August Meeting

Tuesday 17th, 7 pm (6 pm if you want to eat ahead of the meeting) 
at Baker's Square, Auburn

Our guest speaker this month is Cindy Halverson, CMT, ECS. 

Cindy specializes in Equine Craniosacral energy touch and Bowen Techniques. Her therapies promote healing of injuries and help to reduce trauma to stressed muscles. Bowen therapy is a holistic approach that balances and integrates the body’s systems. Let’s have a good showing of club members for this guest. 

Club Dues:

• Dues for 2004:  Single = $15   Family = $25
• I will collect at the meeting, or they can be mailed to the club PO box: 
  P.O. Box 3412
  Auburn, CA 95604.  
• The email and s-mail lists were purged of "non-paying members" at the beginning of April, so if people want to receive anything, they must pay the dues. We don't charge for back dues - so there is no penalty for missing past years.

Tevis 2004 Wrap-up

Club Member Photos From Tevis:

Michael Raposelli

• http://www.photo.lynnesite.com/gallery/183200/1/7040105
• http://www.photo.lynnesite.com/gallery/183200/1/7040102
• http://www.photo.lynnesite.com/gallery/183200/1/7040103
• http://www.typef.com/tevis/robinson/index.htm
  Photo #: P1010054.jpg
• http://www.typef.com/tevis/foresthill/index.htm
  Photo #: P1010006.jpg
• http://homepage.mac.com/tedwilson/Tevis/index.htm 
  (use "tevis01" as a password)
  Photo #: CF0A0153.jpg

Kristy and Amber:

Greg Kimler:

• http://www.typef.com/tevis/robinson/index.htm
  Photo #: P1010078.jpg
• http://homepage.mac.com/tedwilson/Tevis/index.htm 
  (use "tevis01" as a password)
  Photo #: CF0A0176.jpg

Vicki Testa: 

• http://www.typef.com/tevis/robie/index.htm
  Photo #: P1010033.jpg
• http://www.typef.com/tevis/robinson/index.htm
  Photo #: P1010057.jpg
• http://homepage.mac.com/tedwilson/Tevis/index.htm 
  (use "tevis01" as a password)
  Photo #: CF0A0156.jpg

Chuck Gabri (and Gene Myers)

• http://homepage.mac.com/tedwilson/Tevis/index.htm 
  (use "tevis01" as a password)
  Photo #: CF0A0206.jpg
  Photo #: CF0A0207.jpg

Lower Quarry Vet Check
A Report from the Lower Quarry, 5:15 a.m. at the Overlook, and Julie Suhr’s “Completion”
Mary Abbott

This year I volunteered to do P & R’s at GCER’s Lower Quarry Vet Check—mile 94 of the Tevis. I signed up on short notice, after finally coming to grips with the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to ride it this year—the 50th Anniversary. But volunteering at the Lower Quarry was a great experience! And I plan to do it again anytime I am not riding the ride. Working there, one gets the opportunity to see every horse that completes the Tevis “up close and personal.” This vet check was very quiet and well organized. (Kudos to those in charge of this station—GCER members Greg and Sue Pellerin! I wish I had a complete list of all the volunteers.) As a GCER member, all you have to do is show up at about 8 p.m. with your stethoscope (and a lighted watch!) in hand (or none—you can move hay, or hold and feed horses while their riders run to use the “facilities”), and plan on staying until at least 4:30 a.m. At first, it is kind of slow… but once the horses start coming in, the time goes FAST! Okay… well, here’s my account of the evening, which focuses on the horses and riders, rather than the tasks of the stop.

The first horse in, CV Eli, ridden by Jeremy Reynolds of Morgan Hill, was the one that tied for first, then got the Haggin Cup. Jeremy was in first place when he showed up and was surprised to learn that he was in first, because when he left Francisco’s a United Arab Emigrates rider had been 30 minutes ahead of him. That’s when we first suspected that that rider had made a wrong turn (unfortunately, there were no glow sticks on our side of Poverty Bar). He showed up a little later, his horse looking a bit more worn than the others, because of having done an extra 45 minutes or so of trail. Eventually, he made it to the Overlook in fourth place. (Notice how I avoided having to spell out his mile-long name! Sorry, “Ali” !)

