Limited to 50 Riders Each Day
AERC Sanctioned 50 & 25 Mile Ride
6th Annual Tonto Twist 50 - Saturday, January 14, 2023
Tonto Twist - 25 Sunday, January 15, 2023
Ride Manager: Lancette Koerner, 480-650-3124 Email:TontoTwist50@gmail.com
Assistant Manager: Ellen Hickey & Ashley Wingert
Control Judges: Bradley Scott Houser DVM, Mark Anderson DVM, Victoria Olsen DVM
Thank you for your interest in the 6th annual Tonto Twist 50 and, new this year, a 25 mile ride on Sunday. All proceeds from the rides will be donated to the Arizona Endurance Riders Club and the AJ Mounted Rangers, both are Non-Profit 501 (c)(3) organizations. If you would like to further assist us in donating to these great organizations by sponsoring a ride award please contact Lancette Koerner. Available award sponsorship: First Place, Best Condition, 1st Junior, Top 10 & Turtle for both distances. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you.
Base Camp Location and address: Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds @ 1590 E Lost Dutchman Blvd Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Base Camp will open at 8am Friday January 13th, 2023. However, if long distance travel requires a Thursday arrival please contact Lancette for special arrangements. Due to our lease and insurance agreements, overnight camping with horses is for registered riders and official ride volunteers.
The rodeo park is large and easily accessible. The entrance gate will be marked with ribbons and a sign. We are permitted to camp on the East side of the grounds. Water is available in camp but it may be more convenient for you to bring your own. There are flush toilets on site but no showers or RV hook-ups. To ensure future use of this site it is imperative that the rodeo ground rules are followed. Glass bottles are prohibited. Dogs must be on a leash or contained at all times. All manure, hay, shavings and trash must be deposited at the designated locations.
About the Trails: The routes of the Tonto Twist will take you through the beautiful Goldfield Mountains, Tonto National Forest, Usery Park and A.J. City Equestrian park trails. We are fortunate to have this amazing area to ride in and are excited to share it with you. The trails are multi-use, you may encounter hikers, bikers, off road vehicles, other equestrians, wildlife etc. You will travel on a variety of footings, some rocky stretches, some hard packed forest roads & stretches of deep sand. The majority of the trail is nice footing. The course is moderate to difficult; bring a fit horse. Hoof protection is required. There are several horse step overs and paved road crossings. The A.J. Mounted Rangers will be at the road crossings to assist you. There will be 3 loops for the 50. The Bulldog loop (1) has about 2400 feet of elevation gain and is approximately 30 miles long with a 1 hour hold at base camp. We will provide some hay and horse water at strategic spots along the trail but please be prepared to manage your horse and yourself for a long 1st loop. The Goldfield loop (2) is approximately 14 miles with a pulse down and trot-by in hand at base camp. Once cleared, you will go on to the Prospector Park loop (3) which is approximately 6 miles of mostly flat trail with good footing.
There will be two loops for the 25. The Usery Park Loop (1) which is approximately 17 miles followed by a 30 minute hold at base camp. Loop 2 is the Prospector Park loop.
Trail Navigation:
Conventional: The trail will be marked with ribbon on clothespins. For the 50 mile ride, loop 1 = pink, loop 2 = orange/white striped, loop 3 = fluorescent green, some signs and field chalk. For the 25 mile ride on Sunday, loop 1 = pink, loop 2 = fluorescent green. If you would like printed maps of each loop please print them at home from the PDF file sent in your electronic ride packet.
Ride With GPS will be available to navigate the course. Many riders are now very familiar with the app as this is our 6th year to offer it. For those who are new to the app, we encourage you to use it. Ride With GPS can provide you with navigational confidence for a more enjoyable ride. Please familiarize yourself with Ride With GPS before the ride by downloading the free version of the APP and recording your conditioning rides at home. You will receive the RWGPS event link and instructions in the electronic ride packet after you have signed up for the ride. The routes of the Tonto Twist are on public land, and open to pre-ride.
Ride Entry: The rides are limited to 50 riders each day. The entry must be received by 5 pm Monday, January 9th to be entered into the ride. You may print the Mail In Entry form and drop it in the mail or you may choose the Electronic Entry form for an additional $10.00 convenience fee. If you send your entry electronically you will sign the Tonto Twist Liability Release at check in. Entries received after the ride limit has been reached will be put on a wait list. Riders will be notified of their position on the list. Checks received will be deposited a week before the ride.
