Tahoe Quarterly

Horseback Riding in Truckee

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Athlete: Phyllis Keller
Spot: Truckee

I was horse-bit at an early age; I really can't imagine it any other way. My advice to parents who have little girls or boys with this affliction: Just give up; there is no cure!

Riding trails of all types and ability levels around Truckee are numerous, although I do have favorites that I love to explore time and again. The Euer Valley, though private, is open to riding and horse camping for a small fee and gives you access to miles of trails that lead to Castle Peak, Warren Lake, Summit Lake and the Pacific Crest Trail, to name a few.

My sport of endurance riding has taken me places I never would have experienced any other way. The Sierra is incredible and has become my playground. Being an endurance rider, my ultimate goal is to complete the Tevis Cup, which starts near Truckee and travels 100 miles in one day over the Sierra, along the Western States Trail, to the city of Auburn.

"Why?" you might ask. Well, I'm not quite sure, but as with any crazy notion, because it's there of course! The experience, after all, is about looking through the ears!

Stats: Phyllis Keller lives in Truckee and is the vice president of Truckee Donner Horsemen. She competed in the Western States Trail Ride (aka Tevis Cup) in 2005, though pulled out because she suspected her horse, an Arabian named Aireus, was injured. She and Aireus were planning to compete a second time in July, but the ride was canceled.

Originally published in TQ Best of Tahoe 2008