I’ve just heard this through the grapevine, so DON’T quote me, but I heard there was a fairly bad accident at Tevis. All I heard was that a horse went over a cliff, and the fall was fatal. The rider was allright though. Does anybody know anything more, what happened, or who it was?
I can only say what I’ve heard so this is NOT an official report but I did hear it was Skip Kemerer’s horse Ice Joy. Skip’s family is very active in endurance and they are from Maryland. I believe Ice Joy is a Tb or Tb cross.
It is just horrifying to even contemplate. I have never dreamed of doing Tevis primarily because of the sections of dizzying trails with big drop offs with little room for error.:eek:
It is more than horrifying – it is gut wrentching. I knew that wonderful Thoroughbred mare - she was a GEM among horses, taking that heavyweight rider for his (and her) first 100 at the OD, and then to even more 100’s – a feat that few Thoroughbreds would ever manage in the domain of the Arab horse.
He was leading Icy on the trail and from an eyewitness who was with Skip at the time. This info comes froma private email:
" Beat up but okay, <my horse> very tired but sound and okay too. Ride is brutal to make on time without super horses. Guy I was riding with lost his horse just above swinging bridge, over the bank flipping, broke her neck. He was leading her.
"
THERE ARE MANY PARTS OF THE TEVIS TRAIL THAT ARE DANGEROUS!!! Time and time again I hear of horses that have fallen off that trail and been killed or injured. One year Lana Wright fell and had to be airlifted out. There are long stretches that are only one horse wide with very dangerous falloffs yet the bad portions remain and the ride goes on. I have heard this from every person I know personally who has ridden the Tevis, and it makes me wonder.
Consider this a rant because I’m personally feeling the loss of this beautiful, incredible mare, but a trail this dangerous that seems to take a horse’s life or severely hurt a horse almost every year - not only during the ride but also during training rides - should be BANNED from use in competition.
I don’t care if it was the “first endurance trail” and I really don’t care if Wendel Robie is held up by all the Californians as the all hallowed Endurance God, its about time the AERC stop worshiping the past and do what it so calls claims to do for the welfare of the horse and stop allowing this event to continue putting the horse at very clear and present risk by a highly dangerous trail.
I am both disgusted and angry - and you can be sure I’m going to let the current AERC president know my feelings.
OP - Why not change your title from “accident” to “Horse Killed”.
It took me a while to be able to put this post together because I am so angry I could scream. There is NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. Endurance is a dangerous sport, and the Tevis ride is the most dangerous of all, but seriously, some sections of this trail need to be re-routed, or barriers erected to help protect horses and riders more.
Sure, it’s macho to beat your chest and shout “Raarrrrrh!!! We made it!!” But seriously, when horses DIE on this trail, or go over cliffs and have to be swam across the river or air lifted out, something needs to change. We live in the era of PETA and if we don’t want the horse world cracking down on our sport, we have to change something.
I long for the day I can ride that trail. Everything I do with my horse is aimed at the day we’ll do 100 mile rides, and the thought of doing Tevis gets me teary eyed and emotional. But if this isn’t fixed, there won’t be a Tevis for me to ride because public outcry will have the ride shut down.
Endurance horses trust us more than anything in the world. We take them away from their herd and ask them to do things that make the mind spin. They trust us enough to give their life. Years ago, horses would ride into the face of battle and die because the rider told them to. And it is heart breaking to think that today in our civilized world, horses give their life in the name of sport and “fun” because we ask them to.
I am STILL beating myself up for the time the trail caved in and Sweets flipped end over end. She was not injured but it shook her confidence in me. And it well should have! Can you imagine these horses that go over cliffs on Tevis and tumble hundreds of feet before coming to rest on a ledge, alone in the dark, injured, without their rider, without food and water? The thought of it is absolutely gutt wrenching. Didn’t this happen to Paul, who posts on this forum?
Something has to be done. I haven’t visited the AERC board yet, but I will today when I have some time. I can only imagine what is being said there.
Freak accidents can happen while walking on a flat, groomed path, and a horse can die. But I feel that this is willful and outward neglect. This is irresponsible and thoughtless on the part of the AERC BOD.
I hope this is a wake up call. But how sickening that an animal had to give its life for people to get the message.
I am so sorry to hear this. I’ve seen Skip at a couple of rides where I’ve volunteered, though I don’t know him personally. He’s always a bright spot in the day and it is inspiring that he rides TB’s. I can only imagine how he must be feeling about this.
Yes, sections of trail where horses have fallen to their death need to be changed. Unless they want to change their motto from “To finish is to win” to read “To survive is to win.” Sheesh. It’s one thing if something spooks a horse and an accident results. But for them to fall simply because the trail itself is a danger…inexcusable.
Poor Skip. Poor mare. I hope it was a quick death for her.
I really feel the need to write what I saw there. I was few switchbacks behind this horse. I heard a fall and some trotting. I figured a rider had fallen off at swinging bridge and the horse was the one that was fine. Riding up a few switchbacks, I discovered that wasn’t the case. After praising my horse and cooing over him and the job he was doing, I turned around a switchback to see the horse laying down about 20 feet from the trail, having slipped down a slope that was probably only a 60 or 70% grade. It was not a “cliff”. It could have happened on most of the trails I any of us ride in if there are hills involved. I usually ride down by folsom lake in California… there are far more dangerous sections of trail there. I am a big weenie about cliffs and scary trail. This area was not part of the dangerous trail segments that tevis is knows for.
I think its important to ask two questions on this topic:
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Did this horse die because the trail is dangerous? No. This beautiful, fit, and very experienced horse died as a result of an unfortunate accident that could have happened most anywhere. I hope the rider does not read the thread responses and feel his horse died because he decided to ride tevis.
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Is the tevis trail dangerous? Yes. There are cliffs, and horses can die. The fact that the horse died in a relatively safe place is just kind of ironic. After riding passed this horse, even knowing it was not a terribly dangerous area, I felt more scared and guilt ridden about continuing. I asked about rider optioning out at deadwood, but went on. I led down the scary parts of el dorado canyon, and felt like I could get to foresthill and option out there, avoiding the California loop in the dark. It would not become an issue as I was pulled at chicken hawk.
I came away from this ride saying I never would ride it again. I might reconsider if the trail was ever made safer or rerouted around dangerous areas. I truly wish that they would take out areas of the trail that are known to be particularly risky like puckers point and the cal loop. I don’t think there is much you can do about the canyon descents, but if you get off and lead, it feels a bit safer as your horse doesn’t have to balance you.
Moreover, I don’t think that the ride loses any prestige by avoiding dangerous areas when possible (there is a cougar rock bypass now, and may people take it… has that ruined the prestige?) The ride would remain as physically challenging to any competitor. Endurance is meant to test the physical strength of your horse, not how gutsy you are and how willing you are to risk your horse’s life unnecessarily. I talked to many people at the pre-ride barbeque, and some said they would ride again if portions of the trails are taken out. I’m sure some might think I am a weenie.
To ride Tevis has been one of my lifelong ambitions, and I was raised going out to watch the ride every year with one of the photographers. Its been a big part of my life. I wish so much that I wanted to ride this ride again, but I don’t. At least not until it is made safer.
firefloyd - I’m sorry but I don’t understand what you’re trying to say in your post.
In one paragraph you say that a horse died due to an unfortunate accident on a safe part of the trail, that could happen anywhere.
Then a few lines later you are saying that you never want to ride this trail again because its too dangerous.
I’m just confused by your post.
I’m not seeing any press coverage or official reports on this accident, and so would not want to leap to conclusions.
But, speaking generally, I feel a need to throw out a few devil’s advocate questions:
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Is Tevis more dangerous than any other ride? Give me data. Death/injury rate per # of starters each year, and how that compares to other AERC rides.
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I think I noted that DVM’s finished 2nd and 3rd, and know that many vets ride this ride in particular and endurance rides in general- so I’d be interested in their professional opinion.