You would think that when riders came in and learned they were in the Top 10, or maybe even already knew that, that they would be in a rush to get through our vet check. But they weren’t. I was impressed by how so many of them took extra time to take care of their horses. Jeremy, for example, let other riders catch up as he took off his horse’s saddle and sponged him down, all the while encouraging him to eat mash and hay. (Uuhmmm… Sorry, Jeremy. Folks like me, who were new to this stop, were kind of standing around with our mouths open trying to figure out what to do, where we could help, etc. That’s what you get for being first! We weren’t warmed up yet!) He was very concerned about his horse. In fact, all the top riders appeared to be. And all their horses looked great! Much better in fact, than many of the horses that came in a lot later in the evening, having taken the ride at a slower pace. I also noted that all of their horses appeared to me (I’m short, by the way) to be humongous. I haven’t analyzed the stats, but I think they were all over 15.2 hands, had size 3 feet, and 10” cannon bones!. These were truly superb athletes! (My horse, 14.2 hand, size 1 front, and 0 back feet Swede, and I finished twice right in the middle of the pack at about 3:30 a.m.)

There was one person I had really hoped to see all night at the Lower Quarry—and that was 80-year old Julie Suhr. With 22 Tevis completions and three Haggin Cups, and to still be out there, well, to me she is a true inspiration. Unfortunately, she came in during the 3 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. rush to make cut-off, and I didn’t see her. Well, except from the distance as she left going up the trail into the dark. Darn! Another volunteer who had practically forced her to eat crackers and drink Gatorade, told me that she had been feeling quite ill, and was losing her equilibrium in the dark. (A fate common to many riders.) The cut off time for our stop was 4:15 a.m. The last folks through were a couple from Colorado—spread apart by about 10 minutes. Boy, I was hoping they would make it to the Overlook on time! With things pretty much picked up, I left the Lower Quarry at about 4:45 a.m. hoping to catch Julie and the folks from Colorado coming into the Overlook.

It was about 5 a.m. when I arrived at the Overlook. Thought I might have missed Julie’s arrival. But shortly thereafter, Loreley Stewart, who had been riding with Julie trotted up to the finish on her horse. She shouted out the Julie had stopped at Robie Point, one and one-half miles back, was okay, but could not go any further. Julie’s daughter, Barbara White, who has even more Tevis completions than her mother (but stopped at Robinson this year) and Julie’s husband, went to get her. What a disappointment! Or at least, so I thought at the time. I continued to be surprised at the riders coming in, now, after 5 a.m., whom I had P & R’d way back at the Lower Quarry. I began to wonder if the couple from Colorado was going to make it…

At about 5:13 a.m., those still waiting for family and friends to come in started to become very dismayed. A few of us shouted out into the night—Can you hear us?!! Hurry!! Trot!! GALLOP!!! IT’S TIME!!! The cutoff time, 5:15 a.m., came—(Phew! Hold your breath!)--and went. There were just a few folks left at the Overlook. I swear, if someone came in at 5:16 or 5:17 or even 5:20, we all would’ve sworn that they had made it—honest to God! But no one showed up. I felt sad. Julie hadn’t made it, and neither the folks from Colorado… Finally, at about 5:35 a.m., I left for home. None of those still out there had shown up.

