Coronavirus is on everyone's mind with the effects being felt around the world. The situation is volatile, and we're all concerned for the health and safety of our family, friends, and colleagues. We are clearly in uncharted territory.
On March 23, 2020, the Sacramento Bee reported “...an April lifting of the stay-at-home and social distancing measures [California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom] ordered into place last Thursday ‘would be sooner than any of the experts (he) talked to would believe is possible.’ Newsom suggested the dramatic social distancing measures could continue for as long as 12 more weeks, which would be mid-June.”
Our event is permitted through two US Forest service offices and one State Park (Auburn State Recreation Area). Any restrictions implemented by those agencies could affect the Western States Trail Ride (Tevis). ASRA is currently closed to groups but open to individual riders and hikers. The same is true of the US Forest Service trails. Social distancing practices are expected while outdoors anywhere in the state of California.
Scheduling:
The WSTF Executive Committee met (via Zoom) on the evening of March 24. Although we continue to plan for our 65th annual Tevis Ride for August 1st, we realize that we need to be ready to move the event to a fall date or cancel it pending continuing developments. We are approaching the planning for our Educational Ride on July 3-5 in the same manner.
Safeguards:
The past few days have also brought into sharp relief what a world dealing with coronavirus looks like. People throughout the world are doing all they can to minimize contact with others, to practice social/physical distancing and to avoid large gatherings. We ask that in order to stay ahead of the curve that you continue to be aware of the latest US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines in order to ensure your health and safety and the health and safety of those around you. For riders in the United States, please abide by shelter-in-place requirements or restrictions on movement if your state or city has implemented them; for our international riders, this means that you understand and are following any public health restrictions or guidelines that are in place in your particular country.
Mileage Qualifications:
Riders are required to qualify for entry into the Tevis by completing a lifetime 300 miles of endurance competition. This is a safety requirement that we feel very strongly protects fellow equestrians, our equines, our volunteers and spectators.
We are aware that many sanctioned events have been cancelled (and we expect this to continue), lessening the opportunities gain qualifying miles. Because of current circumstances we are considering a rule adjustment which allows sanctioned events over 25 miles to count toward this 300-mile minimum requirement. This needs to be approved by the Board during the April meeting.
If you are close to reaching the current 300-mile requirement, but find it difficult or impossible to complete the requisite miles, please submit your record in writing via email to the WSTF office. When we receive your request, we will ask for a ruling from our committee of three Board of Governors who will seriously consider your situation.
Our goal in this unprecedented time remains the same:
we will do everything we possibly can to keep our community safe,
and to hold our event in 2020.
We will continue to update you and be as transparent as possible
as we figure out the best path forward for our riders and community.
Thank you for your patience and trust in these unsettling times.
Sincerely,
Chuck Stalley, Ride Director
Western States Trail Ride
Please continue to monitor this website and our Facebook page
(Tevis Cup 100 Mile One Day Ride - Western States Trail Foundation) for updates.