Tonto Twist Mail in Ride Entry 2023 Tonto Twist Electronic Ride Entry 2023
Refund/Cancellation Policy: Ride entry cancellations received on or before 5 pm Monday, January 9th, 2023 and horses pulled at check-in will receive a refund less a $25 administration fee. No refunds for cancellations after 5 pm January 9th, 2023.
Vet In & Rider Check-in: Pick up of the vet card will serve as rider check in. Vetting is from 2:00 to 5:00 on Friday for Saturday’s 50 mile ride. Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 for the 25 mile ride. Please be patient, the vets will have 50 mile finishers to attend to as well. Sunday morning vetting is available on a limited basis by pre-arrangement only. Contact Lancette to check availability.
Ride Packet: The ride packet will be sent via email. It will include PDF maps and cue sheets for each of the 3 loops for the 50 mile ride and 2 loops for the 25. It will also include information about using Ride With GPS to navigate the course. If you are unable to receive email or print ride maps, please contact Lancette by 5 pm Wednesday January 11th so a printed packet can be prepared for you to pick up.
Ride & Safety Meeting: Friday (for the 50 mile riders) and Saturday (for the 25 mile riders) night at 5:15. All riders are expected to attend their ride meeting. The ride veterinarians will discuss ride parameters and any other ride updates will be shared.
Friday Potluck: We will have our traditional potluck on Friday night immediately following the ride meeting. Ride management will provide dessert, paper goods, utensils, water & soda. You may sign up to contribute to the meal at Potluck Sign Up or text Ellen Hickey at 602-684-0750. Electrical outlets are available for crock-pots. Please bring serving utensils for your dish. The Tonto Twist potluck is epic, with a wide variety of delicious dishes and plenty of food for all. Let’s do it again!
Saturday & Sunday Lunch: Ride management will provide a sandwich, chips, a sweet and a drink to riders on ride days. There is a nominal charge for crew member lunches. Lunch will be available for pick up at the concession stand.
Saturday Dinner: We will have an awards and volunteer appreciation dinner at base camp. Dinner will start at 6:30 pm, with the awards presentation at 7:00. We encourage you to attend to help celebrate a great day on the trail with amazing horses, good friends and to show your appreciation to our dedicated volunteers. Once again, we will be serving Indian fry bread tacos. A meal that can be enjoyed by meat lovers as well as vegetarians (no lard beans). The cost is $12.00 per person.
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Completion Awards: If you would like to receive a ride shirt as your completion award we must have your entry form and payment by 5 pm Thursday, December 15th, 2022. Due to the holidays, this is the amount of time required to receive shirts of proper size and color. We know you love your ride shirts, and this is the only way we can afford to offer them. If you are unable to get your entry to us by December 15th, you will receive a yet to be determined completion award.
Awards
50 Mile Ride: 1st Place, Best Condition, Top 10, 1st Junior, Mid-Pack, Turtle and First 50 awards will be given at the awards dinner on Saturday night.
25 Miles Ride: 1st Place, Best Condition, Top 10, 1st Junior, Mid-Pack, Turtle and first 25 will be given at the awards on Sunday afternoon.
AZERC 25 Mile Team Challenge Award: All registered AZERC Teams will be recognized at the awards presentation. The AZERC Team with the highest combined vet score will receive an award. The team must do a BC style showing for the vet to be considered for the award. Ride completion time, placement or weight will NOT be factored into the calculation for the award. You must be registered for the AZERC Team Challenge before the ride to qualify for the Team Award. Go to AZERC.org to sign up.
Tonto Twist 2023
Attention Updated Schedule of Events
Friday, January 13, 2023
8:00 am Base Camp Opens
1:00 to 5:00 Rider Check-in and Horse Vet In 50 & 25 mile riders
5:15 - Ride Meeting 50 & 25 mile riders. Note - If you are unable to attend please contact Lancette with any questions.
5:30 - Potluck in front of the concession stand.
Saturday, January 14, 2023
6:45 am - 50 Mile Riders check-in near East Gate. If your start is delayed for any reason please let management know. Sending a text is fine, 480-650-3124
7:00 am - 50 mile ride start
6:30 pm - 50 Mile Awards & Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
7:30 pm(ish) - 50 Mile Awards Presentation
Any 25 mile horses not vetted in on Friday will be vetted between 50 mile riders on Saturday as time allows. Please be patient. (Right after the 50’s leave is a good time.)
Sunday, January 15, 2023
8:15 am - 25 mile riders check-in near East Gate
8:30 am - 25 mile ride start
3:30 pm ish - 25 Mile Awards Presentation
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