The Tevis Cup: To Finish Is To Win

The Tevis Cup: To Finish Is To Win

The Tevis Cup, a 100-mile endurance ride through the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is the granddaddy of endurance riding. It remains one of the best attended 100-mile endurance rides in the world, only recently surpassed by those in the Middle East offering monetary prizes.Endurance riding is recognized as one of the seven international equestrian disciplines, and much of the early organization of the sport arose from the Tevis Cup itself. Endurance riding tests a horse and rider over a long distance of usually 50 or 100 miles within a time limit of 12 to 24 hours.For the past 46 years, 250 riders from all over the world gather annually to test their mettle and that of their horses at the Tevis Cup. The race is not only an equestrian competition--it's a slice of Americana in that it represents the pioneer spirit of the Old West.From the Back CoverIn California's Sierra Nevada mountains near Lake Tahoe, riders from all over the world have gathered for fifty years to test their own and their horses' stamina and courage in the Western States Trail Foundation's famous Tevis Cup 100 Miles In One Day Endurance Ride.The granddaddy of endurance riding, the Tevis Cup is widely considered throughout the equestrian world to be the ultimate test of a horse-and-rider team's fitness and determination. Entrants come from almost every state and many foreign countries, each with his or her own motivation for undertaking the event. Most hope simply to finish within the twenty-four hour time limit (only half of those who start realize their dream - in the motto of the event, "to finish is to win"). A few come in search of victory, because to win the coveted Tevis Cup is one of the highest accomplishments in all of equestrian sport.The Tevis Cup, the first complete history of this event, features a fascinating cast of characters, among whom are:Wendell Robie, the founder of the ride. His vision created a competitive trail ride across the Sierras and his enthusiasm and energy made the vision come true; Betty Veal and Dru Barner, whose organizational skills helped turn Robie's dream into a reality; Dr. Richard Barsaleau, the veterinarian who established procedures and standards that ensured the welfare of participating horses; Donna Fitzgerald and Witezarif, the only rider-and-horse team to win the Tevis Cup six times; other notable multiple winners including, Hal Hall, Marcia Smith, and Becky Hart; Gordy Ainsleigh, who finished the route three times: twice on horseback and once on foot - the latter giving rise to the demanding cross-country Western States Run; and Chris Knoch and Matthew Mackay-Smith's thrilling 1995 "Fred By A Head" duel of sportsmanship.In addition to chronicling the races themselves, author Marnye Langer presents a panoramic view of the history and geology of the region, as well as the fascinating lives of Lloyd Tevis, the nineteenth-century adventurer and entrepreneur for whom the competition is named, and James Ben Ali Haggin, sportsman, businessman, and Tevis's brother-in-law, who lent his name for the prize for the best conditioned horse.As Langer describes the event, the Tevis Cup is more than a ride; it is a journey. Every rider who completes the ride with a sound, fit horse in the allotted time joins a very special fraternity, an accomplishment that is both of the moment and remembered forever. In that spirit, The Tevis Cup will appeal to anyone who is enthralled by horses, history, and the challenge and beauty of the American outdoors.About the AuthorTK