2026 Tevis Volunteer Signup

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Tevis Cup Ride. About 800 people participate each year on Ride Day – more than four per rider!

Please Note:

As you might imagine, the Ride is a huge effort that relies completely on volunteers. There are Head Volunteers who provide the leadership for each of the many vet checks, as well as other areas of Ride activity. These “HV’s” necessarily operate with a good deal of independence, but under the overall guidance and coordination of the Ride Director and the Core Ride Committee. The need for volunteers in some areas may not be known until late in the weeks leading up to Ride Day.

1.  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK:  It is understood and agreed that this event is a non-professional, amateur sporting event.  It is conducted by an all volunteer board solely for the enjoyment of the participants, their friends, their families and spectators.  I RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A RISKY SPORT AND I AM FULLY AWARE AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE RISKS AND DANGERS INHERENT IN THIS ACTIVITY IN A COMPETITIVE RIDE SITUATION including, but not limited to risks from natural conditions, including wildlife such as rattlesnakes, bears and mountain lions, hazards caused by the negligence or imcompetence of other volunteers and of riders or their failure to control their mounts, hazards of vehicular traffic, narrow percipitious trails in remote wilderness areas, risks of injuries from falling, altitude sickness, overuse, fatigue, dehydration, getting lost, exposure to elements and falling rocks and trees.  These are only some of the risks.  I understand that there is no way for Ride Management to anticipate, identify, modify or eliminate all risks nor has Ride Management undertaken to do so.  I further understand that if in fact I or members of my family/crew become injured or incapacitiated, it may be difficult or impossible to get required medical aid to me in time to avoid additional injury or even death.

2.  ASSUMPTION OF RISK:  With full awareness of the above stated risks and all risks not stated, I EXPRESSLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISK of personal injury including permanent disability and death to myself sustained while participating as a volunteer in this event including the risk of passive or active negligence on the part of the released parties.

3.  RELEASE OF LIABILITY:  With full awareness of the above stated risks and all risks not stated inherent in my participation as a volunteer in this event, I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, and anyone claiming through me hereby FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE the Western States Trail Foundation and the Officers, Directors, and/or members, agents, and employees of each, and all medical, veterinarian, and other personnel assisting with the event or any of them and any other person assisting with this riding event, including any public or private landowners over whose property the Ride passes, their representatives, successors and assigns, from ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE FOR ANY AND ALL INJURIES TO ME OR MY PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH MY PARTICIPATION AS A VOLUNTEER IN THIS EVENT.

4.  AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS:  In further consideration of being allowed to participate as a volunteer in this event, I agree that I WILL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, the Western States Trail Foundation and the Officers, Directors, members, agents, of each, against all claims, demands and causes of action, including Court costs and attorney fees, directly or indirectly arising from any action or other proceeding brought by or prosecuted for my benefit contrary to this agreement.

5.  WAIVER OF RIGHTS:  I expressly surrender my right to seek monetary damages from any group or individual directly or indirectly involved with the conduct of the Ride and further agree that any damages of any sort which otherwise might be alleged shall not exceed the liquidated sum of One Dollar ($1.00 USD).  I further waive my rights under California Civil Code Section 1542 which states: "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor." This waiver therefore applies to all potential claims for damage whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD AND I ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS STATED HEREIN AND I UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING UPON ME AND ANYONE CLAIMING THROUGH ME AND EFFECTIVELY BARS MY RIGHT TO CLAIM DAMAGES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT.