And They’re Off, The Virtual Tevis Starts

Training Journal

If you’re riding a horse, you’ve already won.

 

Awareness of the outside world. On the other end of the technology scale, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is facing an epic budget shortfall. They have started a GoFundMe campaign, Save Space Camp.

[Show Tweets]
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Day one of 100 miles in 100 days, the 2020 Tevis Cup – Virtual Western States Trail.

!!Kermit Dance!!

While I am still excited, see above, I am coming to grips with reality. 100 miles is a long way, especially when done at a relaxed walk, in 1/3-mile sections, at 2-mile increments. This is going to soak up most of our riding time for a while.

Prep Work

This was 5 laps of your pasture. The magic of the Internet tells me that 23:24 min/mile = 2.58 mph. Screenshot from Map My Walk. After our test-of-concept ride at 3 laps, we have been adding a lap each week. Today will be the first day we do 6 laps, i.e. 2 miles. [The Tevis Sippy Cup]

In our three weeks of prep, Rodney did 34.75 laps of the pasture, or 11.6 miles. Milton did 28 ridden laps and 6 handwalk laps -> 9.3 miles ridden, 2 miles handwalked. I’m impressed with them. Pretty darn good for a pair of TB pasture puffs.

Milton is loving it. His people are together. No one is in show mode. Although, he would like to point out that he has to take at least 10% more steps than Captain Longlegs.

Rodney, not so much. He is starting magnificently in terms of being calm and relaxed. He rolls along on good looks and charm for the first three laps. Then, lap 4 comes as a shock to him each time. He has to expend energy. I think he finds trail riding beneath him. Not clear what he thinks his fancy self should be doing, but not this.

Virtual Tevis Blog Posts
Mine
[The Tevis Sippy Cup]

Others
Jorvik Equine Massage: The Tevis Cup comes to God’s Own Country

County Island: I’m Ridin’ in the WHAT Now?, be sure to click on the “thusly” link.

Stay safe. Stay sane,
Katherine Walcott