTR great tenacity and grit were required. In these current times, we deal with lots of regulations and red tape. Care must be taken to be legally and diplomatically correct to navigate the various entities, partnerships, and relationships with landown- ers to maintain access to this historic trail. Each year, theWestern States Trail Ride undergoes chang- es due to the forces of nature, use permits (skillfully handled by Barbara White), and modifications set by the Ride Com- mittee under the guidance of the Board of Governors. Since we don’t know the extent of these conditions at the time this publication goes to print, it is mandatory that you attend the Pre-Ride Meeting on Friday, July 15th at Robie Park. During this meeting, we will cover any last-minute changes to the trail, cut-off times, P & R criteria, and other important information to assist you in navigating a successful ride to Auburn. If you are an experienced Tevis rider, you knowhow tough the canyons can be in the summer heat of the Sierra, and you’ll be prepared for it. Get ready for cold, heat, rocks, dust, altitude, and humidity with 18,000 feet of incline and 24,000 feet of de- cline from Robie Park to Auburn. This is why the Tevis is the toughest ride of them all. The most successful finishers, year after year, are the best prepared—both equine and rider. There is still time to get out there and get yourself and your equine partner in a little better physical condition. It just might make the difference between finishing and being pulled. All riders of the Tevis have met pre-qualification standards fromwhich we hope you have learned important skills for suc- cess in endurance riding. Attempting the Tevis is not a task for amateurs. The Tevis Ride can be terribly unforgiving of the uninformed or ill-prepared. Be assured that the members of the Board of Governors, Cup Committee, and Ride Com- mittee have d e d i c a t e d p r e c i o u s time, energy, and resourc- es toward the goal of imp r ov i ng the quality and services available for horse, rider, a n d c r ew each year, and 2022 is no exception. Head Veterinarian, Dr. Mike Peralez, leads a team of vet- erinarians who are committed to equine safety and will assist you in managing your mount’s well-being. Should you need to end your ride at some point along the way, horse transport, led by Greg King, will deploy trailering assistance to get you back to “civilization.” Sweep Riders of the Sierra will ride drag along the trail and assist at the “back” of the Ride. Sési Catalano and her Head Volunteers coordinate over 700 volunteers who report to critical locations and checkpoints and serve behind the scenes to see that you have the support you need to tackle this challenge. Radio Communications (led by Rick Littlefield) and Net Control (led by Mike Pickett) keep tabs on howmany riders are through checkpoints, deploy and direct assistance where needed all the way from Robie to Auburn. Greg and Tammy Kimler, owners and operators of Echo Valley Feed in Auburn, provide the feed and water troughs for the horses at vet checks all along the trail--as well as providing bales and bales of straw for Robie Park. Nicole Chappell Wertz and her team of trail section leaders have spent untold hours of time working on downed trees, clearing brush, and dealing with slides and obstacles on the trail, so that you have a clear run to the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. The Tevis office has been managed by Jean Hixon and LuAnne Holmsen so that we have a good database fromwhich to work as we check you in at Robie and track your progress through the Ride. This truly is a hardworking, dedicated group of individuals; please say thank you to each Tevis volunteer you see during your time with us at the Western States Trail Ride. –Ride, Really Ride, Chuck Stalley Presidents Message (continued from page 1) Hands Bridge. There truly is nothing like the Tevis, the challenge of a lifetime for some and a yearly addiction for others. Nothing can match the dedication of the people that make it happen. Hope to see you there, in the saddle, this summer.