Say hello to The Mochila.
Back in the Pony Express days, the mochila was the leather saddlebag passed from rider to rider, horse to horse, mile after mile — carrying news, letters, and the latest word from across the country.
We liked that energy and the connection to the buckle. So we borrowed the name.
This is the Western States Trail Foundation and Tevis Cup newsletter — reimagined, refreshed, and riding hard into your inbox.
Ride Date: August 1st, 2026
Enter the ride on or before Sunday, July 19th to avoid the $100 late fee.
Notes From Our President’s Desk
Our Western States Trail Foundation has activities that run year ‘round – keeping us all busy for sure! Here are some notes from the recent months:
- We are looking to hire a social media expert to help increase our presence on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube – anyone interested?
- We have developed an approach and purchased materials to “redecorate” our Tevis finish area at McCann Stadium to give this area more of a “Tevis Vibe” – you’re going to like it!
- Our Tevis Forum has a new look this year – should be mailed out in the next few days. If you do not receive a Forum and want to be placed on our list, please e-mail me wittenauer.jerry@gmail.com.
- Our Tevis Head Volunteers are starting to recruit their teams for the August 1st ride – all help appreciated – you can sign up at
Thanks to our volunteers, donors, partners, and advocates for your support to the WSTF – you are making a difference!
Jerry Wittenauer
President, Western States Trail Foundation
Ride Director’s Message
This year is a good year to ride the Tevis for many reasons.
If you are a first-time completer at this year’s event, you will receive a traditional Tevis completion buckle complements of a generous Board Member donation. The price of silver has been climbing steadily over time, which has raised the cost of a buckle to nearly $350 per buckle.
And then similarly, courtesy of another Board Member, for this year’s Ride we have five paid entries covered for the first five juniors who have never completed the ride in the past. The junior rider’s Tevis entry must be submitted at the same time as their sponsor’s entry to qualify for the refund of the entry fee.
On another note, the 2026 Tevis will be my “swan song” as the Ride Director. I have dedicated 15 years to directing this amazing event, and it is time for “new blood”. The search for the 2027 Ride Director has been extensive, and I am happy to report that Matt Scribner will take “the reins” for next year. Currently, he is shadowing me and my adventures to prepare for the tasks to come.
As amazing as it may sound this year will commemorate the 70th running of the Western States Trail Ride (Tevis). It’s a landmark year to be on the course, and I encourage all who can to be on the starting line. Happy training, and I look forward to seeing any and all of you–riders, volunteers, crews, Ride Committee teams, sponsors, donors, and spectators at the August 1st event.
Chuck Stalley
2026 Ride Director, Western States Trail Ride
70 YEARS OF HISTORY, GRIT,
AND STEWARDSHIP ON THE WESTERN STATES TRAIL
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.
Trail Work Opportunities!
Your trails team needs capable, able bodied equestrian trail work participants June-September to complete our 2026 trail work. We work in conjunction with WSER and we need more Equestrians to participate in trail work. Current scheduled work dates and sign ups are at www.wser.org/trail-work-opportunities. Additional work dates will be scheduled for some additional work on Cal Street trail prior to this year’s events. Stay tuned.
If you can’t make it to trail work dates, donating funds towards trail maintenance efforts helps and WSTF is a 501(c)(3) so your donations are tax deductible.
2026 Tevis Education Ride
Saturday, June 13 | Chicken Hawk Staging Area
(Above Foresthill, just outside Michigan Bluff)
The WSTF Education Committee is excited to announce that this year’s Tevis Education Ride will be held as a single-day event. With a revamped curriculum in the works, the Committee felt a focused one-day format was the right call for 2026 — ensuring everything runs smoothly before returning to the traditional two-day event in 2027.
Friday, June 12 — Arrival & Vet-In Participants arrive at Chicken Hawk on Friday afternoon and present their mounts to the ride veterinarians, just as they would at any endurance ride. Once vetted in, each rider will be paired with a mentor to help plan the following day’s route.
Saturday, June 13 — Ride Day Riders head out from Chicken Hawk along the Western States Trail, traveling through Deadwood and out to Devil’s Thumb before returning to Deadwood for a mandatory vet-check. This stop is also an opportunity for mentors to walk participants through how to efficiently manage the “gate & go” stops they’ll encounter on the Tevis Trail. After the vet-check, everyone returns to Chicken Hawk via the Western States Trail, where all mounts will receive a final examination — mirroring the completion exam at the end of an endurance ride.
Saturday Evening — BBQ & Q&A Cap the day with a casual BBQ dinner and a Q&A session featuring several multi-time Tevis finishers. Come with questions — these are the people who’ve been there.
Sunday, June 15 — Optional Riding & Departure The event officially wraps up Sunday morning, but participants are welcome to keep exploring. Maps will be provided for those who want to ride out toward Foresthill, or head down to Auburn and ride from the timed finish to the river. Camping at “the north lot” is available for anyone who’d like to stay over Sunday night.
The Tevis Education Ride exists for one reason: to give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to successfully complete the Tevis Cup. Every activity over the weekend is built around that goal.
For more information, visit teviscup.org/trail-to-the-trail/education or reach out to the committee directly at TevisEducation@gmail.com.
First-time finishers receive a free buckle!
Is this your first Tevis? or have you tried in the past but not quite reached the finish line?
Thanks to the kind generosity of Tom Noll and Lynn Marks, you are eligible to receive a free buckle upon completion of the Ride. Just check the box on your entry form.
“The feelings and emotions that arise in your heart as you and your horse ride into McCann stadium for your very first Tevis completion are unforgettable. For many riders, their first Tevis completion becomes a defining moment in their lives. Your first-time Tevis completion becomes woven into the very fabric of your life. We have felt those emotions. To honor your accomplishment, we are sponsoring the cost of your Tevis buckle for your first-time finish.”
Ride On!
Tom Noll and Lynn Marks
The Tevis Trail is calling you AT HOME —are you in?
Registration for the 2026 Tevis Cup Virtual Ride is officially open, and it’s your chance to take on the legendary 100-mile challenge from wherever you are. Complete 100 miles in 100 days on your own schedule, with (or without) your horse, your pace, and your goals leading the way.
Whether you’re building toward a future Tevis start, staying motivated with your current partner, or simply looking for a meaningful goal this season, this ride is for you.
- Ride anywhere
- Track your miles your way
- Be part of a passionate endurance community
- Earn your place in the journey
Every mile supports the preservation of the Western States Trail and the legacy of the Tevis Cup.
Don’t wait—sign up today and start your journey. We offer both equestrian and non-equestrian divisions if you’re logging miles under your own power.
Look for the Tevis Store at Horse Expo – June 4th-7th!
