Home on the Ranch - Endurance riding keeps Grass Valley man right where he wants to be

Escaping the single file of commuting cars speeding through southwest Nevada County, he pulls out of line and to a stop. Throwing open the driver's side door, he hops out to open the gate - a ritual made necessary by the livestock on the opposite side.

Back behind the wheel again, he drives on through, before braking to tend the gate once more. Then, with a strong squeeze of the hand, a quick click of the latch and a drop of the heavy chain, Frank Smith locks it all out.

[More ...]

One day, 100 miles - Area riders saddle up for golden anniversary of epic endurance ride

by Brian Hamilton

Talk about your horsepower.

Two hundred and fifty people are expected hop into the saddle for this weekend's golden anniversary of the Tevis Cup, a 100-mile, one-day ride from Truckee to Auburn.

Many of those who will be at the start, won't be at the finish. In recent years, not even 50 percent of the field have reached the final destination in time to earn a coveted finisher's belt buckle.

[More ...]

Tevis Story: Endurance riding making comeback

Endurance riding making comeback

MONTAGUE - Yvonne Underwood discovered Endurance Riding 25 years ago through a friend.

If the idea of a sport that requires you to prepare for months in advance, building up yourself and your horses' strength and abilities steadily, involving lots of traveling, entrance fees and medical inspections with the final culmination being a physical token that says 'I did it' then Endurance Riding could very well be for you.

This sport began 50 years ago with a simple bet. In 1955 the attitude among horse enthusiasts was that modern horses were not as strong and resilient as the horses during the pony express days. A small group of men decided to test that idea and proposed a challenge to have a ride from through the Sierra Nevadas from just north of Squaw Valley, a parcel of land now named Robie Park, to Auburn, California, a 100 mile distance. The terrain includes steep hills, rocky surfaces, single tracks (narrow trails), creeks, a swinging suspension bridge and a crossing of the American River.

Six men began the challenge and five finished. This was the beginning of what is now known as the Tevis Cup ride.

[More ...]

Frazier trains for Lake Tahoe

Frazier trains for Lake Tahoe Endurance
By Michael Shinabery/Staff WriterJul 20, 2004, 04:36 am

JAMES CANYON ? Hoof prints atop tire tracks: Hindi Shahab?s intermingled with those of the ATV in the soft mountain dirt.While just feet away drivers sped unknowing along U.S. 82?s winding curves.In the rural James Canyon area of the Sacramento Mountains, 21st Century technology may tread the asphalt, but remnants of Otero County?s custom and culture remain on the forested trails. For the past two weeks the white Arabian stallion Hindi Shahab, carrying rider Richard Frazier, has trotted along the landscape. He?s training. The two have been a sight, but Frazier?s sights are set on a horizon farther than their eyes can see. Only a dream envisions it. On July 31 he and the Arabian are bound for Lake Tahoe, Calif. to vie for the coveted Tevis Cup, a prize Frazier described as endurance racing?s ultimate challenge. Their competition includes horse-and-rider teams from European and Arabian countries.
 
[More...]
 

http://www.endurance.net/international/newsletter/newsmessage124.htm

NEWS & MESSAGES

12/04

In this letter you'll find

Different Interpretations of Veterinary Inspections at CEI Rides

Depending on the CEI ride you visit, you can meet quite different carrying-out of veterinary inspections, i.e.



First Horse Inspection:



· Examination of heart rate, general condition and gait takes about 3 minutes per horse

· Examination of heart rate, general condition and gait takes about 9 minutes per horse including control of the shoes, palpation of the tendons and flexion of the limbs

· A horse with abnormal heart sounds is eliminated



In the case of irregularity of gaits:

· the horse is given a second chance and asked for a recheck as soon as all competitors have passed the first inspection

· the horse is given a second chance and asked for a recheck one hour before the start the next day

· the horse has to trot immediately out again under the observation of three veterinarians and there majority decision is final

[More ...]

Tevis: No Hands Bridge Ceremony

PRESS RELEASE, Auburn, California
July 8, 2004

An official dedication will take place Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at the Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge located at the North Fork of the American River near Auburn, California. The Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 11, 2004, by the United States Department of Interior. For more information, please call State Park Ranger Mike Lynch at 530.885.4527.

WEG: Kentucky Horse Park GOVERNOR FLETCHER ANNOUNCES US BID TO HOST 2010 WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES

LEXINGTON, KY - Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today that the Commonwealth of Kentucky, on behalf of the United States, will submit a formal bid to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to host the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG). These games are the most important high-performance equestrian competition in the world, and are held every four years in a country designated by the FEI, the international governing body for equestrian sport headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.



"I am very pleased to announce, along with representatives of the United States equestrian industry and the Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky's bid to host the 2010 World Equestrian Games," stated Governor Ernie Fletcher. "Our great Commonwealth is known around the world for our state's signature horse industry, and Kentucky would be honored to host this prestigious event right here in the Bluegrass."


Governor's Complete Announcement