[misc.handicap] TEVIS CUP MESSAGE

Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (07/25/90)

Index Number: 9521

Hi Sheila,

No, the Tevis Cup Race (Ride) is not part of any disABLED sporting
association. It is probably the most famous horseback endurance
rides there is.

It is a one hundred mile, over all kinds of terrain edurance race
that travels the old pony express line from Nevada to California.

The winner takes the famous Tevis Cup, but just managing to finish
the ride earns you a very special belt buckle.

I do not know that any groups for handicapped riders have ever
participated in any way, but that is what I am trying to find out.
I used to have the contact address and information for it ages ago,
but no more.

It is possible that my stepmom or one of my sisters might know. It
is a very very tough ride even for able bodied riders, but I sure
as hell would like to do it and earn that belt buckle.

Of course, I would need assistance, but that is not the point the
way I see it. The point is to do it and earning the buckle because
even with help, that ride will be just as tough or tougher for me
than for the abled riders and I will figure I earned it!

Every once in awhile, I just get this urge that I need to do
something major or different and I seem to be entering one of those
phases now. But, this has been something I have always wanted to
do.

I will let you know if I find out anything!

Keepin' the faith!

.                          Vixen

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org

Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Stu Turk) (07/27/90)

Index Number: 9561

 > It is a one hundred mile, over all kinds of terrain edurance race
 > that travels the old pony express line from Nevada to California.
 >
 > [.....]
 > Of course, I would need assistance, but that is not the point the
 > way I see it. The point is to do it and earning the buckle because
 > even with help, that ride will be just as tough or tougher for me
   =
   I think you might need a lot of financial assistance too Vixen.  I'd 
assume that each participant would need to supply his/her own horses - 
and note that is horses, pural.  Remember the Pony Express riders rode 
horses in relays.  I don't remember how many times they changes to a 
fresh horse during the ride (if I ever knew) but I'd guess you'd need 
five or six horses anyway.  And since you'd need a horse for your 
assistant that would be ten or twelve.
   You sure you don't want to consider a bike race instead? <grin>

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Stu.Turk
Internet: Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org

Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (08/09/90)

Index Number: 9622

Hi Stu,

Well, yep, you are correct, there would be some expense incurred by
my desire to partcipate in the Tevis Cup ride.

However, no, you do not use multiple horses like the pony express
riders. This race is an endurance race/ride with one horse to a
rider. It is not a "speed race."

This is the reason that even just getting the Tevis belt buckle is
such a big deal, because both the horse (singular) and rider have
to complete the ride.

It requires that both the rider and horse are in ready shape and
horses bred for great endurance rather than the lighter speedier
breeds are used. For example, Arabians, Morgans, Morabs would be
typical of the type of horse you might expect to find in this
ride.

Of course there are rest periods, times and places you have to get
off the horse and walk and all kinds of challenges, but no this is
an endurance ride and either you and the horse make it or you
don't.

They have vets and inspectors that keep an eye on both horse and
rider to make sure that each is actually able to go on. This is
what makes even riding and finishing this event such a big deal and
why just a belt buckle is so meaningful.

The first horse and rider in, just happen to takee the Tevis Cup
and in that sense it is a race, but it is primarily endurance
ride.

The question is really where I would get a horse to ride, can I get
in shape, and making arrangements for assistance persons (Afterall,
I have to be realistic here too.)

Keepin' the faith!

.                        Vixen

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org