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If I am planning to participate in a horse event- any horse event- and learn in advance that there is something I might have an issue with- then I just don’t ride. I don’t believe anyone forces anyone to ride Tevis. I myself am not going to tell an organizer of an event that he/she has to change things because “I” want to participate so they have to suit “my” tastes.
I think we all agree that safety and horse welfare are generally paramount. But-honestly- I do get frustrated when the discussions of accidents (ACCIDENTS) in ‘any’ discipline get into high gear (as I’m sure this one will), with all of the woulda/coulda/shoulda associated therewith. There are NO guarantees in life, and people need to process that inescapable fact. The Tevis Cup is what it is. I would bet I know more horses who have inflicted catastrophic injury on themselves in their own stalls or paddocks than have been injured or killed competing the Tevis. And Tevis Cup aside, the only way to guarantee that YOUR horse won’t be sick/injured/dead is to NOT OWN HORSES.
I really don’t think, offhand, that the numbers I ask for in #1 above are going to show that it soars above the bell curve compared with other 100-milers. If it does- fine- AERC can and should weigh in on revising to meet accepted specifications, and Tevis organizers can decide whether to proceed with or without AERC.
I understand Firefloyd’s post: simply put, Tevis in general is dangerous enough in it’s ‘normal’ spots, that having super risky spots - Pucker’s Point or Cal Loop- are unnecessarily over-the-top risky. Obviously if a horse can fall off the trail in a decent enough area, the risks found in the over the top areas…are just that, over the top.
I’m sorry for the loss of the horse, truly I am. But no one forces anyone to enter Tevis, and like Beverly, I want to see the data that proves ‘Tevis kills more horses than most other 100 milers’. But with that said- will it really be an apples to apples comparison? 100 miles of rugged CA or other
western-style broken up country does not remotely equal 100 miles of Florida sand or gentle mid western hills. While I can get hurt here in AL, I can do it bigger and badder in MT 
Within endurance racing, deaths can occur for any reason - colic, broken leg, metabolic crisis, or other injuries or sickness. Some are related to the ride, some are not. Sometimes horses get sick and die on the spot, some die days or even weeks after the ride. But, I think on the whole, serious injuries and death are pretty rare within the sport. People generally take horse welfare VERY seriously.
But the fact is, endurance racing (or riding if you want to call it that) is an extreme sport. You’re not talking western pleasure or 4-H halter class here. You’re talking about athletes racing over varied and difficult terrain, often miles away from medical help or civilization.
I think that anyone who rides endurance takes serious account of their horse, theirself, their situation, and makes decisions on which rides to do based on the horse’s fitness, their own fitness, education, conditioning, and so forth. There are rides around here that I won’t do because I don’t feel that my horse is ready for them.
Having said all that though, it IS the responsibility of the head organization to make sure that trails are as free of immediate danger as possible. Any horse at any time can step in a hole and break a leg. If we choose to ride at speed on trails through the woods, we have to accept that stuff like this CAN happen. But it doesn’t mean that riders need to put their horse on the brink of danger and death and try to defy it just to make a point.
The ride is always ridden at the end of July or beginning of August. This is 100 miles over the roughest terrain of any endurance race out there. In California. In JULY or AUGUST. The heat in the canons rises above 100 degrees. I’ve read reports of 110 degrees. I’ve read ride stories from people who said they would have to get off their horse and puke behind a shrub because they had heat exhaustion and they were delerious while riding. To me, that part of it alone seems a bit over the top. Couldn’t the ride be moved to a fall time slot where temps are likely to be cooler? You have a rider who is THAT exhausted and delerious from high temperatures - how can you expect them to ride in a manner that actually helps the horse?
Then you have sections of trail with steep cliffs and drop offs. All you have to do is read the many stories out there about Tevis to know that sections of the trail ARE extremely dangerous. I haven’t ridden it so I have no way of knowing first hand. I only have photos and ride stories to go on.
