The Dakota Showdown is open to anyone who is experienced and confident working with horses!

The Dakota Showdown is open to anyone who is experienced and confident working with horses.

 

While we often have professional trainers participate, many of our competitors come from other backgrounds — riders, colt starters, clinicians, and serious horsemen and horsewomen who simply love helping a horse learn and grow.

 

We offer three divisions so people can participate at different levels:

 • Showcase Division – open to horse-savvy participants 16 and older• Foundation Division – 18+, working with minimally handled horses learning the basics• Rising Star Division – ages 12+, working with horses under 3 years old

 

What matters most to us is good horsemanship, patience, and a commitment to giving the horse a positive start.

 

If that sounds like you, we’d love to see your application.

 

Trainer applications are open now through March 15: https://dakotashowdown.com/trainers