2009 Tevis Cup Endurance Ride
Dave Rabe Competes
Dave Rabe from Carson City, Nevada, and a member of the
Association of Ridgecrest Arabian Breeders (ARAB), a Region 2
Club, competed in this year׳s Tevis Cup Endurance Ride. This
was Dave׳s
15th
time riding the Tevis Cup and his 9th
completion. The ride was held on Saturday, August 1, with a
24-hour time allowed for recognized completion.
Dave rode the purebred Arabian Double Zell, 8-year-old chestnut
gelding, owned by Christoph Schork of Moab, Utah. Dave and Zell
came in 33rd place in a starting group of 170 horses.
Dave׳s starting time was 5:15 a.m., finish time was 3:21 a.m.
the next day (8/2) for a total accumulated ride time of 20:06 hours
plus 2+ hours of holds for the 100 miles.
Dave explains
"this was the best time yet over my 9-ride
history."
Dave rode with
Christoph and Tennessee Mahoney for 55 miles as Tennessee was
riding Christoph and Diane׳s other horse, Salty. Christoph,
being a well-known Endurance champion, set a very swift pace and
these riders gained a large lead over most of the other riders.
Dave and Christoph dismounted many times and ran for many miles
to conserve their horses׳ energy.
In the words of Dave,
"At Deadwood, 55 miles into the ride, Christoph pulsed down and took off without Tennessee and myself,
as my horse was pretty tired. I told Tennessee I was staying to
let my horse rest and eat for one-half hour. Tennessee went on to
finish in 6th place. Double Zell had never done a
100-mile ride before, but had won his last 22 50’s he started so
at the 55-mile point he thought he was finished.
L to
R, Christoph, Dave and Tennessee
"I
left Deadwood walking on foot for 6.5 miles to the Chicken Hawk
vet check. At this vet check I stayed for 45 minutes as Zell
was still pretty tired to let him eat, drink and rest. I left
Chicken Hawk vet. check on foot, walking to the Forest Hill vet.
check. Zell got an hour to eat, drink and rest here and when we
vetted out
Zell st
arted
to look fresher as we took off into the night. I ended up doing
about 25 miles of the ride on foot. I rode and walked by myself
from Deadwood to almost the Franciscos vet. check, about 30
miles"
Dave
and Double Zell on the trail.
Note the very rugged mountainous background.
Dave caught up
with 2 riders as he rode toward Francisco. They missed a turn
in the dark after Francisco and lost 20 to 30 minutes having to
turn back and find the turnoff after figuring out they were no
longer on the right trail. As they crossed the American River
and headed toward the quarry, Zell seemed to catch his second
wind. This 100-mile ride from the Lake Tahoe area to Auburn,
California, is one of the toughest endurance rides out there for
competition. Thank you, Dave, for sharing this great experience
with your Club (Association of Ridgecrest Arabian Breeders) and
Region 2.
Dave
and Double Zell crossing the finish line in Auburn, CA.
concluding 20:06 hours since starting this ride.
2009 Tevis
Cup Endurance ride, Dave Rabe
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