2025 Teams

Trainers will be revealed in April, but in the meantime, meet the horses who may be part of the 2025 Dakota Showdown!

Check out their profiles and get to know the potential competitors before they begin their 100-day journey.

Meet the 2025 Teams

Showcase Division

For trainers ready to take on the challenge of starting a horse under saddle. These horses already have a solid foundation in groundwork and are ready for their next step. 

Team Vixen

Team Vixen

Vixen is an 11-yr-old mare, approximately 15 hands, who is working with last year's Grand Champion Annika Greaney of Red River Equestrian near Fargo, ND.

Team Cocoa

Team Cocoa

Cocoa is a 12-yr-old gelding, about 15.1 hands, who is working with Rachel Lund near Rapid City, SD

Team Eloise

Team Eloise

Eloise is a 3-4 yr old mare who is growing but stands about 14.2 right now. She's paired with last year's Reserve Champion, Bryan Roselles of Diamond Hearts Performance Horses near Rapid City, SD.

Team Whitney

Team Whitney

Whitney is a 4-yr-old Quarter Horse mare standing about 14.1 hands tall and paired with another previous Grand Champion - Kaylee Peel of Lazy K Equine near Newell, SD.

Team Smokey

Team Smokey

Smokey is a 4-yr-old Morgan standing just at 14 hands tall who is smart and working hard with young trainer Olivia Van Beek near Sioux Center, Iowa this summer.

Meet the Teams

Foundation Division

Trainers work with BLM Mustangs or unhandled rescues, focusing on socialization, groundwork, and handling skills to prepare them for adoption.

Team Dewey (1)

Team Dewey

Dewey is a 3-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding who is extremely friendly and willing. He's working with Alexis Louis near Rapid City, SD. Keep an eye on them - they may be moved up to Showcase!

Team Thunder

Team Thunder

Thunder is a big, strong 3-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding who is paired with Carter Nesland of Nesland Performance Horses near Rapid City, SD

Team Twister

Team Twister

Twister is a cautious 3-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding who is paired with Beth Stahlecker near Alvord, Iowa

Team Onyx

Team Onyx

Onyx is a playful 3-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding partnered with Jay Westerbur who is working at the GSH facility near Scotland, SD.

Team Forrest

Team Forrest

Forrest is a big moving 3-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding partnered with Shay Lathrop near Volin, SD

Team Kelvin

Team Kelvin

Kelvin is a solid 3-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding paired with Jade Thompson of Double J Training near Wakonda, SD

Meet the Potential Horses

Rising Star Division

The Rising Star Division is a non-competitive division designed for 1-2-year-old horses and trainers of all experience levels, including youth as young as 12 years old. This division focuses on socialization, basic groundwork, and confidence-building, giving young horses the skills they need to succeed in future training.