Horseback Riding in California
INTRODUCTION TO TEVIS CUP |
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At Friday’s veterinary check the air crackles with excitement and anticipation. Horses led to the exam area by anxious riders, scream for missing companions. Before dawn on Saturday, the” Iron Man Triathlon” of equestrian sports will see 250 horses and riders start a head long rush over a hundred mile course. The rugged trail winds like a serpent over 9,000 foot mountain peaks, dropping into deep, gorge like canyons with 120 degree heat in this continuous, 24 hour marathon. Equitours is pleased to offer a few clients the chance of having an “up close and personal” experience of one of the worlds most renowned and exciting horse races, with Donna Snyder-Smith, the coach of both World Endurance Champions and the 2000 Tevis winner.
I want to thank you for the expertise and patience of Donna Snyder-Smith during the 2009 Introduction to the Tevis Cup. I had more than my questions answered, and enjoyed the company of my hostess and the Texan who was my 'partner' in exploring the Tevis Cup.
- Vera Wallace July 2009
I would like to sincerely thank you for hosting the Tevis Tour and including me. It was a wonderful experience and very helpful. As I have been reading, learning and practicing endurance riding; I have picked up a lot of information, and some knowledge. You provided me with a lifetime of wisdom that only comes from a lifetime student of the horse. I am forever greatful and greatly appreciative of your wisdom.
I was able to finish THE ALL-AROUND HORSE AND RIDER at Lake Tahoe.
Once again I would like to sincerely thank you for what you did for me. I do greatly appreciate it.
- Roger July 2009
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Friday July 23: Meet at 11am at Sacramento Airport, Sacramento, California, or Auburn Fairgrounds later in the day. You will be picked up by your expert Tevis guide and travel by minivan to Auburn for lunch. Then travel to the start line at Truckee where you can view the start approval exams being conducted by the Tevis veterinary staff. You will join ride participants and their crews for the traditional evening meal under an open sky, while you listen to the words of welcome, wisdom and warning from event organizers and ride manager, to all who will pit their skills and spirit against the mountains the following day. Evening accommodations in Truckee. |
| Day 2: | Saturday, July 24: Rise early and have breakfast shortly after dawn to enable you to get a view of riders along the road into Squaw Valley shortly after race start. A short section of trail flanking the road here offers a great view of competitors and horses at this very early stage of the race. Then it’s down the mountain with a stop for lunch and discussion of race strategies, horse selection and care, and what vet checks are about, plus a little sight seeing in the historic town of Auburn, before you again catch up with riders and horses at a critical vet check located in the mining town of Forest Hill. It is here you will get a close up look at the race leaders and their horses after they have traveled over 69 miles, including 11,000 feet of descent and more than 8,000 feet of climb. The urge to speculate on the eventual winner becomes overwhelming as all eyes watch each horse and rider during the “trot out” in front of the veterinary judges panel before being allowed to continue on course.
Leaving Forest Hill, you will go back down the mountain to your accommodations in Auburn, where time at the pool or a cool shower will help combat the fatiguing heat of the day. A nap before dinner is in order as all will want to be alert when it is time to make your way to the finish line to experience first hand, watching this year’s winner complete this unbelievably grueling event. After watching the top 10 or 15 riders finish the ride and receive their final vet clearance at the Auburn Fair Grounds, your beds will be inviting. The finish usually is sometime during late night to early morning hours. |
| Day 3: | Sunday, July 25: Breakfast will be at the Auburn Fair Grounds which will be buzzing with the excitement of the upcoming “best condition” judging. Shortly the first ten horses to cross the finish line will be presented to the Tevis veterinary committee for examination in order to determine the horse who is considered to be the one most fit following the previous days trial. A couple hours for discussion, relaxing and seeing Old Town can easily be squeezed between the morning’s event and the awards ceremony which will be back at the Fair Grounds in the middle of the afternoon. Here the Tevis Cup will be presented to the first place finisher, while the much awaited decision about the winner of the Haggin Cup, given to the best condition horse, will also be announced. You will arrive back at Sacramento airport/original meeting point by early evening. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Sacramento, California |
| Length of Ride | 3 days, 2 nights |
| Group Size | Minimum-3 Maximum-4 |
| 2010 Dates | July 23 - 25 |
| 2010 Price | $925 |
| Single Supplement | TBA |
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