North American endurance riders are taking on the United States’ most competitive endurance race this weekend. The Western States Trail Ride, more commonly known as the Tevis Cup, is a 100-mile race in California that has been run since 1955. The ride was canceled in 2008 due to wildfires.
Of the top ten finishers, the horse judged to be in best physical condition at the end of the race is awarded the Haggin Cup. Junior riders who successfully complete the ride are awarded the Josephine Stedem Scripps Foundation Cup.
This year, approximately 172 horse and rider teams have signed up to compete. The majority of the horses entered are Arabians and Arab-crosses. However, according to the Cup’s official website, at least a dozen breeds are participating in the event, including mules.
Though the majority of competitors are American, participating riders represent countries as far away as Australia and Japan. Men and women compete together, and six junior riders have signed up to ride this year as well.
Follow live coverage of this year’s Tevis Cup on August 1st with the official webcast at www.teviscup.org/webcast/main.html
Cool!-
I wonder how many riders will actually finish the race? Haha, I’m totally rooting for the mules!
At the place I ride at, the barn owners have competed in Endurance races, but I doubt they’ve ever gone on any rides this long.
I wonder how old the junior riders are, and how old the youngest competitor ever was?
if i had a normal trail horse, i think it would b a blast 2 do
I would love to do this. I wonder if you can do it with a mini horse.