Well, I guess everyone made it, eventually, and was accounted for, or we would’ve heard about it… And I got to thinking… Do you know the Tevis used to end at Robie Point? That was where Wendell Robie, founder of the Western States 100 mile, One Day Trail Ride, 50 years ago, lived. Wasn’t it fitting that Julie Suhr, an icon of the sport, and contemporary of Wendell’s, stopped there? It was almost as if Wendell were saying, “Hey folks, remember me! Stop here Julie!” And, by the way, if it weren’t for the extra miles they’ve added to the Tevis in recent years (to make is a “true 100,” ugh! Personally, I think all the ups and downs of the canyons should account for something!) she would’ve made it. So to me, at 80 years old, Julie was a true “completer.” And thank goodness, (her daughter, Barbara, has told me via email) Julie is fine. She’s even considering another attempt.

So that’s my account of the 50th Tevis. Our newsletter editor, Lucy, is probably sorry she ever asked me for a report! I could write so much more… The Tevis never ceases to amaze me. I first heard of it 30 years ago as a teenager in Illinois. I thought, boy, that would be great to do—but it is all the way in California! And now, here I am. I completed—or I should say, Swede completed—my first Tevis when I was 40, five years ago. I would love to be out there at 80, like Julie. And I’d be proud. The Tevis, mostly, has a very good history. This year added to it. It is my understanding, that those in the front, Jeremy Reynolds and Becky Spencer (of Auburn), decided to do what was best for their horses in the last few miles—they chose NOT to race! Instead, they held hands as they crossed the finished line to ensure a “tie,” and their horses’ health. This is the bond the 100-mile Tevis can create. I don’t think there’s nothing like it, anywhere else in the world—and I am glad to play some small part in it, whether as a volunteer or a rider. 

Mary Abbott

Nathan’s Pride - the Lost Tevis Horse
Lana Wright

Gary Hall kindly forwarded this account from Lana Wright, the rider of the horse, Nathan's Pride, who unfortunately fell in the Granite Chief Wilderness and was lost for a few days.

Gary writes: “I was the coordinator, gopher, lackey, priest, confidante, liaison, etc etc!”

The accident happened approximately 8:30 am at about 1 mile after passing Watson’s Monument at Immigrant Pass (traveling west) in the Granite Chief Wilderness. Lynn Seeley has a GPS mapping of the exact location where some of my equipment was found.

Nathan was stepping up onto a smooth face rock ledge when he slipped and lost his footing. He went down on his knees and sat down, with his left hind foot slipping off a three foot ledge. Gravity brought him over backwards and he fell down the hill on top of me and I was left unconscious. Nathan got up and scrambled downwards through the undergrowth in the direction of Immigrant Pass.

Possible causes of the accident: excitement or just slipping. One or two other riders reported falling at the same spot. (Karlon Oliver's horse, Annisah, also slipped at this location I believe, possibly injuring herself and causing the later pull at Foresthill - Ed).

I was traveling with my friend Lisa Conner who got off the horse she was riding to help me. She walked with me for awhile until I could go no further and I got on her horse and rode the remainder of the way to help at the next station. Lisa gave me a pain pill and I felt some relief in about twenty minutes. I think I rode about six or seven miles.

Two very nice drag riders, a man and a woman (sorry do not know names) with radios came upon us. The man got off and walked with Lisa and they both kept telling me to stay awake.

Several riders passed us, but I felt the majority had gone by when we started up the trail. It was getting close to noon when we arrived at Lyon Ridge, where I was sat in a chair while I was attended to by a medically knowledgeable volunteer who took my vital signs and put me in a neck collar as general procedure. I was put on a back board and driven by truck to a location where a helicopter could land to transport me to Sutter Roseville Medical Center Hospital in Roseville. An IV was started when the helicopter arrived, before I was transported.

At the medical center I had x-rays, blood work, urine test and cat scan. It was determined that I had two fractured ribs on the right side, pain in the buttocks area right side and no concussion. I was discharged the same day with a prescription for hydrocodone/APAP for pain and a spirometer. The attending physician was Dr. R. Royer, MD.

I understood that because this was a huge event with 245 riders and so early into the ride, the ride management was afraid to sacrifice rescue people to start an immediate search for Nathan - at the risk of compromising the rescue abilities for possible more serious human emergencies that might arise during the remainder of the ride - and that the responsibility of finding my horse was mine.

