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NASTR
By Connie Creech
The Nevada All-State Trail Riders, Inc.
was organized in April 1968, for the purpose of preserving historic trails
in Nevada by sponsoring and promoting horseback riding on these trails.
NASTR was approved by the IRS as a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation in 1997.
NASTR organizes three endurance rides a year known as the NASTR Triple Crown.
The Nevada Derby 25/50 held in April in Palomino Valley, Nevada, established 1972. The
NASTR 30/50/75 held in June in
Dayton, Nevada, established 1985. The Virginia City 100 held in September in Virginia City, Nevada, established in 1968.
NASTR is active in trail preservation for equestrian use in Northern Nevada and
Northern California. NASTR has representation on the Nevada State Ad-Hoc
Recreation Trails Committee and participates in Nevada state trails
planning. NASTR also works with multiple governmental agencies and private
land owners in keeping access open to multi-use recreational trails.
NASTR’s
volunteer work includes trail building and maintenance on public land.
Cooperative work projects and partnerships have been established with the
following governmental agencies:
- US Forest Service – cooperative agreement for trail maintenance
- Bureau of Land Management – multiple trail projects and agreements
- Washoe Lake State Park - trail building and multiple trail projects and maintenance
- Washoe County Parks – Jones/Whites Creek Trail maintenance
- Lyon County – Dayton Rodeo Grounds
- Carson City – Fuji Park, Silver Saddle Ranch, Lakeview Trailhead and trails planning
- Fort Churchill State Park - Carson Rivers Ranches trail building and multiple trail projects
NASTR’s fund raising activities include the annual endurance rides and a Trail Trials event.
Raffles and donations also raise money for trail preservation.
NASTR holds membership and also provides support for trail building, maintenance
and preservation with the following Organizations:
- Carson Valley Trails Association
- Tahoe Rim Trail Association
- Truckee Meadows Trails Association
- Western States Trail Foundation
- El Dorado Equestrian Trail Foundation
- Back Country Horsemen of America
- American Endurance Ride Conference
- Equestrian Land Conservation
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30 Years Later
By Cliff Lewis (This article was written for
NASTR's 30th Anniversary of the Virginia City 100 held September 20, 1997)
It's hard to believe that thirty years have gone by since Dean Hubbard
and I had this idea for an endurance ride in Nevada. Perhaps most new riders
don't know the history of the club, but the history is important and has
much influence on the club today.
NASTR was started and developed to promote the 100 mile ride. Later,
by-laws and articles of incorporation were added. Today many issues
challenge the club.
The original idea was to raise money all year for the VC 100. By keeping
costs low, upgrading the quality of food, buckles and awards, we could have
the largest attended 100-mile ride. In the '70's this ride was considered
one of the "easiest" 100's, yet it covered a more difficult trail than
today.
Endurance riding has changed in 30 years. 100 mile rides were the
ultimate. 50 mile rides were "those little 50's" and were used for training
purposes. The inscription on the first Derby Ditch completion awards read
"spring warm up ride". 30 years ago we rode in jeans, boots and cowboy hats.
It was not uncommon for the local Nevada riders to ride from Reno to Tahoe
City the day before the ride, and then ride Tevis the next day. The riders
did not carry water, they drank from natural sources with tin cups tied with
strings to dip into the streams without getting off their horses.
The optimum word for these riders is tough. There is no better
word to describe Nick Mansfield, Pat and Donna Fitzgerald, Louie Henderson
and Abe Nance. Nevada and NASTR are to be proud these riders are in their
midst. |
