All in the Family: Mother-Daughter Duo Claim Tevis and Haggin Cup

ThePlaidHorse.com - Full Article

July 30 2024
By MERRI MELDE

The 68th running of the iconic Tevis Cup, known as one of the toughest 100-mile endurance rides in the world, was held July 21st, 2024. 139 horses and riders started from Robie Park above Lake Tahoe at 5:15 AM and climbed over the Sierra Nevada Mountains with the goal of reaching Auburn, California, in a 24-hour time limit.

In this year’s historic finish, a mother-daughter team of Jeannette and Reyna Mero from Mariposa, California, crossed the finish line in first and second places. Mother Jeannette, 56, finished at 10:05 PM aboard her partner in the endeavor, 12-year-old Arabian mare Ozark Kaolena SWA (Lena). Fourteen minutes later, daughter Reyna, 22, trotted under the finish banner in second place riding the 11-year-old Arabian mare Chndakas Eklipse SWA (Clippie).

Additionally, Sunday afternoon Reyna received the coveted Haggin Cup, awarded to the rider whose horse is judged to be in the most superior physical condition of the first ten horses to cross the finish line. Jeanette and Lena won the Haggin Cup in 2021.

With over 14,000 feet of elevation gain and 20,000 feet of elevation loss, rocks underfoot, bogs, dust, a river crossing, and guaranteed heat, particularly while traversing two deep canyons, the Tevis trail unrelentingly challenges the mental and physical abilities of horses and riders...

Read more here:
https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2024/07/30/all-in-the-family-mother-daughter-duo-claim-tevis-and-haggin-cup/

Mother, daughter finish 1-2 in Tevis Cup

GoldCountryMedia.com - Full Article

Jordan Georgeson
Jul 21, 2024 12:11 AM

In her sixth successful ride, Jeanette Mero can finally claim the most coveted title in endurance riding: the Tevis Cup.

The Mariposa native completed her 100-mile journey to Auburn's McCann Stadium at 10:05 p.m. Saturday night to win the 68th Tevis Cup, finishing with a time of 17 hours and five minutes. Mero has been a consistent top-10 finisher at Tevis for several years and won the Haggin Cup in 2021, but a first-place finish eluded her until Saturday.

"I honestly gave up thinking it would happen, and I was happy enough with winning a different cup. I'm kind of still in awe," Mero said, noting she was still nervous as she crossed the finish line in Auburn. "At that point, you're still praying that the horse is good, and you gotta get through the vet check to win. This was 20 years of hard work and there's nothing like this. The Tevis Cup is the biggest win in our sport. It's just amazing."

Mero said the difference this year was that everything went right for her and her horse, Lena, a 12-year-old Arabian that now boasts four Tevis finishes of her own...

Read more here:
https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/310631/jeanette-mero-wins-tevis-cup-daugher-reyna-finishes-second-wins-haggin-cup/

The Meros: Mother-Daughter Duo Claim Top Spots in 2024 Tevis Cup

By Merri Melde-Endurance.net

July 20 2024

Jeanette (Jay) Mero, of Mariposa, California, riding Ozark Kaolina SWA (Lena), won the 2024 Tevis Cup in a ride time of 14 hours 50 minutes. It was Jay’s 6th Tevis finish and Lena’s 5th finish. The duo won the Haggin Cup (Best Condition) in 2021.

Fourteen minutes later Jay’s daughter Reyna finished in second place aboard Chndakas Eklipse SWA (Clippie). It was the fifth Tevis finish for Reyna and the third for Clippie.

The Tevis Cup is still underway; competitors have until 5:15 AM July 21 to finish. 

To be continued…

http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2024TevisCup/

With Tevis Cup approaching, Auburn proclaims July 13 as Arabian Horse Day

GoldCountryMedia.com - Full Article

Traci Newell
Jul 09, 2024

In anticipation of the Western States Trail Ride approaching July 20, Auburn Mayor Rachel Radell-Harris proclaimed July 13 Arabian Horse Day in Auburn.

