The ride is held in Placer County, California, starting at 5:15 a.m. at Robie Equestrian Park near the town of Truckee, CA, across the crest of the Sierra Nevada, and ending at 5:15 a.m. at the fairgrounds in Auburn, CA. There are mandatory 60-minute rest stops and veterinarian checks at Robinson Flat (30 milepost) and Foresthill (70 milepost).
Each rider who completes the 100-mile course within the 24-hour limit and whose mount is judged "fit to continue" is awarded a silver Completion Award Buckle. The ride is sanctioned by AERC, the American Endurance Ride Conference.
The 52nd annual ride was held Saturday, August 5, 2006; the date was selected to take advantage of the full moonlight. 194 riders departed Robie Park, and 87 riders completed the 100-ride to Auburn, so the completion rate was about 45%. The 2006 Tevis Cup winner (first-place finisher at 10:23 PM) was John Crandell of Virginia, who rode an 8-year old Arabian gelding named "Heraldic." The next morning, a team of veterinarians judged the top ten horses for condition, and Heraldic also won the coveted Haggin Cup for "best condition," thus achieving a rare double-trophy status.
The 53rd annual ride occurred Saturday, July 28, 2007. There were 184 starting horses, but only 95 horses completed the ride. The 2007 Tevis Cup was won by Jeremy Reynolds, and the 2007 Haggin Cup was won by John Crandell. SEE RESULTS OF 2007 WESTERN STATES TRAIL RIDE
The record number of belt buckles is 28.
