Jim Steere DVM, Cathy Rohm and the Tevis Cup

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."
– Marcel Proust

This year’s Tevis Cup is scheduled on July 20. For those of you who are interested, go to www.Tevis Cup.org to follow this year’s race. Some of you may remember Jim Steere, DVM. Dr. Steere first started his Tevis endurance ride in 1967. Although his horse was lame, for the rest of the race, he helped out by being a drag rider. The next year, 1968. Jim completed his first Tevis and 37 years later in 2005 at the young age of 80, he became the oldest rider to ever complete this historic event.

The next few paragraphs were taken from “It Has Nothing To  Do With Age.” These paragraphs describe, in part, Jim’s first endurance ride. “Jim’s father decided that Jim should return to Los Angeles to finish junior high school. Jim asked his parents if they would allow him to ride lady from the ranch to his mother’s home in the Hollywood Hills, 90 miles away. They both said yes, and Jim spent weeks planning the route. He needed to make sure Lady had new shoes, the  tack  was in good shape, and that both he and  Lady had enough food for this long adventure. He also packed the sleeping bag and cooking utensils. His parents instructed him to call his mother in Los Angeles, whenever he found a phone along the way. This was going to be a three- day horseback trek-his first three day endurance ride.

 

By day one, Jim and Lady reached the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains just short of Soledad Pass. On day two, they rode through Soledad Canyon past the little towns of Saugus and Newhall. The duo then reach the San Fernando Pass followed by the town of San Fernando . Eventually, Jim arrived at the Porter Ranch, where the Porter family was expecting him. Lady spent the night in a box stall bedded with straw while Jim gratefully ate a home-cooked meal of meat, potatoes and milk.

Day three found Jim back on the trail with  Lady, and by 8 o’clock in the morning, they headed toward the Hollywood Hills. They traveled through the towns of Pacoima and Sun Valley. In Burbank, he crossed the Los Angeles River on his way to Griffith Park. Then it was a climb up 1800 feet to the top of Mount Hollywood, and down to the planetarium to his home, a half a mile away. When he arrived at his mom’s house, his dad greeted him with, “good ride, son, welcome home.” Thomas shook Jim’s hand, gave him a hug and said, son. I am proud of you.”

For additional information about this renaissance man,   athlete extraordinaire, and my friend, I refer you to chapter 7

Tomorrow’s television talk show will feature Cathy Rohm. This special lady was the winner in the 2005 race. Be sure to catch her story.

Until then, don’t forget to keep moving, laughing, smiling and deep breathing.