“Arabian horses are truly remarkable,” Radell-Harris said at a city council meeting Monday night. “They have made a lasting impact on many equestrian activities and continue to be admired for their versatility and lively nature. They have a rich history, unique traits and a lasting legacy.”

The proclamation highlighted the Arabian horses’ endurance and suitability for long-distance trail competitions. They have played a significant role in the Western States Trail Ride, commonly referred to as the Tevis Cup Ride, which concludes each year in Auburn...

Read more here:
https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/310441/with-tevis-cup-approaching-auburn-proclaims-july-13-as-arabian-horse-day/

John Hall 1940-2024

MariposaGazette.com

July 4 2024

John William Hall was born on Aug. 2, 1940 in Caraway, Ark. and passed on May 11, 2024 in Fresno, Calif., after a year of declining health.

John was born to Laverne and George Hall and moved to California with his parents at a young age. He was raised in Richmond and Berkeley, where he graduated from Berkeley High School.

He and his wife, Beth, moved to the Oakland hills after marrying in 1973, where they enjoyed riding their horses and raising their family.

John participated in many long distance horse rides, including Tevis, with his trusted horses, Payote and Sal.

John retired in 1994 to Mariposa after 30 years as a union carpenter. He built their beautiful log home in Mariposa with the help of family and friends.

After retiring, John enjoyed trap shooting, bowling, horseback riding, motorcycle riding, riding the trails in his jeep and supporting many local foundations.

He was an animal lover with his many dogs, cats and horses throughout the years. John was always one to be ready with a joke and a smile. He never met a stranger and loved his family immensely!

John cherished the times he was able to travel with Beth and his family during their many cruises to Alaska, Eastern Coast of the U.S. and the Panama Canal; as well as the trips to Tennessee, Wyoming, Hawaii and Arizona throughout the years.

John was preceded in death by his parents, George and Laverne Hall and a brother, Marshall Hall ( Jackie Hall).

John is survived by his loving wife, Beth Hall; his daughter, Dana Jasmine (Paul Jasmine); his son, Jason Hall (Shannon Henry); his grandchildren, Natalie Jasmine (David Schenker) and Kevin Jasmine (Phoenix Jasmine) and his brother, Robert Hall (Maureen Hall).

There will be a memorial service for John on Nov. 2 in Mariposa. If you would like information, please email jnbhall@sti.net for future place and time.

2024 Tevis Cup Preview

July 2 2024
By Merri Melde-Endurance.net

With 17 days remaining until the 68th running of the Tevis Cup, 147 riders are pre-entered to take on the 100 miles from Tahoe to Auburn on July 20.

These include previous Tevis winners Gabriela Blakeley and LLC Pyros Choice (2022), Sanoma Blakeley (2019), Karen Donley (2016), Hal Hall (1974, 1977, 1990), Jeremy Reynolds (2004, 2007, 2011, 2021), and Heather Reynolds (2003, 2014, 2018).

Previous Haggin Cup winners include Hal Hall (1972, 1978, 2002), Heather Reynolds (1999, 2003), Jeremy Reynolds (2004, 2011, 2017), Michele Rowe (2005), Melissa Ribley (2009), Jay Mero and Ozark Kaolena SWA (Lena) (2021), Christoph Schork (2022), and MM Cody the mustang (2018).

Gabriela Blakeley and Heather Reynolds will be going for their 10th Tevis buckle, Robert Ribley will be going for his 20th buckle, and Hal Hall will be riding for his 33rd buckle!

Nine juniors will compete. The mustang Favor the Bold, the mustang MM Woodrow, the Arabian LLC Pyros Choise, and the Arabian cross Lily Creek Kong will be going for their 5th Tevis finish (a Robie Cup); the Arabian Count on Tessie Flyin, and the Arabian One Sun are going for their 6th Tevis Cup. The Tennessee Walker John Henry will be going for his 6th finish, which would be a record for gaited horses. The mustang MM Cody is going for his 8th Tevis finish.

There are riders from 5 foreign countries (Spain, Italy, Mexico, Australia, and Ecuador), and 21 states will compete.

More information on the ride is at:
https://teviscup.org/