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Discipline - Ride and Tie

Introduction to Ride and Tie

In pioneer times if two people found themselves with one horse one person would walk while the other rode ahead on the horse. After a few miles the rider would tie the horse to a tree and continue on foot. The person who began walking would catch up to the horse, mount it, and ride past the second person. Again the horse would be tied, and the relay begun again. This gave each person chance to rest as they rode and some time for the horse to rest as it stood waiting for the next rider.

A couple of centuries later (1971 to be exact), a San Francisco Bay area Levi Strauss executive became intrigued by the concept and co-opted it as a promotional event for the jeans-maker with the Levi Ride. While it had its rough moments, a sport was born. This unusual equestrian event combines the skill of horsemanship, the endurance of long-distance running, and the strength of teamwork. The object is to get all three team members (two humans and one horse) across a cross-country course that typically ranges from 5 - 20 miles but can be as long as 40 miles in the case of the World Championships.

All teams start off at the same time with one team member running while the other is mounted on horseback. The rider covers as much distance as they think their partner can run (or walk) and still keep up a decent pace. At that strategic point the rider stops, dismounts, ties the horse to a tree or fence post, and continues down the trail on foot. The team member who started on foot gets to the horse, climbs on and rides to catch their partner up ahead. When they get to their running team member they can either stop and exchange in a "flying tie" or ride further up the trail and tie the horse and then continue running. During the race, the humans must switch off a minimum number of times and the horse must successfully pass vet checks along the way for the team to get to the finish line.

When, where, and how a team exchanges is up to them, and this is where the strategy lies. Every trail runner has their strengths and weaknesses, and the same is true for horses. Factor all the strengths and weaknesses of two runners and one horse, along with weather conditions and the topography of the course, and you can understand why Ride & Tie is as much mental as physical.

Teams can be any age or gender. A "century" team has three members whose ages add up to 100 or more. In addition to the human partners who can run long distances under rugged conditions, the horse must be the type that can handle the start-and-stop activity as well. Not to mention the horse has to be ok with being left by its rider and having other horses pass it as well.

The perfect Ride and Tie horse is competitive and aware of how the "game" works. It can pick you out of a crowd and identify you from a distance, ready to do its' job as soon as you get a foot in a stirrup.

The real reward is the sense of accomplishment when you finish a Ride & Tie. You are tired, sore, and probably a little dehydrated, but the only thing that matters is the rush you get from actually finishing a race. The Ride and Tie is the epitome of the endurance riding motto, "to finish is to win".

A TYPICAL RACE

Before the race the veterinary team will examine your horse. The trail master describes the features of the trail and how to follow trail makers as well as where further vet checks and water stops are to ensure your horse's health and safety. All horses and runners will line up at the starting line and begin at the same time. The electricity in the air is the unmistakable nervous anticipation of horses and humans alike. When the "Ready, set, GO" command is given, the butterflies are immediately replaced with a adrenaline rush as the herd of horses, once standing 15-20 wide, and 5-6 deep, flood out at a flat out gallop.

All teams have the same strategy for the start - simply to survive it. Riderless horses have been known to race to catch-up to the galloping herd while their dumped riders run after them. A haze or dust quickly settles over the start but most runners are prepared, with bandannas covering their noses and mouths and glasses to protect their eyes from dust and flying rocks from the speeding horses in front.

For the first couple of miles, the trail is crowded with runners and horses each dodging the other. The unspoken rule of the road is to pass on the left, so runners try to keep to the right, leaving as much room as possible for upcoming horses. Horse tied to stout trees dot the sides of the trail. Decorated with brightly colored ribbons or strange or unusual grease pencil markings to distinguish them from other horses, they wait, standing in a cloud of steam from their own body heat. Their eyes are wide with excitement as they search down the trail for their human partner. "Loose Horse" is the call for anyone and everyone to look out, not just the runners but the riders too.

At about mile five, the crowd begins to thin. Horses settle as their team gets into a riding and tying rhythm. With the worst miles behind (or the best depending on how you look at it) but many more in front, it is time to put their race strategy to work. There is only one constant in Ride & Tie, and that is that nothing is ever constant. Every mile and every tie has another set of circumstances to deal with. A team must be focused, recalling many details from the maps and quickly make adjustments to their strategy to maximize all three team members to the team's advantage.

Midway in the race is a mandatory checkpoint called a vet check. Every Ride & Tie has at least one vet check, and usually two or three. Its purpose is to protect the horses from being abused in any way. The horse must meet a predetermined pulse and respiration criteria, then be examined by veterinarians for signs of fatigue, sickness, dehydration, and lameness. Any horse in question will not be allowed to continue.

The last part of a Ride & Tie, is more like multiple mini-races within a race. Equally matched teams will tend to group and spread out from other groups of equally matched teams, creating competitive skirmishes amongst the four or five teams in the group. Although the competition is great, all know that the real competition is the course itself and the weather. Both can be amenable, or relentless, and both must be considered in combination.

Finishing a Ride & Tie is both humbling and gratifying. You are not there by your own efforts, but by the efforts of all three team members. Your placing will be determined when your last team member crosses the finish line. The vet teams examine your horse again at the end. If your horse finishes lame or is otherwise over stressed you may be eliminated. To most participants, a Ride & Tie is not won by the fastest team; it is won by those who have the will and fortitude just to finish.

EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED

  • A comfortable saddle that fits the horse and both riders with adjustable stirrups.
  • A halter, bridle and rope combination that allows you to safely tie your horse without removing the bit such as halter under a bridle, or a special endurance bridle.
  • A pit crew to meet you on trail with refreshing drinks, snacks, sponges, towels, and encouragement.
  • Sponges and water buckets for cooling down the horse.
  • Shoes or boots comfortable and safe for both running and riding. You can also use regular running shoes with safety stirrups or stirrup cages.

PREPARING YOUR HORSE

If you have been riding four or five times a week either in the ring or on the trail your horse will probably be fit enough to do a ride 'n' tie of less than twelve miles at a slow to moderate pace. If you plan to go further faster than you'll need to prepare weeks in advance gradually increasing the distance and then the speed at which you travel.

If you want to be able to leave your horse tied to a tree practice at home. Go with another rider, tie your horse and have the other rider travel past your horse first at a walk, and then faster until your horse becomes relaxed. Most horses quickly learn to stand quietly.

PREPARING YOURSELF

Find a partner who can ride. Both of you should be able to walk or run one half the distance you are planning to go. Riding and running over rough trail is more fatiguing than just riding or running alone so don't over estimate your fitness level! If you plan to go further then you will plan your own conditioning program like a marathon runner.

Be sure to wear comfortable clothing. Many people wear riding tights or very loose pants. If the weather starts out cool, layer your clothing and hand off unwanted garments to your pit crew as you warm up. Although helmets may not be required they are still a wise idea. If you don't know how to tie a secure quick release knot, you'll want to perfect that before heading out.

AT THE END OF THE DAY ...

For most participants, the best part of a Ride and Tie is the camaraderie. For these folks, Ride and Tie is not necessarily about reaching the finish line first, but about how you get there.through beautiful landscapes, through hard work and through the special bond between humans and horses.