but I had never asked Rio to do 100 miles and seeing what she did for me, willingly, really touched me.” Many of the 2017 Tevis riders, including winner Lane and latenight-finisher Glassman, expressed gratitude to the volunteers who worked to allow them to ride through history and experience the challenge which led to a complete bonding with their horses. “Traveling alone in the dark, Rio and I became one being,” recalled Glassman. Lane described the moment she truly connected with Auli Farwa as “flowing like water down the trail.” This event is open to any equine or mule, registered or unregistered, but is truly dominated by Arabian blood. Tevis continues to serve as a proving ground for the breeding of sound, superior athletes, possessing good temperament and the capability to bond with their human partners. Even after nearly 24 hours in the saddle and little or no sleep, Glassman professed, perhaps with a slight exaggeration, “I could do this everyday. Could I win the lottery please?” But with her final question, she spoke for all who accept great challenges with their horses, “Really, how lucky are we?” Marsha Hayes writes about horses and the people who love them for a variety of equine publications. Her work has been featured in The Equestrian News, thehorse.com, Arabian Horse Life, several breed journals and The Huffington Post. For over 50 years she has feed, cared for, ridden and just hung out with her horses in both Kansas and New Mexico. 20
arabian horse
life
Issue 5. 2017
With only 10 minutes to spare, Erin Glassman and Rio cross the timed finish line to complete their first 100 mile event and their first Tevis.
“Traveling alone in the dark, Rio and I became one being,” recalled Glassman. Lane described the moment she truly connected with Auli Farwa as “flowing like water down the trail.”