Well, it’s that time of year again.  Last night the day-off-of full moon shaded an amazing California poppy rose large over the hills not long after dark.  Horse trailers and large motor homes are more prominent on the roads of Auburn.  I checked the schedule and sure enough, this weekend marks the 50th annual Tevis Cup, one of the most prestigious long-distance horse races in the country.  While most riders are Californians, riders come from far and abroad to participate.  This year there are riders from Australia, Austria, French Polynesia, Japan, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates.  I know or have friends that know entrants riders between the ages of 14 and 80.  Some of the difficulties these hardy folks will be facing on Saturday (and into early Sunday morning):

• A predominantly single-track trail accessible to vehicles in only about a dozen places.  If it’s any consolation, Medevac insurance is available.
• Elevations that range from 8700 feet to 700 feet.
• Approx 19,000 feet of uphill (elevation gain).  Even more downhill, which can be even harder on the horse.
• Temperatures can range from 40F to 120F during the 24 hours of the event.
• 250 entrants are accepted.  Imagine up to 250 high-strung Arabs bolting off the starting line!
• Dust is a major vision inhibitor, though rumor has it that after about 25 miles the horses spread out enough to start to see.
• 15 vets man 10 checkpoints.  Horse’s pulse not dropping as fast as it should?  You’re pulled!
• Most riders finish the race well after dark (hence the importance of scheduling during a full moon.)
• You only are judged to have completed the race if your horse is in "fit to continue" shape at the finish line.
• On average over the 50 years the race has been going, only 54% of entrants finish cleanly (within the 24 hour window, without ruining the horse).
• If you complete all these obstacles you win $1 million dollars.  Err, well actually you win a belt buckle, which is definitely rarer than the million, and probably more coveted.

One of the most coveted trophies (and certainly the most talked about) is the Haggin Cup, awarded to the top-10 finishing horse in the best shape after their experience.  Some of these horses cross the finish line and look like they’re raring to do it again the next day!  I’ll probably check in on the webcast during the day, maybe even stop by the finish line tomorrow night to see a few of the early finishers.

Good luck to all the riders!  And if your horse just poops out partway through, you can try it again on foot in the Western States 100, which is essentially the same race, sans horse.