Tevis Cup 2025
I can’t tell you exactly how I got interested in endurance riding. I just knew the constraints of an arena weren’t for me, and I loved trail riding — the freeness of it, the feeling of not only having, but needing a solid partnership with a good horse. And that feeling of returning from a ride after traveling through gorgeous scenery and sometimes scaling questionable terrain and elements — it’s fulfilling to me in ways other disciplines just couldn’t provide.
I knew of endurance riding but never really gave it a second thought — until one day I did. I became obsessed. I joined endurance groups, did my research, and reached out to others involved in the sport. After retiring my heart horse and longing for the trails again, I reached out once more to the endurance community, and a couple of very generous people invited me to ride their own endurance horses in mock rides and conditioning rides.
I soon fell in love with the Arabian breed. Having always been a Quarter Horse girl, it felt a bit foreign — even traitorous — at first. Ha! But there was something about these gritty little horses I just couldn’t stay away from. Their curiosity, intelligence, and ability to cover ground were unlike anything I’d ever experienced. And after buying my own Arabian, I can now say their loyalty and partnership are second to none.
Becoming a Tevis Cup Photographer
So how did I become an official photographer for the most prestigious endurance ride in the world? Some may call it obsession — I like to call it passion. I’d known about the Tevis Cup, of course, but only after becoming involved in the endurance world did I start to think seriously about it. I reached out to the Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF), introduced myself, and asked if there might be a way to get involved as a photographer. They directed me to Bill Gore, the head photographer.
Bill has been photographing Tevis for years, holding key positions like the famous Cougar Rock and the finish line. He told me he’d reach out if an opening became available. In January, I received the email — one of the photographers had retired, and Red Star Ridge/Elephant’s Trunk would be available. Perfect! I’ll take it! I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
The Tevis Cup is prestigious for a reason — it’s dangerous. A one-day, 100-mile endurance ride from Tahoe to Auburn through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, held in the middle of summer. It takes place during a full moon so riders can see their way during the night portion of the ride. Horses and riders endure extreme temperatures, wildlife encounters, and rugged, remote terrain. And not only do the horses and riders have to endure it all — the volunteers and staff do as well.
This was the journey of a lifetime, told through my own words and personal and professional photos.
The line of planes waiting to fly out from Chicago. And the “we’re not in the Midwest anymore” realization
Auburn-The Endurance Capital of the World-it was HOT, pushing over 100 degrees the entire time
The drive up to Robie Park for check-ins and orientation-and Auburn showing its endurance pride!
Robie Park
The day before Tevis, horses, riders, crew, volunteers, and staff make their way up to Robie Park for check-in and vetting. This is where the riders will camp out for the night, and where riders will leave from the Tevis start line in pitch dark the next morning. It was an adventure just making it here. The energy is scattered. Some seemed nervous, others relaxed. All were anxious and excited for the day ahead. I met up with the head photographer, received my “Tevis Photog” vest, and took a few photos before we drove down the mountain to visit Lake Tahoe and drove back to Auburn to rest up for the next day.
This was the first year live streaming was available at Tevis. Using satellites due to the remote locations.
Riders getting in a last minute condition and the scenery driving to Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe and Robie Park scenery
Tevis Morning
Before the sun even rises, hundreds of crew members, veterinarians, emergency personnel, media, and photographers are already heading to their assigned positions along the trail. Some of them camped in their vehicles overnight. The race starts at 5:15am and riders have until that time the next morning to cross the finish line, 100 miles away.
My location — Elephant’s Trunk — sits on one of the steeper, more remote sections of the course. From Auburn, our route took us through Foresthill, where cell service vanished and fire roads became the new normal. Out there, survival instincts take center stage.
The road from Foresthill to Red Star Ridge is not for the faint of heart — a narrow mountain pass with no guardrails, carved into the edge of (you guessed it) a literal mountain. At one point, we sat for nearly half an hour as only one vehicle could pass at a time. In other stretches, we had to inch over to the side, our tires balancing on the very edge of the mountain.
I’d expected snakes and maybe a bear or two — but honestly, this drive was the most terrifying part of the trip. I couldn’t bring myself to look down most of the way, which meant hardly any photos of the climb. If you want to imagine it, just Google “mountain fire road” and pick the narrowest one you see. Ha!
