Meet the 2026 Showdown Teams
Meet the horses and trainers participating in the 2026 Dakota Showdown!
These teams will be working together over the next few months and then competing at the Dakota Showdown Finale on August 22-23, 2026. The horses will then be available for adoption. Have a favorite? Apply to adopt now!
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.
Dove
Dove is an approximate 15-hand, 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Sweet and easy to be around, but can be hard to catch. Her trainer is Arryanna Schnetzer out of Springfield, SD
Lucy
Lucy is an approximately 15 hand, 14-yr-old Quarter Horse mare. Her trainer is Randy Andren of Still Waters Horse Co out of West Fargo, ND
Twister
Twister is a 14.3 hand, 4-yr-old BLM mustang gelding who won the 2025 Foundation Division. His trainer is Bryan Roselles out of Rapid City, SD
Dice
Dice is a 13-yr-old gelding who won the Foundation Division in 2024. He's paired with trainer Carter Nesland out of Rapid City, SD.
Vincent
Vincent is a 9-yr-old, approximately 14.2 hand gelding who lost the tips of his ears to frostbite. He's friendly but has never been started under saddle.
Forrest
Forrest is a 4-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding who participated in the Foundation Division in 2025. He's friendly and a fast learner!
Foundation Division
Trainers work with BLM Mustangs or unhandled rescues, focusing on socialization, groundwork, and handling skills to prepare them for adoption.
Thunder
4-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding paired with trainer Carter Nesland out of Rapid City, SD
Kelvin
4-yr-old BLM mustang gelding with minimal handling paired with trainer Nina Ring out of Scotland, SD
Maysilee & Merrilee
6 & 7 year old donkey jennys paired with youth trainers Haily Chitwood and Aspen Lyons, working out of the Gentle Spirit Horse Center in Scotland, SD
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.
Wren
Yearling filly paired with youth trainer Tina Javers out of Canton, SD
Blake
2-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding paired with youth trainer Haylee Nichols out of Gillette, WY
Padme
Yearling filly paired with youth trainer Haily Chitwood at the Gentle Spirit Horse Center in Scotland, SD
Luke
Yearling colt paired with youth trainer Aspen Lyons at the Gentle Spirit Horse Center in Scotland, SD
