The Strides That Bind - Ride and Tie Association

THOM VOLLENWEIDERArabian horses are prevalent in Ride and Tiecompetition, which tests the physical ability of twopeople and a horse traversing the landscape undersaddle and on foot, while building comradeship.Editor’s note: The following is a personal account of therecent World Ride and Tie Championship. AHA’s ProductMarketing Manager Keri Stewart reflects on her experiencesat this unique sport. These types of competitions arerelatively unknown but cater to mostly Arabian horses atevents held in California, Maryland, New Mexico, NewYork, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah,Virginia and Washington.Ride and Tie, which consists of three team members—two people and one horse—who ride across a 20- to 100-mile course by alternating riding and running, has beenaround since the early 1970s. The association, itself,began in 1988 to provide stewardship for the sport of Rideand Tie. The sport combines trail running, enduranceriding and strategy.38 Arabian Horse Magazine • August/September 2006By Keri StewartThe last thing you want to hear when you arrive at yourfirst Ride and Tie event—especially if you’re representingthe Arabian Horse Association—is someone telling you,“Wow, you look lost.”Ironically, that’s exactly what happened to me a few weeksago when I arrived at Santa Ysabel Ranch for the 36thAnnual World Ride & Tie Championship. Elaine Ruprecht’scomment, intended as humor—but said with a straight face—made my heart sink. Here I am trying to make a great firstimpression, to blend with the crowd, and I’m already stickingout like a sore thumb.Why, you ask? For starters, I rolled over the cattle guard intocamp driving a brand new white Range Rover—somewhere inthe neighborhood of a $100,000 vehicle. I’d begged the salesagent for something else—a used truck maybe? Anything lessconspicuous?—but the high-roller sport utility vehicle was allthe rental car company had left.Photo: The more experienced Ride and Tie team members generally start at the frontof the pack riding their eager horses, with runners following a safe distance behind.

KERI STEWARTWith Reba tacked up and ready for the day’s event, Jennifer Mansoor attaches herteam’s bib number to her partner Amanda Wood.The clerk said it was the first time someone had ever complainedabout driving a Range Rover, especially when it wasthe same price as a mid-sized car.After all was said and done, though, I threw my campinggear in the SUV and set off, glancing in the rearview mirroras San Diego, Calif., disappeared behind me.When Elaine finally stopped laughing, another bright-eyed,red-head had walked up. It was Carol, who I had spoken withcountless times when planning my trip. I slid off the leatherseats, and she gave me a big welcome hug. I stepped back,looking at both their faces, and realized they were sisters.The Ruprechts are a third generation Ride and Tie family.Within a few minutes, I was introduced to Ted, their fatherand 30-plus-year veteran of the sport, as well as Tom, Carol’shusband, and Jim, Elaine’s husband.Then, there was Sarah, Elaine’s daughter. She was a tall,lanky 13-year-old, with beautiful blond locks, and a smile amile wide. She immediately took me in, grinned from ear toear, and said, “Come on. You can meet the rest of the family.”We walked around the horse trailer, and there was the restof the clan, including their Arabian horse Olympian, andtheir Half-Arabian Magic Sirocco; and MCA Kamanche, anArabian, owned by Melanie Weir.The Ruprechts, along with every other competitor, campwith their horses. They actually stay right with them, withthe horses just 10 feet from the tent door.The sun was starting to set, so Sarah helped me set up mytent. I crawled into my sleeping bag and listened to thesounds outside, thinking ‘this is what the Bedouins did.’ Afew steps away from my bag was Magic Sirocco, calmly grazingwith his equine brothers in the darkness, completely contentand surrounded by his family.I had anticipated this moment the entire day, waiting forthat familiar feeling of resting my head on a bed of down,while taking in a long, deep breath of the night air, and lookingup at the sea of stars. The rustling of hay, the soft steps ofthe horses, and the quiet rhythm of their chewing—they werethe sweetest sounds I have ever heard.At 7:20 the next morning, Jim rolled out of his tent. Ilooked out and noticed he was already dressed to run—orride. In the sport of Ride and Tie, your running gear is ridinggear, and vice versa.In this sport, your team consists of two runners and a horse.Two runners and a rider come down the homestretch of loop 1, still smiling, with20 miles to go.It is a relay endurance race, where you and your partnerstrategically decide how long each person will ride. Then, youdismount, tie your horse and run again. Each team is requiredto do at least six changes during a race, with a mandatoryexchange at each vet check. Teams may tie as many times asthey desire anywhere along the trail as long as the ties do notobstruct the trail or are not made in designated “No Tie”areas. The real strategy lies in quickly locating the best placesto tie your horse safely, and minimizing the time your horse iswithout a rider.Not every team, of course, has two strong runners, as wellas two strong riders. And you don’t even have to own a horseto compete. You don’t have to run marathons. What you doneed is a good sense of humor, a good riding base and ahealthy respect for your teammates. A well-conditioned,smart, endurance-trained horse is paramount. The sport isdemanding, but a blast for the horses. Their challenge is torun hard and fast for a short distance, have a rider dismount,tie them in a safe place, and be patient enough for anotherrider to catch up and mount. In addition to being well-conditioned,Ride and Tie horses are intelligent and have the abilityto anticipate their next move. This is precisely why mostTHOM VOLLENWEIDERArabian Horse Magazine • August/September 2006 39

Competing in 98-degree heat, vet checks are an essential and required stopduring the 14- and 30-mile courses.Ride and Tie teams compete on Arabians.The Ruprecht teams, along with other volunteers, andRufus Schneider, the race director, were hard at work most ofthe day. Trails had to be marked, water stations set, horsestended to and teams registered. Competitors were doing a lotof the prep work, which was a plus. The camaraderie wasbuilding right before my eyes.It took one day of roaming the camp and introducingmyself, and I was instantly branded as part of the Ride and Tietribe. Don Betts, president of the Ride and Tie Association,welcomed me with a warm smile, as did everyone else. I waseven asked if I was going to race with them. That, in itself,was a perfect example of how the Ride and Tie communitywelcomes newcomers.As the hot day was ending, I noticed the beautiful effects ofthe sun slipping behind the vistas. The east hills transitionedfrom musty yellow to cool shades of blue and pink, dancingoff the boulders in the distance. The main dirt road rollinginto camp turned into a social stroll for owners and their Arabians,stopping to talk and greet each other.At this juncture, I met Ben Volk. Curious to know how hebecame involved with Ride and Tie, I struck up a conversation.Ben is a civil engineer from Pasco, Wash. He is an accomplishedrunner, and his wife and two daughters are crazy abouthorses. After reading an article about Ride and Tie, Benthought it would be the perfect sport to satisfy his runninghobby, and also an opportunity to get involved with his wifeand daughter’s love of horses. He contacted Don Betts ofSequim, Wash., in early May of this year, learned about thesport, and started riding lessons with his daughter, Libby.With eight lessons under his belt, and a couple of trail rides,Ben drove to the Mount Adams Ride and Tie in Trout Lake,Wash., to watch his first race. Ten minutes before the start of therace, Don, being the mentor that he is, convinced Ben to ride.He loaned his horse, and his partner, to Ben. Ben and his borrowedpartner and horse won the Mount Adams race that day.Ben and Lisa Preston, who was also introduced to the sportby Don Betts, are now meeting here for the first time. Theyare competing as a team with MI Royal Silk, Don’s 18-yearoldArabian.When I woke up Friday morning, the song “Mr. Bojangles” wasstill in my head from the previous night’s guitar and banjo concert.THOM VOLLENWEIDERAs I crawled out of my grasshopper-covered tent, severalhorses were already on their morning walk. I could see theirsilhouettes in the morning sun. I wanted to meet them all.Each one had its own personality, a beautifully-dished face,and knew exactly what it was doing—the day before race day.The horses walked evenly along with their Ride and Tie partners,scouted the trail, drank a lot of water and slept in the sun.The pre-race meeting was held at 6 p.m. Don tried to quietthe chatter as old and new friends gathered under the tent.He gave a quick welcome and turned the meeting over to thelead veterinarian, Rob Lydon. As soon as he began to speak,the crowd was silent. It was now time to talk about the horses.It was going to be an extremely hot day. He and his team hadjust completed the vet check-ins, and after a quick consultation,they made the wise decision of extending the race vetchecks to three, instead of two.