70 Years of History, Grit, and Stewardship on the Western States Trail
By Ute Frey
In 2026, the Tevis Cup 100-Mile Ride celebrates 70 years of extreme equestrian accomplishment—a milestone that honors not only a legendary ride, but the ancient trail beneath it and the community that has protected it for generations.
Known worldwide as “the granddaddy of all rides,” the Tevis Cup is the original modern endurance ride:
One rider, one horse, 100 miles, in one day.
From snow-dusted mountain passes near Lake Tahoe to the sun-scorched canyons of the American River and the finish line in Auburn, California, Tevis is a true point-to-point crossing of the Sierra Nevada. Every mile moves horse and rider westward across a historic trans-Sierra route.
This iconic ride gave birth to modern equine endurance sports and inspired the creation of 100-mile ultramarathons, beginning with the first Western States Endurance Run in 1974. For seven decades, Tevis has stood as the ultimate test of equine partnership, preparation, and perseverance.
The 70th ride will take place in 2026, following cancellations in 2008 (wildfire) and 2020 (COVID-19).
A Trail Thousands of Years in the Making
Long before it sported the Tevis Cup, the Western States Trail began as a hunting ground and a trade route for the Native Washoe and Nisenan peoples. Their families spent summers around Lake Tahoe fishing and gathering food. The trail later became a vital passage for explorers and pioneers and ultimately presented the most direct—though rugged—route into California’s gold and silver fields, sparking the largest voluntary migration in US history.
From Carson City, Nevada, the route makes its way to the Middle Fork of the American River by way of Lake Tahoe and Granite Chief Wilderness and the historic Gold Rush towns of Last Chance, Deadwood, and Auburn, where the Tevis ride finishes. The route originally extended all the way to Fort Sutter near Sacramento.
Robert Montgomery Watson, born in 1854 and known as “the Trailblazer,” re-discovered the 1850s Placer County Emigrant Road we call the Western States Trail today. His devotion to the trail made it possible for future generations to enjoy it. Today, riders pass the Watson Monument at 8,720 feet—watching the sun rise over Lake Tahoe before descending into the wilderness beyond.
The Ride That Launched a Sport
In 1955, Wendell Robie of Auburn, California, led a group of riders along the trail from Tahoe City to Auburn to show that it was possible to complete the distance in one day.
Photographed by Harry Johnson, Hal V. Hall Collection
The winner of the Tevis Cup is the rider who finishes the 100-mile course first on a horse that is deemed “fit to continue”. The first ten riders to finish the ride successfully are invited to present their horses for best condition before the Veterinary Committee and the WSTF Cup Committee on Sunday morning after the ride. The winning equine is awarded the James Ben Ali Haggin Cup, or Haggin Cup. The late veterinarian Richard Barsaleau—a lifelong advocate for the horse—is credited with developing the criteria for the Haggin Cup, which are still in use today.
The Tevis Cup is recognized by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) as the foundational ride in modern endurance riding. But its influence extends far beyond equestrian sport.
Not only has endurance riding flourished internationally, with competitions in more than 70 countries, the Tevis Cup has also inspired the Western States Endurance Run, the oldest 100-mile trail run in North America, that began in 1974, when the first runners shared the trail with the horses. Today ultra-marathons around the world trace their roots to this course to the Western States Trail.
This singular ride created an entire movement of endurance athletics—for horses and humans alike.
The Ultimate Endurance Challenge
Tevis is widely regarded as the toughest endurance ride in the world.
The course includes:
- About 17,000 feet of climbing
- About 22,000 feet of descent
- Technical mountain terrain
- Snow in the morning
- Triple-digit heat in the river canyons in the afternoon
- Darkness illuminated only by moonlight and headlamps
Horse and rider navigate rugged peaks, rocky switchbacks, and deep canyons within 24 hours—while passing rigorous veterinary checks to ensure the horse’s welfare every step of the way.
Since 1955, about 11,500 riders have entered and more than 6,070 have finished. The completion rate remains just under 53%.
More people have summited Mount Everest than have completed the Tevis Cup.
Only those who finish earn the coveted Tevis buckle—a symbol recognized worldwide as proof of extraordinary achievement.
Each year, thousands of fans from around the globe follow the Tevis livecast, cheering on riders and horses as they attempt what few can accomplish.
A Community of Stewards – Volunteers Welcome!
The Tevis Cup is organized by the Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF), whose mission reaches far beyond race day. The Foundation preserves and protects the Western States Trail and its rich history.
WSTF volunteers continue to improve and even reroute trail sections to reduce erosion and protect wilderness areas, acquire key properties to secure future access, and partner with public agencies to upgrade trailheads and staging areas.
Recent and upcoming projects include:
- Granite Chief Wilderness reroute (miles 15–22), moving the trail to a more sustainable ridgeline in collaboration with the Western States Endurance Run and the U.S. Forest Service
- Purchase of Wendell Robie Equestrian Park in 2025, securing the iconic starting point near Truckee
- Improvements to the Auburn Overlook Staging Area and Chicken Hawk trailhead in collaboration with the Auburn State Recreation Area
A new Western States Trail Museum will bring the trail between Carson City, Nevada, and Sacramento, California to life for generations to come. The museum organization is looking for volunteers to assist with making the necessary tenant improvement to open the door in 2026. For more information on the status of the WS Trail Museum go to: http://www.wstrailmuseum.org.
Putting the Horse First
At the heart of Tevis is a deep commitment to the welfare of the horse. Veterinarians check to ensure each horse is fit to continue down the trail – or be withdrawn – roughly every ten miles, including at the finish in Auburn.
WSTF partners with veterinarians and sponsors research—most notably at UC Davis—to advance knowledge in:
- Equine sports medicine and rehabilitation
- Pain management
- Nutrition
- Diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans)
- Hydration and electrolyte balance
- Early detection of fatigue and illness
Past studies have included dehydration, electrolyte/fluid balance, and the use of ultrasound to detect early symptoms of fatigue or illness. Read about completed studies.
Join the Legacy
Tevis exists because of those who care enough to support it.
Whether you give your time, your expertise, or your financial support, you are helping to:
- Preserve a historic trail
- Protect the welfare of horses
- Keep alive one of the world’s greatest endurance challenges
- Inspire future riders, runners, and trail lovers
We invite you to join the Tevis legacy and be part of what comes next.
Veterinarian and WSTF Vice President (and 2024 Tevis Cup winner) Jay Mero and Ride Director Chuck Stalley.
Photo credit: Merri Melde
Reyna Mero (2024 Haggin Cup winner) and Ride Director Chuck Stalley.
Photo credit: Merri Melde