One of the biggest equestrian events in the country is tomorrow in Northern CA. For 165 riders, The 58th Annual Tevis Cup, a 100 mile endurance ride on the trails between Robie Park North of Lake Tahoe and Auburn, CA begins at 5:15 AM. According to event spokesperson Phil Gardner, the ride follows the Western States Trail.
Click here to listen to Tevis Cup Representative
At some steep spots on the trial riders dismount and tail the horse.
Click here to listen to Tevis Cup Representative
The endurance ride is a challenge for both the horse and the rider.
Click here to listen to Tevis Cup Representative
The physical condition of the horse throughout the Tevis Cup is of utmost concern to event organizers.
Click here to listen to Tevis Cup Representative
The Western States Trail Foundation sponsors the Tevis Cup, but Gardner says the Foundation does more than just run the race. They spend upwards of 40,000 on trail maintenance and research on the effects of endurance riding on horses.
The first horses to complete the Tevis Cup are expected around 10:00 PM at the Placer County Fairgrounds in Auburn. For more information visit Tevis Cup.org.
jefferson
and people are protesting Elephants at the fair...this seems much more cruel to me...
Aj
There is nothing cruel about this event! Both horse and Rider train and condition for this event. It's a wonderful event and brings a bit of history to light too.
seahorse
This is not at all a cruel event. Especially in comparison to elephants at at the zoo. These horses are athletes they spend years in training. They are vet checked at several points on the trail. If the horse's heart rate does not return to normal in a given time they do not continue. They are checked for hydration, fatigue, leg stress amongst other things. If the horse fails one of these tests he and the rider are out. The horses are also drug tested. Which is more than I can say for most peak performing human athletes these days> Not to mention these horses are loved and given the best care on and off the trail day in and day out. Now do you really think an elephant be carted around the country in a box, only to be a novelty for human entertainment is not cruel in comparison? Held in captivity and not at all in its natural state of being day in and out. Elephants have not traveled the domestication path that horses have. Elephants are wild animals. These horses are not nor have their bloodlines been for decades.