This is like the Eventing people who want those special pins in the jumps so it colapses and prevents rotational falls. It just MAKES SENSE. And it just MAKES SENSE to me to make some changes that would keep the ride challenging, and elite but not death defying.
I have ridden part of the Tevis trail myself-not competetion-but just ridden. While it may seem scary-it is what it is. I am moving back to LA and going back to ride some of my favourite trails there in Malibu. Many trails there have 500-600 ft drop offs that are at least 100 -200 ft long and single track. Some places switchbacks. After a while you get used to it. Yes it can get hot. But see it is the high sierras and many of the upper level trails are snowed out till at least may or June. I rode in the sierras in september once and had snow/hail. Up there heat is much better than having to deal with rain/snow/hail . Last thing you wan’t to deal with is a wet/mushy /slippery trails at those altitudes and drop offs especially when both rider/horse are not familiar and having to do it speed.
It is the challenge that makes people come to it. I don’t know about the details-but that terrain is not really that different than in other places in the Sierras-or in even L.A. But you are doing it at speed and in unfamiliar conditions and possibly darkness-so yes there is a lot of risk in that. But I guess that is why many people wan’t to do it once in their lifetimes. They do know the risk.
But I don’t know the details of this particular case-but yes it is defnitely going to be more risky than a 100 mi race across the desert in Dubai.
[QUOTE=Auventera Two;4279715]
Endurance is a dangerous sport, and the Tevis ride is the most dangerous of all, but seriously, some sections of this trail need to be re-routed, or barriers erected to help protect horses and riders more.[/QUOTE]
No. Sorry.
While some parts of the trail do weather and slide away. The trail for the race should be maintained at the same ‘width’ and element of risk that it was the first time it was ridden. It is the world’s hardest race for a reason. It sholuld not be ‘dumbed down’ so that anyone can ride it nor should it be allowed to decay to the point where no one can.
I would like to know the statistics on the horse death/end of use injuries at FEI levels myself. No other sport requires the partnership that endurance does (although some service minis and theropy horses might - it is not a sport)
A rider made mistake - his horse paid the price. Chris Reeves horse made a mistake - He paid the price. Accidents happen.
I myself have had enough of being ticketed, dictated, regulated, watched and taxed to death. Every day you live you risk death. I’d rather fall off a cliff than drop dead in a nice safe cubicle.
Riding itself is dangerous - are you willing to give up that? - I’m not.
There are lots of horse sports that carry a high level of risk. Some of those activities are ilegal (horse tripping), some are seriously frowned on by some of the horse population (suicide races, rodeos, steeplechasing), and still others are still practiced but efforts have been made to increase safety (eventing, stadium jumping, working cow events, polo).
As a whole, endurance riding is safer than it was at its inception. Veterinary protocols and treatments, equipment such as heart rate monitors and GPS, newly designed tack that is lightweight and comfortable, advanced clothing and things like camel backs and riding sneakers, bylaws and rules to mandate heart rates, lameness exams, well marked trails, emergency transport for injured riders or horses, “new-age” hoof care options and shoeing techniques, etc…
Do you think any of the aforementioned have “dumbed down” the sport? 
I don’t. The sport has evolved past heavy western saddles, cowboy boots, jeans, and a bottle of water to be shared between horse and rider. You now have lightweight gear and athletic clothing, high powered sports drinks, and veterinary checks and stops stocked with water tanks, crew, and veterinary expertise. I think it’s just the natural evolution of any horse sport. As technology is available, and studies are conducted, horses and riders are generally kept safer. I don’t think it is unreasonable to think that some sections of the trail should be re-routed or made safer in some way.
Edited to Add:
I hate the thought of being regulated right out of existance too, and that’s why I think we need to self-police before somebody steps in and does it for us! TWHs anyone???
Just some observations -
I would agree with maintaining the original trail in good condition, however the trail route has been changed countless times over the years for many reasons. The length has varied from possibly 80 miles to 110 miles. There just is no “original route” available anymore because of private property restrictions, changes in population and roads, and natural changes.
