54th WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

54th WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Ride & Tie World Championship

Originally the Levi’s Ride & Tie, this is the annual signature race of the Ride and Tie Association.

Drawing the largest crowd of competitors from across the nation and sometimes even from around the globe, this event is open to all who wish to tackle the sport’s pinnacle event.

Historically scheduled for Father’s Day weekend, with the intention of making attendance easy for families with school aged children, you might schedule your summer vacation event around this race. As plans for the next Championship are announced, specifics will be posted here. Depending on location, the camp is usually open for a full week before the race.

The World Championship race is not tied to one specific location: the race may be held in a different location each year, or may rest at one location for several years before moving to a new, fresh location.

The World Championship course will be designed to challenge. The mileage is altered from year to year in light of course ruggedness, elevation gain/loss, altitude and other factors that may affect course difficulty. The trail boss is tasked each year to design a course that can be won in 4 hours. Each successful team completing the full course, regardless of time, is awarded a pair of custom designed commemorative belt buckles. A short course is generally offered, concurrent to the World Championship, for those not prepared for the full challenge.

Free entry for international teams: write to international@rideandtie.org to nominate your team for the free entry. One team per country will receive free entry to the Ride & Tie World Championship. Multiple entries per country are welcome: the complimentary entry will be awarded to the first team to nominate.

A limited number of horses may be available for lease. The Ride and Tie Association bears no responsibility and has no involvement in the leasing of horses. If you can establish your competence as a rider and a person who will treat the horse humanely; if you are willing to enter just for the fun and withdraw at the slightest indication the health of the horse will benefit from your doing so, then ask about lease arrangements.

Sample race pages from past years provide you with an idea what kind of information will be available here in the future for the coming year’s race:

Check back later, this page will be replaced once specific information is available for the next Ride & Tie World Championship.

ALL COMPETITORS MUST BE MEMBERS OF RIDE & TIE ASSOCIATION.

Cost: tbd

Race Director:  Janice Heltibridle

Location: Orkney Springs, VA

Need a horses or partner?

Flyer and Registration Form

Flyer

 

Prizes/Awards: All long course finishers in the Ride & Tie will receive belt buckles. $4000 in cash prizes to be distributed to Long Course R&T competitors.  All finishers in other events Ride & Tie (short course) and Equathon will also receive completion awards. Other awards may include: turtle, Junior, best condition, etc.

Race Distances:

Thursday 12 mile R&T (Short Course)

Friday 27 mile R&T (Long Course)

Saturday 12/6 Equathon and 6 mile Fun R&T

Race Week Agenda:

Thursday – tbd

Fridaytbd

Saturdaytbd

Ride and Tie Base Camp: 1794 Happy Valley Road, Orkney Springs, VA 22845

Meals: tbd

Directions to the Race Site: 

Coming from the North on I-81 South, take Exit 273 (Mt. Jackson), take a right at the top of the ramp onto Mt. Jackson Rd. Go to the T, take a left onto Rte 614 for 1.1 miles, then a right (west) onto Rt 263 (Orkney Grade). Stay on 263 for about 11 miles, taking it slow on the winding, downhill grade as you enter Orkney Springs. As the grade levels out, take your first left onto Happy Valley Road (there’s board fence on your left as you approach the turn, and a cluster of white buildings directly beyond the turn). Go ½ mile; turn right at right hand bend in road, go to the end of the base camp field and turn left into the driveway to camp.

 Coming from the South on I-81 North, take Exit 269 (to avoid traffic in Mount Jackson), turn right off exit ramp and then left onto Rte 11 North, continue about 2 miles, then turn left onto Rte 263, following this road about 11 miles until you reach Orkney Springs. Follow the above directions from that point.

Riding The Trail: SHOES ARE REQUIRED!  All horses are required to wear four shoes or the equivalent (Easy Boots and similar count) to compete. Those of you who already know the trail understand why; those for whom the trail is new will quickly understand as well!  Loops consist of beautiful single track trails through woods and shade, gravel roads, and sections that include significant climbs and are rocky and challenging.  The long course consists of two loops back to an away vet check, with a final section back to base camp for the finish.  The short course and ride portion of the Equathon consist of an out and back to a checkpoint (NO vet check or hold) at a private residence and then back to base camp.  The run portion of the Equathon and 6 mile Fun Ride & Tie consist of an out and back to a checkpoint at 3 mile mark and then back to base camp.

Volunteers Wanted: To help with taking horse pulses for pre-race, post-race and mid-point vet checks, tracking participants and directing them where to go at key checkpoints on course, etc.

Questions:

Date

Jun 11 - 13 2026

More Info

Flyer

Location

Orkney Springs, VA
1794 Happy Valley Rd, Orkney Springs, VA 22815

Organizer

Janice Heltibridle
Phone
540-233-0710
Email
janiceheltibridle@gmail.com
Flyer