Stacy and Jim’s Training Strategies On the Road to Tevis

Stacy Motschenbacher riding Coyote Jim, her Mustang gelding. To her left is Gina Rice, riding Biscuit. These two teams are both training for Tevis and sponsored by Action Rider Tack and Toklat, Inc.

 

Action Rider Tack and Toklat, Inc., are sponsoring Stacy Motschenbacher and her 10-year-old Mustang gelding, Coyote Jim, who are on their way to the 2015 Tevis Cup. On June 15, 2015, they participated in the Limestone Challenge near Selma, Oregon, as part of their preparation to ride the Tevis Cup, the 100-mile endurance ride.

Stacy’s comments, “The Limestone Challenge was a great 50-mile training ride. The elevation profile showed that in 50 miles, the trail went up 10,000 feet. Tevis goes up 19,000 feet in 100 miles, so this really was a good example of what that kind of elevation change looks like.”

“Jim did well,” continues Stacy. “Only comment the veterinarian at the vet check, Dr. Benson, said was he could lose a little weight! Sheesh, never had a horse that I have ridden this hard that needed to be on a constant diet!”

“I think what will be much harder about Tevis is that the trail itself is harder and the heat will be over 20 degrees hotter during the day. Plus add the stress of 200 riders at the start. Plus hour after hour of riding takes its toll. Problems that you can get away with on a 50-mile ride start to become an issue with longer miles.”

“Next on my training schedule is a ride in the heat with Gina Rice, also sponsored by Action Rider Tack and Toklat, Inc, on their rode to Tevis. I will also go to The Tevis Educational Ride, to get some tips from others who have ridden it before.”

“I am trying to give Jim some time off, but we really do need to do some rides in the heat. After the Tevis Educational ride, which will be two tough days of riding, I will be doing more heat training, while trying not to over ride him.”

July Action Rider of the Month – Kaidyn Griggs

Kaidyn Griggs riding Magical on the Klickitat Trek Endurance Ride in Washington.
Photo credit: Cassidy Rae Joyce cassidyraephotography.instaproofs.com

Kaidyn Griggs is the Action Rider for the month of July. It is so refreshing to see the next generation in the saddle, especially on an endurance ride. This little girl and her pony are burning up the trail and obviously enjoying every minute of it.

Kaidyn is seven years old and often rides with her grandmother, Debby Griggs. Debby comments, “My granddaughter rode two 25-mile rides in 2014, and we have ridden one 25-mile this year and another Saturday/Sunday ride with 25 miles each day!”

“Kaidyn is also a hunter rider and takes lessons and participates in horse shows,” Debby continues. “We laughed last year as she was drinking out of a tippy cup before cantering her pony around the arena. When she was three, she would sit in the corner of the arena wrapped in a horse blanket and just wait for me to finish riding so we could cool out my horse. She has always loved to ride.”

A bit on the shy side, Kaidyn’s trainer was once asked during her lesson, “How do you know she understands and is listening?”

He called out to her, “You listen and understand right?” She nodded her head yes, and he called out her next jump course. As she completed the course the onlooker smiled and said, “Yep, I think you two have a silent language and it works.”

The gray pony Kaidyn is riding is Magical. He is 11 hands tall and the Griggs have owned him for two years now. He is said to be fifteenish. Debbie adds, “He is a little beast, as is his rider!”

“Just last night Kaidyn said I had to ride with her,” Debbie continues. “I didn’t want to as it was so hot, but she said after I set her jumps….’Get on, Grandma.’  She is definitely my inspiration!”