“It’s going to be very hot tomorrow,” Rob said. “If you pushyourselves too hard, it sucks that you’re in trouble, but I amhere to take care of the horses.” Everyone nodded and chuckledin agreement. I had already been told that the horsesalways come first, but witnessing it first hand was a true testamentto this sport and the people who participate.I checked in on the Ruprechts before I trotted off to meetmore competitors. Sarah was sitting with her dad going overthe game plan for Saturday. Here was a teenage girl, who happilychose to spend her Fourth of July weekend not with herfriends at home, but with her parents, her aunt and uncle, andher grandfather, taking care of the horses, camping and markingthe trail. She was also the most important team member—leadcrew member for three Ride and Tie teams.One of the first competitors I saw was Amanda, and Iinstantly knew who she was. She and her three friends hadalready set up camp and were about to break out the food.“Are you six-mile Amanda?” I asked. Everyone laughed.“Yep, that’s me,” she said. Amanda Wood of San JuanCapistrano, Calif., and her race partner, Jennifer Mansoor ofSan Clemente, Calif., each have three children at home.Amanda had read about Ride and Tie, and called CarolRuprecht out of curiosity about the sport. She grew up ridingThoroughbreds and competing in hunter/jumper competitions.She was now a proud owner of an Arabian.What is Ride and Tie?• Your team consists of two people and a horse• One teammate rides while the other runs• At various locations on the course, one rider dismounts,ties the horse, runs again; and the next rider unties thehorse, mounts and rides again• The strategy of the race is up to each team• You must exchange riders at established vet checks• Your horse must pass a post-race vet exam• You do not have to own a horse to compete inRide and Tie• You do not need to be an ultra-runner• Some riding experience is a must• All teams are required to have fun!To get started in Ride and Tie, visit rideandtie.org40 Arabian Horse Magazine • August/September 2006

But there was only one problem. “I didn’t run at all”,Amanda told me. “But Carol convinced me to try it.”Amanda gathered three of her friends, her 18-year-old Arabian,Empress Sorsha “Reba,” and a friend’s Arabian, and theyheaded off for a girls’ weekend out. Their strategy was simple—dothe short six mile course, finish and have fun. ItI had already beentold that the horsesalways come first,but witnessing it firsthand was a truetestament to thissport and the peoplewho participate.worked. Instead of trying to compete,they collectively did the racetogether—two teams as one, riding,running, and tying together. “Rebahad a blast,” Amanda laughed. “It’samazing. They just get it. She is ourfamily horse. My kids ride her aroundbareback. But when she is out there,she just gets the sport.”Jennifer agreed. “It takes aboutthree times for them to understand,but they are so smart,” she said. “It’s the Arabian. Once theyget the game, they don’t care who gets off of them. They turnaround on the trail and look for their next rider.”When I asked them about the demands on their horse, theywere both quick, and serious, to point out the importance oftheir crew. “They really take care of the horses here. That’sthe priority.”Yes, Ride and Tie has its fair share of extreme athletes, butAmanda and Jennifer’s enthusiasm and approach to the sportgave me the perspective I was looking for. These were normalgals who love to ride, and successfully turned their girls’ weekendsinto something more than manicures and facials.It was 5 a.m. on race day when I heard the first whinny.Slowly, and in cadence, other horses echoed. One by one,before sounds of any people, the horses said good morning totheir fellow competitors.If there was summer camp for Arabians, this would be it. It’sall fun and games for the first few days, getting to know eachother and sizing up the competition. Then on the last day,when the fun culminates into competition, it’s “oh yeah?Well my owner is better than your owner.”I ran up to see Winddreamselborio “Koona,” a 13-year-oldArabian owned by Rufus Schneider of Descanso, Calif. Hewas being ridden by David de la Rosa of Santa Barbara, Calif.,and Michael Fraysee of Derry, N.H. When I got to David’strailer, Koona was standing in the back of his temporary paddock,in full game-face mode. His front feet were rocking backand forth in perfect rhythm. David was talking to him, and Iswear they were going over the race together, step by step.I was also on another mission that morning. There was arumor that a man by the name of Jim Howard of Applegate,Calif., was at the race.Howard is a world-class runner. He is nationally ranked, aWestern States and Leadville 100 veteran. Knowing hisaccomplishments, I was set on meeting him. I asked aroundcamp, and sure enough, he was well known.Disheartened for not getting to meet Jim Howard, afterrunning around like crazy, I stopped to wish the Ruprechtgang good luck. They were all ready to go—Carol and Ted,Arabian Horse Magazine • August/September 2006 41