The goal of the ride has always been to get from Tahoe to Auburn. Although some of the trail is “historical,” often the best way to make your way down the mountains on horseback is different from year to year. For much of the ride’s existence we had Wendel Robie with his incredible connections finding new routes when progress eliminated routes through the years. For example the California Loop is a completely different route added in the 70s I believe when Todd’s Valley got built up and they needed to avoid it. In recent years glow sticks have been hung along this 18 mile route, traveled by most in the dark above the American River, for added safety. I’m sure Wendel and his ghostly riding partners are fine with that.
Although there are trail work groups from both the ride and the run that each year inspect the trail for damage and make some repairs, the trail in many places is inaccessible by trail building equipment. For example Cougar Rock was once a very safe place to climb up and over. You went straight up it and your horse’s shoes caught on the roughness of the geologic formation (Mehrten mud flow deposits). Now Cougar Rock is almost slick from both the elements and the trail traffic over it. It’s not really repairable, and that is why there is a trail around it. Most folks go up it once for the photos and then on future rides skip it but there are slips. The Rock is early in the competition so most people get there and treasure their Cougar Rock photo, so I hope they can do something to restore the Rock.
The ride will not be thought of as less of an accomplishment if safety changes are made. The original riders really didn’t have as many dangers as the modern riders do - I can think off the top of my head of several places that are now paved that were not 20-40 some years ago, and the American River crossing used to have a bridge that was washed out in the 1960s and now the horses have to cross in the cobbles. Erosion was much less. In some areas now there are dirt bikes to contend with. Time marches on. New routes are actually traditional for the ride (incidentally purists call it the Western States Trail Ride and not the Tevis Cup Ride). Sometimes it takes awhile to figure out certain portions of the trail are dangerous, but when we do we really should address the danger in some way.
Having the ride in the fall, while a very nice idea, leads to a lot more time in the dark. And you are likely to have either a late heat wave or an early snow. Realize that horses have died doing this ride before - less now than in the infancy of the sport when we really didn’t have a clue, but it happens. You are not going to get accurate statistics on this either.
The horse does not choose to put forth this amazing effort that we ask of him. We should make the ride as safe as we reasonably can for our animals. The accomplishment of a horse and rider finishing a ride from Tahoe to Auburn will never be lessened by such efforts.
Didn’t read all the replies. One of our club members was right behind Skip and saw the incident. This is the info (email) from Danny G (who was behind Skip.)
(snip)
They were climbing up to Devil’s Thumb. Skip was off leading. The horse
stumbled, and when it went to recover itself, it stepped backward off the
edge of the trail. It fell about 30 ft and broke it’s leg and very, very
badly hit its head (broken skull). Horse was dead immediately from a few
reports.
(snip)
Later reports indicated Ice Joy was euth’d.
Skip was riding with his daughter Ashley, who continued on, but was later pulled at Lower Quarry.
The Tevis trail has in fact been changed over the years, several harder/more difficult sections have been removed, due to falls, the one section of trail where Spider (he was fine btw, - but it was a very scary fall) fell several years back is one of the sections removed I believe.I may be wrong however (I’ll have to look up it up)
The Tevis is a tough tough ride, there’s a reason why people think long and hard about competing in it. I ‘ve ridden 100 milers for several years and I still don’t have the guts to go try it. Although I’ve crewed it a few times. It is still however considered the epitome of endurance. Only the Australian 100 miler in the outback the Tom Quilty, I think is considered even close to the Tevis’ equal)
Is this event horse eror or rider error, I’m not sure, I wasn’t there so I cannot comment, the only fact I know is according to the rider behind them Skip’s horse stumbled. I’m sure we’ll hear more on ridecamp with a clearer explanation of what went on, until then, we are mostl working on innuendo and rumors:/
there is always investigation into endurance deaths. Either by the AERC, or FEI, depending on the level of competition. The investigations results are also always published. fyi.
