Re: [RC] [AERC-Members] Low Tevis entries - Annie George
From what I gather from
several riders that have been on the trail the last few years it has become
dangerous to the point of being redicilious. I know some die hard Tevis
riders will not go back becaus of that. They say the deck is stacked just
to far against the horses. To many hold ups, and places you have to
creep along, so you have to go to fast for that trail to finish. Not allot of
OT's but the lame and metabolic pulls tell that story. I don't think very many
preople at all are thinking of going fast to win or top 10. Thay just want to
finish. Not only the horses falling off the trail. Which
can happen anywhere. When I was on it in '99 [dnf] the part in
the wilderness was really bad. A wet year. Horses were permanently ruined in
that stretch. Nothing is worth that. I do understnad that it is a wilderness
area, but isnt there any provision at all for some minimum trail work even
if by a few hardies using their bare hands? Just chucking rocks in the
biggest holes would certinaly help. When a horse gets stuck and
cannot dislodge his leg, as I saw one horse do, it's like a bear in a
trap. Does anyone know what the actual rules of that
particular wilderness is on that topic. I know that out here in New Mexico
there is some minimal trail work in the wilderness areas. It is great they
have re-routed parts of the trail this time. The need to pull
so many horses would certinaly go down with just a little more
focus on horse safety in thoes few really bad spots. Higher
completion rate would certinaly draw riders. I know the economy has hurt ride
#'s this year, but I can't believe it is bad enough to effect
Tevis. I think the new qualifications to do the ride will
help the completion rate. I think it will help other things as well. But
I hope someone will tell me/us about the trail work in the wilderness.
Annie G.
Do you think that the low
entries in the Tevis have anything to do with the low completion rates in the
last 2 to 3 years. Many didn't finish because of a 15 to 30 minute gap. The
ride has been slower (more difficult than it was in the past?) I understand
that they made it a little easier this year. I can't see the economy at
least in this area as that great an influence on doing the Tevis.
I would agree with Howard that the
economy is at least partly responsible for the decreased numbers of the
Tevis. We have a group from Freeburg IL directly south of me that normally
takes a good number of riders from IL every year. The economics of having a
horse from the relatively flat MW acclimated to the terrain at Tevis is
staggering in itself, much less the expense to maintain 1 rider while there.
That IL group is not represented this
year IMHO at least partly due to the death of one of their beloved
horses last year. I'm sure that 1 death impacted many to reconsider the
value of that ride to their overall goals with their horse. I know those
people were very devastated by that horrible accident last
year.
As in everything we do with our charges,
we are responsible for their welfare at any point on the continuum of
life.
In His Hands,
Susan, Fly Bye & Dandy
"All
you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given
you." -Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings
(In Light of
Eternity)
-----Original
Message----- From: AERCMembersForum-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:AERCMembersForum-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Howard
Bramhall Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003 9:23 AM To:
AERCMembersForum Subject: Re: [AERC-Members] Low Tevis
entries
No one has mentioned the possibility that the low numbers at Tevis
might be a result of the economy. I've noticed that the number of
riders at some of our big rides in the Southeast this year has been
lower than normal. My guess is it's because of the recession we've
been in for over a year now. I'd put that one up there as the number
one reason why the numbers are low.
In response to: We won't really know until next year, but
the most likely reason for the Tevis shortfall this year, which
has not been a trend in past years, is that it is being held a
month or more earlier than usual.
************** Actually
Tevis in 2003 is only 8 days later than it was in 2002.
There were 216 starting in 2002 and only 152 starting this
year.
I would guess the factors contributing to the 30% drop in
attendance would include:
1. Pan Am Championship on
Sept 13 2. National Championship in NV in Oct 3. Min
requirements for Tevis on horse 4. Low completion rates in the
past 2 years - 40% 5. Horses going off the cliff in the last
Tevis 6. Some horses that might have done Tevis went to the NC
pre-ride last week instead.
