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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!

2026 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. 

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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

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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

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Twister

Twister is a 14.3 hand, 4-yr-old BLM mustang gelding who won the 2025 Foundation Division. He's started under saddle and ready to continue his training.

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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!

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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.

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Dice

Dice is a 13-yr-old gelding who won the Foundation Division in 2024. He's returned from an adoption and is ready to work under saddle. Can be tough to catch.

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.

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Kelvin

4-yr-old BLM mustang gelding with minimal handling

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Thunder

4-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding

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Maysilee & Merrilee

6 & 7 year old donkey jennys, minimal handling but kind. Available as a pair to a special trainer

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Thunder

4-yr-old BLM Mustang gelding

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. 

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Padme

Adorable yearling filly, unhandled

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Luke

Sweet yearling colt, unhandled (will be gelded if a colt)

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Wren

Petite yearling filly, basic handling and easy