Come join us for this special running of the historic High Desert Classic.

Ride camp will be located in Stillwater, Nevada, 24 miles northeast of Fallon, Nevada.  To the best of our knowledge at this point, the trail is the same as it has been in the past.  It is a beautiful but remote trail.  

A 50-mile ride and 30-mile limited distance will start from the base of the Stillwater Mountain Range, skirt across the playa, and climb into the high terrain of the southern Stillwater mountains.  The trail contains scenic canyon climbs, desert washes, natural springs, and windmills/stock tanks.  Like any Nevada ride, there are rocky sections for which one should slow down or accommodate the horses footing appropriately.  The trail runs through the historic ruins of La Plata, an early county seat of Churchill County and takes in beautiful views of the Lahontan Valley.

DIRECTIONS:  Traveling from Reno, take Interstate 80 to Fernley and then Hwy 50 (second exit) to Fallon or from Carson, take Hwy 50 into Fallon.  The turnoff to base camp (Stillwater Road) is five miles east of Fallon, still on Highway 50.  A sign for the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge indicates a left turn onto Stillwater Road.  Follow this main road (Stillwater Road) 18 miles northeast as it makes some 90 degree turns, eventually becoming a good dirt road 16-17 miles out.  The base camp will be located just off this dirt road 1 mile past the cattle grate and just beyond the turnoff to Mountain Well Road. The camping area is an alkali flat with plenty of space and management will bring horse water.  As all water has to be hauled in please bring enough for yourself to get started.  If there are significant rainstorms the week before the ride, the camp may need to be slightly relocated.  Please call if there are any questions.  The camp will be available for use Friday the 8th of May through Sunday the 10th of May, 2026.  

SERVICES:  Services are available in Fallon.  The last gas station is Harmon Junction, which is at the turnoff from Hwy. 50 on to Stillwater Road.  Again, water will be available but limited at base camp.  Please bring enough water for your first 24 hours.  There will be no scooping or sponging from troughs.  Camping prior to the weekend is available at the Fallon Fairgrounds.  Call for details (775) 423-7733.

TRAIL:  The trail is a loop configuration.  Lunch on Saturday will be at Mountain Well (15 and 35 miles into the ride respectively).  The vet check is crew accessible but is limited in parking.  The finish will be back at base camp. 

50 Mile Ride:  Start Time 0700

The 50-mile ride will have a vet check and hold at 15 miles and then continue on a twenty mile high terrain loop back into the vet check again for lunch, then returns down a different trail to finish in ridecamp.

30 Mile Ride:  Start Time 0730

The 30-mile ride ascends to Mountain Well (15 miles) for a vet check and lunch and then returns down a different trail.

AWARDS: Completion awards will be awarded to all riders who complete both rides.  Awards for the 50 mile ride will be given for weight divisions, 1st Place, and Best Condition.  In addition to the completion awards, for the 30 mile ride Best Condition will be given. 

Crew bags will be taken to the vet check on Saturday for all riders.  Please plan to bring whatever lunch or crewing supplies you may need.

VETS:  Susan McCartney, DVM, Head Vet

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Nancy Upham or send a message to highdesertrides@hotmail.com 

Ride Manager:  Nancy Upham  (775) 224-6565

Ride Secretary:  Tami Rougeau (775) 250-1042

1. The rides are sanctioned by AERC and will comply with the AERC rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of the rider to know the rules and regulations which can be found at www.aerc.org
2. All riders are totally responsible for self, crew, and equine (before, during, and after the ride).
3. Loose dogs may result in rider disqualification. KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH OR WITHIN YOUR RIG AT ALL TIMES.
4. The High Desert rides are open to all persons and equines.
5. Riders or their crews, who are in any way rude or insulting to Control Judges, treatment vets, ride management, volunteers, local landowners, or other trail users, will risk disqualification of the rider.
6. A "Junior" is a rider under the age of 16 as of December 1st in the year of competition, and MUST be accompanied by a Senior sponsor, at least 18 years old, at all times. A change of sponsor during the ride may not be made unless approved by management. ALL JUNIOR RIDERS MUST WEAR AN APPROVED SAFETY HELMET.
7. There shall be no unauthorized horses on the trail.
8. Horses must be at least 48 months old for the 25 miler and 60 months old for the 50 miler, as confirmed by the Ride Control Judges
9. No pregnant or nursing mares will be allowed.
10. The same horse and rider must pass all control points, and stay on the marked trail, in order to qualify for any awards.
11. There will be no ties allowed.
12. The ride must be completed in 6 hours for the 25 miler and 12 hours for the 50 miler (in elapsed time) to qualify for awards.
13. Horses must be shod or have some kind of hoof protection.
14. All matters concerning the horse will be made final by the Head Control Judge.
15. All horses shall be presented for a pre-ride veterinary inspection, between the designated hours of the ride.
16. The same horse and rider must pass all control points and stay on the marked trail to qualify for completion.
17. Riders/horse owners are financially responsible for any emergency veterinary treatment provided.
18. Abuse of the horse and/or use of drugs is prohibited. All horses shall be subject to a blood and urine test.
19. Ride management reserves the right to interpret these rules and regulations as necessary, to insure the continuity of the ride, and will settle any questions or disputes that might arise from any incident that might occur during the ride.
20. Violation of any of these rules shall be grounds for disqualification of horse and rider from the ride.

We the undersigned, for and in consideration of our child's participation in the above named Ride, do hereby release all persons charged with official capacity in the execution of such Ride, from all claims, demands, suits, or liabilities which otherwise arise by virtue of injury to or occasioned by our child or any horse under such child's direction or control. We do further authorize any officer, manager, director, or supervisory personnel of the above named Ride, to consent on our behalf, to any emergency medical treatment by a properly licensed person, which may be required for our child, and do agree to indemnify, and hold harmless, anyone giving such consent. I declare under penalty that the foregoing is true and correct.

REFUND POLICY:  Full refunds less fees will be given for cancelations prior to May 2nd.  Cancelations after May 2nd will receive all but $40.  NO SHOWS RECEIVE NO REFUND.

PAYMENT OPTIONS: 

PAYPAL: Follow the link below and pay to tntrougeau@gmail.com

PAYING BY CHECK: If you need to pay via check contact Tami at tntrougeau@gmail.com to make arrangements.  Make checks payable to Nancy Upham and mail to Tami Rougeau 10170 Calle Maria Street, Reno, NV 89508.  Checks must be received prior to the ride and will be cashed upon receipt.

NO TRANSACTIONS WILL BE HANDLED IN CAMP.

ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.