Education Ride

Tevis Education Ride
Saturday, June 13th
Chicken Hawk Staging Area, Michigan Bluff, CA
Cost: $150

The 2026 Education Ride will be a one-day ride on Saturday, June 13th. We will start from the Chicken Hawk campground/staging area near Michigan Bluff, CA.

The 2026 Education Ride has several changes from past years.  This year we are doing a single day ride.  WHY?  We are revamping the program and didn’t want to overwhelm the committee, or our volunteers, with trying to do too much with the short planning cycle we have.

The Education Ride is designed and intended to give potential Tevis Cup participants additional skills and knowledge necessary for future participation, and hopefully successful completion in the Tevis Cup.  While we would like anyone with an interest in the Western States Trail to be able to experience it, we have set participation standards for the Education Ride fairly high in order maintain a safe event for all.  We appreciate your understanding.

Participants will camp at the Chicken Hawk staging area and ride out from Chicken Hawk along the Western States Trail, to Devil’s Thumb and then return.  There will be one vet check along the route.  The check will be at the Deadwood well pump during the rider’s return through the area.  By doing an “out and back” ride the participants do not need to move their rigs or find a driver, and WSTF does not need to over burden its volunteer cadre.

Participants will travel in groups of 3-4, including a mentor.  Participants that have previously completed the Tevis Cup may be allowed to travel the course without a mentor.  Participants should reach out to the WSTF Education Committee prior to ride weekend to inquire about this option. There will be a safety/drag rider following the group throughout the event.

A simple post-ride meal will be provided to participants on Saturday night after the ride.  Participants will need to pack a crew bag with any food/snacks that they may want at the vet check.  There will be a Q&A panel during/after the dinner with experienced Tevis riders, volunteers, vets, and crews ready to answer all of your questions. 

Participants that want to experience more of the Tevis Trail can ride out to Foresthill on their own, before or after the event.  Maps will be provided.  Participants can also trailer down to Auburn to the Tevis timed finish and camp in the “North Lot” and ride out to the river and back.  These two options will NOT be supported with veterinary care, water, drag riders, etc.   

No stallions.  No mares in foal.  No lactating mares.  Hoof protection of some form is required.  Safety is of the utmost importance.  If your equine is prone to kicking, please keep a red ribbon in its tail.  That being said, many equines do not like to be crowded, especially by strangers.  Riders are responsible for maintaining safe space between equines

The USFS requires that only certified weed free feed be used on their lands.  Several feed companies make pelleted feed that is certified weed free (Stablemix, etc.), and some make compressed hay bales that are also certified weed free (Tractor Supply carries this).  Participants are cautioned not to feed hay that is not certified weed free.  The USFS will be onsite during the event.  USFS can inspect and require proof of the weed free certification.  If the feed is deemed not weed free, WSTF can be cited by USFS and our permit canceled for the Education Ride and future events.  If participants have trouble locating weed free feed, please contact the WSTF Education Committee for assistance. 

Equine Fitness Requirement: Between December 1, 2025 and June 7th, 2026 your equine must complete one ride of 50 miles or more that is sanctioned by AERC or a similar sanctioning organization. This is to protect your equine. We are riding on remote trails, with significant climbs, and limited access. Just like the actual Tevis Ride, during the vet check equines will be monitored carefully. Before you even start, make sure your equine partner is up for the task.

Rider Fitness: For safety reasons, riders should be fit enough to hike downhill and mount their equine without assistance. You also need to be confident that you can ride 20-30 miles without issues. Riders must also meet the 50 mile ride fitness requirement that the equines have, but they do not have to be completed together as a team.

Cleaning Deposit: The United States Forest Service requires equestrian campers to clean up their camp sites to USFS standards. This means not just scooping manure, but also raking up old hay and feed.   All riders will be required to pay a $40 cleaning deposit upon arriving at camp.  This will be refunded at the end of the event before you leave.  We will accept cash or checks.  If you pay in cash, you will receive a cash refund.  If you pay by check, we will return your check to you.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be sent via email by the participant.  A full refund, less PayPal fees, will be issued for any cancellation received by May 30th, 2026.  Cancellations made between May 31st and June 6th will receive a full refund, minus PayPal fees and a $50.00 admin. fee.  Cancellations received after June 6th will not receive a refund.  In the event an equine does not pass the initial Vet in, the participant will receive a full refund minus the PayPal fees and a $50.00 admin. fee.  No refunds for “no shows.”

All participants will be required to sign a release of liability during check-in at the ride.

Please direct any questions to the WSTF Education Committee at TevisEducation@gmail.com