Join us in Yankton, SD for 2024!

The Dakota Showdown Finale will be August 24-25 in Yankton, SD! Trainer Applications open March 15, so get ready!

  • days
  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Seconds
Sponsor the 2024 Dakota Showdown

ABOUT THE SHOWDOWN / South Dakota's Premier Horse Trainer Challenge

The Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge is a competition in which volunteer foster homes and professional trainers work with a Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue horse for a minimum of 100 days. 

The purpose of the Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge is:

  • To show the public that rescued horses and other equines can be useful, trainable and enjoyable equine partners.
  • To provide training and adoption opportunities for rescued horses.
  • To provide a fun, competitive venue for Professional and Amateur trainers to display their horsemanship skills.

2023 Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge Champions

IMG_3997

2023 GRAND CHAMPION

Kaylee Peel with Tahni

Kaylee Peel and Tahni, a 9-year-old Quarter Horse type gelding, competed in the Showcase Division, which was a very hard division! Grand and Reserve Grand Champions were determined by the high point scores for the weekend and Tahni was the clear winner, earning 313 points in basic skills, trail obstacles and their freestyle performance at the 2023 Dakota Showdown Finale.
IMG_1746

2023 RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION

Michelle Gilles with Toluca

Also competing in the Showcase Division was Michelle Gilles and Toluca, a 14-year-old OTTB. Toluca initially started with a different trainer but was transferred to Michelle approximately 5 weeks before the event. Seeing them earn 311.25 points and earning Reserve Grand Champion was a huge highlight of the weekend!

RECENT BLOG POSTS / get news

2024 Sponsors Needed!

Sponsors
Happy April!!! Applications are in and this week we are interviewing potential trainers. We had applications from both North and South Dakota,...
Read more

Meet #ShowdownTeamJack - Jack & Hailey Breth

2023 Showdown , 2023 Teams - Challenge Horses

Meet Jack, a 15-year-old, 15 hand QH gelding and his trainer, Hailey Breth of Hailey's Tune Ups and Finishing. #ShowdownTeamJack is competing in the...

Read more

Meet #ShowdownTeamKC - KC & Jordan Heeney

2023 Showdown , 2023 Teams - Pony Division

Meet KC, an 8 year old Miniature horse gelding and his young trainer, Jordan Heeney. #ShowdownTeamkc is competing in the Pony Division of the 2023...

Read more

LOCATION

Yankton Rodeo Grounds
404 Paddle Wheel Point
Yankton, SD

info@gentlespirithorses.org

GET DIRECTION

CONTACT US / ask us anything!