THOM VOLLENWEIDERRide & Tie Championship Notables:Lupe de la Fuente,Caroline Strongman,and “Star”• AHA presented an award to the teamwho competed on the oldest purebredArabian. Star, a 24-year-oldgelding, owned by Caroline Strongman,and also ridden by Lupe de laFuente, completed the 14-milecourse and was given all “A’s” by thevet team• Of the 38 teams who attended thisyear’s championship, 32 competedon an Arabian, Half-Arabian or Anglo-Arabian horseAmanda, Jennifer and Reba cross the finish line, reveling in their first 14-milecourse finish.Elaine and Melissa, Jim and Tom. Sarah was still the life ofthe party, dressing Elaine’s horse Jazz Jubilee “Jay,” in blue ribbonsfrom head to toe.I ran up the hill from the starting area to get a better view.Teams gathered, crew members took off to their first posts,and nearly 40 Arabians danced under their saddles, waitingimpatiently for their cue. From my vantage point, you couldalmost feel the pressure.“One minute to start,” the voice said over the loud speaker.Family and friends gathered to cheer, the horn finally blewand they were off!Horses, riders and runners barreled up the hill en masse.With the crowd cheering them on, I watched the field of competitorsdisappear over the first ridge. I ran up the hill behindthem to a point on the course where all three loops intersected.The trail dipped down into a valley, and I could see thefirst ties taking place. Teams were mostly within sight of eachother, riders jumping off quickly to tie, a quick yell to theirpartner, and they were off. I could see Koona in the distance.As soon as his rider was off and running, his head immediatelyturned back down the trail, waiting in anticipation for hisother teammate. Another horse came galloping past him, andhe stood there, engaged, not flinching until it was time.Rob Lydon was right. It was hot. And the horses felt it. Atthe first vet check the riders jumped off, and the crew memberswere right there to start cooling off the horse. Each vetcheck required the horse’s pulse and respiration be broughtdown to a mandatory 72 beats per minute. When MagicSirocco came in, I jumped to help. Sirocco stood there, knowingthe drill. He was patient and breathed deep as we continuouslysponged him for several minutes. He was rock solid, passedhis vet check, and was out of the shoot for the second loop.Three hours later, I found myself at the finish line pacinglike a mother, worried my kids wouldn’t arrive safely. “Riderscoming in,” yelled the finish line staff, and I looked up to seeBen and Lisa, smiling from ear to ear, coming in together forthe first place win in the 14-mile short course.Not long after, the finish line crew yelled again. Tom andJim were coming in on Sirocco for first place in the longcourse. Were they kidding? Just over 3.5 hours? I was stunned.How did they beat Jim Howard’s team? They clasped handsand reveled in their win.Amanda, Jennifer and Reba finished the short course shortlyMadison TrochaCarrie Barrett, Alina Vale,and “Basia”• The youngest competitor was 8-yearoldMadison Trocha, who completedthe 14-mile course with her father,Bob Trocha. Her sister Caylin, 10, alsocompleted the 14-mile course• The oldest competitors were PeterKlopfer, 75, and his wife Martha, 71,who traveled from North Carolina• The coveted Best Condition awardwent to Soubrette “Basia,” an 11-year-old Arabian owned by Liz Carey,and raced by the overall second placeand top woman/woman team, CarrieBarrett and Alina ValeALL PHOTOS BY THOM VOLLENWEIDERafter Jim and Tim came in. Tired, but laughing in gratitude asif they had just reached the peak of Mount Everest. Reba wasin great shape. Amanda, still grinning, said “we wanted to finish,we wanted not to be last, and we wanted to finish strong.We did all three, and we did it together.” Amanda could nolonger claim her six mile limit. She ran at least eight.I made a quick adjustment to take a picture of the scoreboard.I focused my lens and snapped the shot. I pulled thecamera away from my eye and looked again. I began laughinghysterically at myself. Little had I known, but Jim WAS JimHoward. And, his wife was Elaine Ruprecht. Essentially, I hadbeen camping and spending time with him and his family,running with his daughter and even riding his horse the pastthree days and never made the connection of who he was!I managed, while still laughing at myself, to tell theRuprechts what I’d been doing and, several hours later, afterthe awards ceremony, they were still laughing at me.“What a journalist,” Carol said.I thanked them for their generous hospitality and packedthe last of my camping gear. I’d arrived, days before, notknowing what to think about Ride and Tie. I was now leavingfeeling part of something special. Ride and Tie—a crazy, funsport that celebrates the Arabian breed in all its glory. It combinesstrength of mind and strength of heart and welcomesnewcomers of all ages and abilities.I drove back over the cattle guard in my Range Rover witha big smile stretched across my face. Before I made it to thefreeway, I made sure to swerve into the ditch just a little tosplash some mud up on the doors.42 Arabian Horse Magazine • August/September 2006