Tevis Cup – 100 Miles – One Day
The Ultimate Horsemanship Challenge
July 12th, 2025
President’s Message
Another year is upon us, and the Board of Governors for the Western States Trail Foundation is working hard to prepare for the 69th Western States Trail Ride (the Tevis). Preparing for the Tevis involves so many more people than the Board. There are a multitude of individuals who contribute in one manner or another. These contributions range from big to small and from now until the days following the actual ride. These contributions are so appreciated and often done without recognition, but the Board and the riders are very thankful to those who help us with the Tevis.
For those of you who are planning on riding this year, know that all this work is being done to make your ride a success. Preparation includes ride day logistics, educational rides, trail repair, and much more. It is a flurry of activity culminating in Tevis. Riders must also do much work to prepare for Tevis. The work began years ago when those riders learned to ride and learned to be horsemen and horsewomen. They then had to train, condition, and compete their horse for years to get it ready to toe the starting line at Tevis. Or maybe I should say hoof the line.
With all this work, my advice is to make sure you enjoy the ride. Enjoy every inch of the trail, every view the trail provides, and every historical place on the trail that has names like Cougar Rock, or Last Chance or Deadwood. Know that those names have historical relevance of which to will be reminded. Enjoy completing the ride and earning the silver belt buckle. But most of all, enjoy your horse.
Tony Benedetti
President, Western States Trail Foundation
Ride Director’s Message
With the Ride Entry opening tomorrow, be sure to proceed with plans to enter. Our teams are already actively preparing for your Tevis trek.
The rich history of the Tevis Ride is a treasure. Beginning with five riders in Tahoe City in 1955, we have handled the never-ending growth spurts of an equestrian sport for 70 years. This year (2025) marks the 69th anniversary of the Tevis. In 2008 the Ride was cancelled due to forest fires in the Sierra, while Covid-19 forced our cancellation in 2020, which is why we are celebrating 69 years.
Last year riders gathered from 21 of our 50 states to experience the unique challenge that our Sierra Nevada range offers the endurance community. And for many, many years riders have traveled great distances to Tevis. We inventory national flags from the 27 countries represented by riders in the recent past.
This year I have received requests for information from international riders regarding acquisition of travel Visas from their home countries into the US for the purpose of participating (on many levels) in the Western States 100 Mile Trail Ride (Tevis). The WSTF encourages and supports international riders and their crews in this competition. We will be posting an official letter on our website to facilitate international riders in their Visa process to assure their home countries as well as our United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency that the Tevis is an International Event and welcomes participants and visitors.
This should be your year for Tevis. We will offer support where needed. Simply reach out to us and we will do whatever is in our power and control to help you make this dream a reality.
Chuck Stalley
Ride Director, Western States Trail Ride (aka Tevis Cup)
Work on the Trail
WSTF is putting out a call for Equestrians to work on the historic Western States Trail in 2025! We need your help and it’s a fun way to see the trail in great detail on foot and get in shape. Please sign up for a trail work date at HERE on our sister event -the Western States Trail Run (WSER) website.
A few upcoming opportunities to get involved in 2025:
- May 10 – Eldorado & North Fork/Middle Fork Canyons
- June 8 – Duncan Canyon & Red Star Ridge
- June 21-22 – Trail Work Campout Weekend at Robinson Flat
- July 26-27 – Granite Chief Wilderness Re-Route Project* Trail Work with Overnight Campout
- August 16-17 – Granite Chief Wilderness Re-Route Project* Trail Work with Overnight Campout
- September 6-7 – Granite Chief Wilderness Re-Route Project* Trail Work with Overnight Campout
- September 20-21 – Granite Chief Wilderness Re-Route Project* Trail Work with Overnight Campout
* More information on the Granite Chief Wilderness Re-Route Project
Educational Clinic and Training Ride
In 2025, instead of the Tevis Educational Ride, WSTF will be hosting two new events:
Tevis Educational Clinic and Night Ride
Saturday, April 26th.
Cool Hills Ranch, Cool, CA
This clinic is the perfect opportunity for a rider and horse to learn and practice the skills essential for successfully riding the Tevis.
Riders will be instructed about safety, courtesy, and horsemanship appropriate for the Western States 100 Mile Trail Ride, The Tevis Cup.
It will include learning and practice opportunities such as:
- Control of the horse for pacing, passing, preparing
- Challenges to plan for to ride the Tevis trail
- Tack evaluation; tack “on or off” at vet checks
- Weather conditions: what to plan and practice for
- Vet stops with crew; vet stops with volunteers
- Trail: technical footing, drop-offs, surface terrain
- Night riding (including an actual night ride!)
Your ‘classroom’ will be the large, covered arena located at Cool Hills Ranch, owned by Cris Grey. Your instructors will be experienced Tevis riders, led by Erin McChesney, two time Tevis Cup AND Haggin Cup Winner, dressage instructor, endurance coach, USEF-WDAA western dressage judge, and NATRC Leisure Judge.
Riders will end this fun day of learning with a relaxing one hour night ride on the beautiful Olmstead trails.
- Clinic Entry – $140
- Haul-in fee per trailer – $15
- Auditors – $40- Food is included for participants and auditors
- Participants are limited to 30
Tevis Training Ride
Friday – Sunday, June 13th-15th
Chicken Hawk Staging Area, Michigan Bluff, CA
Open to riders who meet the qualifications to enter the Tevis.
The Tevis Training Weekend will be a supported, more relaxed way to pre-ride the hardest 50 miles of the Tevis Trail over two days – from Robinson Flat to Francisco’s.
Vet checks will be operational at key locations and parameters will be the same as planned for the 2025 Tevis. The trail will be marked and supplied with extra water. Stops will be staffed and provisioned with supplemental water, hay, and rider snacks. Trailer shuttles will be provided to move you, your horse and/or your rig along the trail.
The deadline to enter Tevis without a surcharge is after the training ride weekend – make a plan to pre-ride now! Complete details will be coming soon!
Thank You!
A hearty Thank-YOU to everyone that supported our annual year-end fund drive! We send out our WSTF Annual Report each November, highlighting our accomplishments for the year, and appealing for donations to support our Mission. With an annual budget of over $400,000 and activities that go year-round to maintain the trail, provide for rider education weekends, and stage the annual ride, we count on our donors to keep it all going! Our annual reports are available at https://teviscup.org/annual-reports/. Thanks again for helping us preserve this treasure for future generations!
See you at the AERC Convention!
The WSTF Board of Governors will attend this year’s AERC Convention, March 7-8 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, NV. We’ll host an information booth and a panel discussion, along with our traditional Friday night reception. Please ask us your questions – big or small – about the ride. We want to do whatever we can to help make your Tevis dreams come true.
The Tevis Store will also be there, so come ready to shop!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Calling All Vendors:
Vendor registration for the 2025 Tevis Cup will be opening shortly. Please check at Teviscup.org for this year’s registration form.
Volunteers Needed:
