2009 Tevis Cup Endurance Ride

 ARAB Club Member 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 15^th time riding the Tevis Cup and his 9^th 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 33^rd 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 & 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 horse׳s 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 6^th 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.

"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 started 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.

Above, L to R, Christoph, Dave and Tennessee

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.

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