Wendell Robie: The man who started the Tevis Cup Ride

In 1955, Wendell Robie and four fellow horsemen set out to prove that horses could cover 100 miles in a single day. There was considerable debate over whether contemporary horses could traverse the challenging 100-mile mountain trail once used by Native Americans for gathering and trading across the Sierra Nevada, as well as by gold miners, express riders and settlers in the mid-1800s. It is said that when some doubted its feasibility, Robie responded, "My god, I'll show you it can be done."

On August 7th, 1955, Robie and four other riders departed from the Post Office in Tahoe City at 4:00 am. They reached Auburn, 100 miles along the trail, 22 hours and 45 minutes later, demonstrating the journey's feasibility while transporting a ceremonial mail pouch.

This marked the start of a 70-year tradition where horses and riders would cover the same 100 miles within 24 hours.