On Sunday Alex North, who was a part of my crew and has ridden the Tevis, arranged to borrow a horse and rode out with two friends (the Larkins?) to search for Nathan. They did find the spot where the accident happened and found my flashlight and took photographs of the area.

On Sunday, Don Bowen introduced me to Gary Hall who offered to do what he could to arrange a search.

On Tuesday, Lynn talked to Jim Larimer and friends (Stuart Porter?) who actually found Nathan and gave them the location to search. On foot the searchers spotted Nathan¹s yellow quarter sheet against the rocks. He was still wearing his saddle, bridle and quarter sheet. He had apparently gotten down on a series of ledges to a ledge that he could not figure out how to get off of. It took approximately two hours for the rescuers to get him down off the ledge. 

Two of my crew members, Ashley Pakenham and Andrea Griffith hiked up the trail to help in the search, but the rescue had been made prior to their arrival. 

Dr. Robin Kelly left after Ashley and Andrea, but got tothe successful search party ahead of them and took charge of Nathan. Robin assessed the horse to be in fairly good condition, pulse good, mucous membranes good, slightly dehydrated. He drank several times as he was being walked off the mountain. He had several cuts, but none that were serious, and he was not lame. He was enthusiastic as he walked over a hill and began to jig. 

When Nathan arrived at Squaw Valley Stable two to three miles from where he was found (1/2 to 3/4 mile from the fall), he was starting to hydrate himself so was not put on an IV. Robin was very attentive. The urine sample taken the following day was excellent. He was very happy to see his stable mate! 

There were so many wonderful people who offered sympathy and advice, who tried to help and most whose names I do not know. I hope there is a way to let them know how truly grateful I am to the organization and to all of the known and unknown volunteers. 

Nathan was very happy to arrive at home in Maryland early Sunday morning, August 8! He has his shoes off and is kicking up his heels with his buddy in the flat country.

Lost and Found

I was given jackets at the Bath Road Vet Check on Tevis that Gold Country riders apparently gave to the Pryors at Lyon's Ridge? I will be bringing them to the meeting on Tuesday night. Please come and claim these, otherwise they will be going to Goodwill as I am moving and am not packing anything extra. Thank you,

Karin Occhialini

State of the Trails

Canyon Creek, Greenwood

Riding out last night, we were dismayed to discover that yet again, the trail down to Canyon Creek from Spanish Dry Diggins Road has been closed off by gate by a property owner. Does anyone know if this is a legal closure? Please let me know. Lucy

Cronin Ranch, Pilot Hill, Update

The American River Conservancy (ARC) will close escrow for the Cronin Ranch Acquisition on or about August 25, 2004. They are now approximately $350,000 shy of the asking price and will be taking out a bridge loan to cover that gap. 

The US Bureau of Land Management is directing river access fees currently collected from the rafting outfitters to cover the loan costs, including interest. This means that 100% of your donation will be applied to the American River Trail Campaign. 

This campaign is not over until the trail is opened. ARC are still soliciting funds to building the trail and purchase other lands that will enhance the trail. Thank you for your support. They hope to see you on the trail by fall 2005.

To help out with a donation, please visit ARC's web site at http://www.arconservancy.org/trail/trail2_2.shtml

Adverts

Horse Found

Bay gelding found 7/25 on Sliger Mine Road, Greenwood, wearing a halter and lead rope. Please contact Ann Blankenship if you know where he might have come from (he's currently residing in their paddock, munching large quantities of hay).

Saddle Needed

Horses For Healing (www.horsesforhealing.org) are in desperate need of a decent english saddle. If you would like to donate a saddle, your donation is tax-deductible.

Horses For Healing is a California non-profit charitable organization in Meadow Vista dedicated to improving the physical, mental, and spiritual well being of disabled individuals, through their involvement with horses.

Please contact them at:

Upcoming Dates