After an hour of crawling up the rocky, twisting road (which I hesitate to even call a “road”), we finally arrived at Red Star Ridge. Just before reaching it, I spotted a bear cub crossing the trail — a not-so-subtle reminder that we weren’t in the Midwest anymore. This was real, raw, and wild country.
Because of the traffic delay, we were running behind schedule and had to power-walk two miles deeper into the mountains to reach our position at Elephant’s Trunk. The trail shot upward immediately, the altitude hitting hard, and for a moment I questioned what I was doing there. But there was no turning back.
If I didn’t make it in time, I’d have to stop wherever I was and photograph the riders from there — but I was determined to reach my assigned spot, the one I’d been dreaming about for months. Somehow, fueled by adrenaline (and maybe a bit of stubbornness), I pushed up the mountain with all my camera gear.
We arrived just minutes before the first riders came into view. I quickly found a position on the steep mountainside where I wouldn’t lose footing when Lucy pointed out a cloud of dust in the distance, it was a ways away but they were moving fast and they would be here in no time. The Tevis horses and riders were coming.
Making our way to Foresthill and where the fire road begins
Once I got up the incline and the trail evened out, I couldn’t stop smiling. I really was doing this. And this was the view on my way to my position.
Mom leading the way-The view from Elephants Trunk
Finding the best spot where I wouldn’t lose my footing. Just waiting for those first riders!
Views from my position and the dust cloud of horses and riders in the distance.
The horses are coming! I may have teared up a bit seeing this.
The winner of Tevis-Heather Reynolds on Sonic
2nd place finisher-Jeremy Reynolds on Treasured Moments
Elephants Trunk is still early in the race so groups are fairly close together. As the race goes on, more and more riders and horses get pulled, or drop out, leaving riders going solo into the night.
John Perry on A Real Diva won the coveted Haggin Cup-The Haggin Cup is awarded to the rider whose horse is in the “most superior physical condition” of the first ten horses to cross the finish line
Lucy-my life saver. I never would have made it to my position if not for her!
Tamara Baysinger of “The Sweaty Equestrian”
All breeds and any attire goes in endurance. Most people opt for lightweight tack, and comfortable clothing as endurance rides can be 50-100 miles!
Most riders were so friendly! Some waving to us, others focused on the narrow, steep trail ahead of them.
Who’s the photographer here?!
Enjoy the scenery, or just don’t look-your choice!
Down Elephants Trunk and onto Red Star Ridge
As we were halfway back to Red Star Ridge, the last rider came up behind us, asking how far it was to the next checkpoint. I believe he was pulled or dropped out there.
As with any equestrian sport, disappointment is normal. You go into Tevis with the hope you’ll make it to the finish line, but the reality is, a majority don’t. Horse health is of utmost importance and any sign of stress on the horse, they are pulled.
Heading down the mountain and the aftermath of the rental vehicle. This is why riders wear face coverings. The dust on the trail!
After descending the mountain, we headed to Auburn where we had a few hours to shower off and grab dinner before heading over to the fairgrounds where the finishers would arrive. The official finish line is just above the arena. Once crossed, riders ride into the arena and do a victory lap where the coveted “finish line photo” is taken. Husband and wife, Jeremy and Heather Reynolds crossed the finish line together, the win ultimately going to Heather since there cannot be a tie. They arrived “early” in the night between 10pm-11pm. The remaining finishers trickled in through the late night and early morning hours the next day. Tevis riders have 24 hours to finish the race.
Congratulations Heather and Jeremy!
I’m so glad I did this…
Elephants Trunk is not a place you stumble upon.
It’s earned.
Mile by mile, it’s a ledge above the world, where the trail narrows, and the silence deepens.
I stood there with my camera, a quiet witness to something so fierce and beautiful. Riders appeared like visions-dust streaked, eyes forward. Their horses carried them with an ancient strength, moving through the heat, the altitude, the exhaustion.
Rider after rider passed through, carving their stories into the trails. As the last rider passed, it seemed as if the mountain exhaled. I began my descent and as I walked, I saw this. Forests folding endlessly into each other, like waves of memory, the high peaks still crowned with snow.
The quiet was not empty. It felt sacred. The kind of silence that only comes after something immense has passed through.
Robie Park