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.