[QUOTE=5;4280544]
I would like to know the statistics on the horse death/end of use injuries at FEI levels myself. No other sport requires the partnership that endurance does (although some service minis and theropy horses might - it is not a sport) [/QUOTE]
this I agree on, I’ve been campaigning in our club here for several years for a stat base of horses -injuries/deaths/retirements due to competition issues.
I think stats like this would be useful in a variety of ways.
Trail safety, marking, routes, etc.
Vet controls(vets being used) possible doping, etc.
Riders who are not listening to their horses and running through a horse a year.- we all know those riders exist.
Plus I’d love to get a overall clear picture of the career span on average of an endurance horse.
Agree with 5
I agree with 5…Tevis is Tevis for a reason. I have ridden in many rides across the western US. I have encountered plenty of trails on these rides that are just as dangerous (I LOVE riding on the edge of the canyons out at the Bryce Canyon 5 day ride) and ride in many places for training and pleasure that have cliffs and sliding areas, etc etc. Endurance is an extreme sport in many ways. It is NOT just a “test of horse strength” (that would be draft horse pulling contests). It is a test of strength, endurance, and skill. Skill means trails that are NOT groomed park trails like hacking around Central Park in NY or something. I have not ridden Tevis yet, but that is due to not having a horse capable of doing 100 miles in heat and up and down those mtns… I sure can’t wait to do that ride though when I DO have a horse that can do it.
And besides all this, kinda the kettle calling the pot black, no? This forum is for a hunting/eventing magazine and I think there are WAY more injuries/deaths in esp eventing than endurance horses/riders falling off the trail. And no amount of “safety releases” on the jumps will change that. I guess we should regulate eventing to only allow 2ft high jumps then, to protect the horses???
Riding horses is risky to the horse and rider just by itself. If you don’t have a calm, non spooking, and surefooted horse, don’t do Tevis (and 80% of the mountain terrain rides out there…). But we should NOT dumb down endurance trails just cause a horse fell off the trail.
prudence -
Very, very well said. Thank you.
rainechyldes - I got my information from the person riding with Skip. He said Icy fell and died. There was NOTHING regarding euth which I consider a bogus attempt to “soften” the horrible occurance.
I mean, how dare anything like yet another horse die on the altar of this trail tarnish the image of this ride.
An I still pissed?? You’re damn right I am.
I think it is quite a feat to complete the Tevis. I did a section-but it was just moseying along, following a been there done that rider on a been there done that horse. The sierras have some beutiful trails. To me I find that is the best way to explore!
Considering the trails, it is just amazing the speed at which riders finish. The Santa monica mountains in LA have some interesting trails and usually the single track stuff with a drop off , I always do a slow and steady pace. Once we are just getting on an uphill section with a drop off -single track , mountain on one side and drop off on the other - and a deer or something just jumped behind us and my mare took off and up we went running uphill. That is not a place where you wan’t a fight with your horse. But those moments , you just get into this real serene quite space and then when the danger is passed, is when you start to freak out!:lol: Both me and the horse know the trail well-so I certainly can imagine the difficulty going at speed in trails like that where you or the horse don’t have a clue about what comes around the corner, the footing or the dangers.
But people do it and met quite a few folks who have completed it atleast once-just normal folks to whom that was a goal. If it is extremely dangerous , yeah shut that section off-but in this case looks like a freak accident. Nobody says Tevis is an easy ride. It is tough. Most people know what they are getting into…
Pucker Point
And straight from this year’s ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJRi5nFGG9g&feature=channel_page This is a video (esp the last 1/3) of “Pucker Point”… one of the notoriously scary and dangerous sections of the trail…I saw this and had to laugh…the width of the trail seemed a FREEWAY to me…I ride trails that have just as much dropoff, but a horse BARELY fits. So all you ppl saying how bad the trails are take a look. It is NOT that bad. Yes, you don’t want a spooky, tripping, idiot horse on that trail, but the trails are not that unsafe. Accidents happen even to good horses. But so many horses have gone down the Tevis trail with no issues (at the ride and every day “trail riding”). You all are just blowing this way out of proportion.
