History of the Tevis Cup

In the morning hours before the light begins to streak the sky, endurance riders from all over the world will converge in Placer County, California. Their mounts are some of the most well conditioned athletes in the equine world! As their fiery steeds move forward, the months of conditioning and the many miles they have covered in order to train for this prestigious event will finally give rise to a superstar.

The Tevis Cup is the fashionable name for an endurance ride that is considered to be the most grueling ride in the endurance world. It is actually called The Western States Trail Ride and is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference or AERC.

It began when Wendell Robie, from Auburn California, and some friends rode a rugged 100 mile trail from Lake Tahoe to Auburn in a 24 hour period. He did all of this to win a bet and to prove that modern day horses were as tough as those that were used long ago for the Pony Express. It was a task that most thought impossible. Consequently, it has become a popular annual event since 1955.

The highly sought after trophy, the Tevis Cup, is won by the person who completes the ride the fastest, and whose horse is still in sound condition and “fit to continue.” This prestigious award is named after Lloyd Tevis (1824-1899), whose family donates the gleaming silver trophy every year. The first recipient was Nick Mansfied, who rode a Thoroughbred cross named Buffalo Bill to the win.

The individual horse and rider team create a tremendous bond of trust because of the months of training prior to the event, and this ride is the test of that bond. Mountainous trails that ascend and descend from daunting canyons and alpine peaks to rock strewn narrow passages, and ledges that drop straight off of the edge of cliffs are only a few of the obstacles that test the deep commitment that exists between these partners. Triple digit numbers, rivers, and the oh so scary bridges that most horses won’t go near, are just a few more of trials that greet the Tevis Cup entrants.

All riders who complete the ride, and whose mounts are still “fit to continue,” within a 24 hour period, acquire an honorary silver completion belt buckle. After the first 10 horses cross the finish line, the rider whose horse is in the best physical condition, is awarded The Haggin Cup. The trophy is named after James Ben Ali Haggin (1821-1914), and was first won in 1964 by Paige Harper who rode his Arab gelding Keno in the race.

RevitaVet would like to congratulate all of the horses and riders who have worked so hard and have entered this year’s event. We will see you there! Come by our booth for free infrared therapy for sore horses and sore riders!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyvzHjKBWvA