World-Class Horse Shows

January 10-25, 2026

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Horse Shows at Stock Show

 Beginning in 1907, horse events have been part of our history and continue to showcase the world’s best equines in a variety of disciplines. We are proud to host some of the country’s top shows and events, drawing exhibitors from around the globe to share our talented 4-legged athletes with the public.

Horse Exhibitors
Youth Programs
animal wellness
Performance Horse Showdown
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Reining, roping and reined cow horse will join forces on opening day of the National Western Stock Show in a newly created feature called the Performance Horse Showdown.

Witness teams made up of three elite athletes - each representing one of the prominent disciplines in the western performance horse industry: reining, reined cow horse and roping - will compete individually in their respective events, with their combined scores determining the overall team championship. Exceptional riders will be invited to select their best horse to compete for over $17,000 in this double-judged, inaugural event. Teams of three representing each discipline will be randomly drawn. Each team will earn a payout plus individuals have a chance at a winner-take-all jackpot for the high score in each event. This event is sanctioned by the National Reined Cow Horse Association and the National Reining Horse Association.

This event will join other opening weekend features which celebrate the legacy of the western world and traditions carried on through these disciplines. The Youth Ranch Horse Mentor Matchup, Invitational Ranch Rodeo and Invitational Freestyle Reining will complete the schedule for Saturday and Sunday. Details will be posted on our website and interested riders are encouraged to fill out an Interest Form before October 31st.

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Event Date: January 10 | 2 p.m.

Invitational Ranch Rodeo
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Ranch rodeos consist of teams of cowboys or cowgirls from different ranches competing against each other in events that mimic their everyday work on the ranch. Ranch rodeos differ from the more common “Pro Rodeo” in several ways.

  • The contestants are not professional rodeo cowboys — they usually are full-time ranch hands who compete in ranch rodeos for fun or bragging rights.
  • The events in ranch rodeos are similar to the tasks commonly performed on a ranch, and the equipment and tack used are the same as those used during everyday ranch life.
  • Instead of competing as individuals, the contestants compete as a team representing the ranch they work for.

This event consists of 8 teams competing in four events. Interested teams should fill out an Interest Form by October 31st.

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Event Date: January 10  |  5:30 p.m.

Invitational Freestyle Reining
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The top reiners in the nation participate in this event, making the $30,000 Invitational Freestyle Reining unique to any horse show in the world. Even if this is your first horse show, you’re sure to love reining’s elegance and athleticism.

Beginning in 1996, this event quickly grew in popularity with both spectators and riders alike. It has become known as the premier freestyle reining event in North America and draws top horses and riders each year. Reining was developed from the moves a cow horse is asked to perform during regular ranch duties. Competitive patterns include spins, stops, rollbacks, speed variations, and directional changes. Unlike standard reining classes with prescribed patterns, freestyle reining allows riders to add costumes, music, props, lighting and special effects to their presentations. Interested riders need to submit their name through our Consideration Form by September 30th.
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Event Date: January 11  |  3 p.m.

Monarch Casino Gambler's Choice
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A show jumping competition with a rock-and-roll atmosphere, the Monarch Casino Gambler’s Choice Jumper Stake features high-level jumpers and a uniquely designed course to produce a high-energy performance.

Each rider jumps the course of 10 to 14 fences starting at 4 feet 6 inches in height. Each fence carries a point value based on its degree of difficulty. The riders decide their own path around the course but can only jump a fence twice, in either direction, and only if it’s still standing.

The daring nature of the horse and rider pair comes into play as the faster, higher jumping horses can get around the course faster and cleaner, thus accumulating the most points. Final scores are determined by adding the total points and subtracting any penalties for exceeding the time allowed. Once the initial jump course is finished and points tabulated, each rider then has the option of taking the Joker fence with the risk of gaining a large number of points or losing those points with a knockdown.

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Event Date: January 16  |  7:30 p.m.

NWSS Grand Prix
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presented by:  

This prestigious event draws the top horses and riders from across North America. With more than $40,000 in prize money, this makes for an exciting event. Pronounced “gron pree”, the term translates from the French as “big prize”. Grand Prix jumping requires absolute cooperation and teamwork between horse and rider. It takes a special animal and a special person to compete at this level of competition.

Each competitor jumps one round over a course of 10 to 14 jumps from 4 feet 6-inches in height and higher. The top horses accumulating the least number of faults are required to jump a second round over a course of 8 to 12 jumps, raised in height from the previous round. The spreads (width) of all jumps range from five to six feet. Final scores are determined by adding the total faults incurred in both rounds and adding any penalties for exceeding the time allowed in either or both rounds. In the event of a tie for first place, a jump-off will occur, with time deciding the winner should there be another tie.
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Event Date: January 19  | 7 p.m.

Draft Horse, Mule & Donkey Shows
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Witness firsthand the immense horsepower of these gentle giants. Featuring the workhorses of yesteryear, the Draft Horse Show and Pulling Contest offers the beauty, grandeur, and sheer force of today’s draft horses. The long weekend boasts cart, team, unicorn, 4-horse, 6-horse & 8-horse hitch classes as well as various working horse events including the ever-popular Feed Team Race within three ticketed performances.

Event Date: January 22-24

An Evening of Dancing Horses
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presented by:  

An Evening of Dancing Horses® is known for bringing together the best equestrian talent from around the world. Enjoy an evening full of formal dressage, reining, liberty, and other talents performed to live music provided by Spinphony Electric String Quartet.

Event Date: January 23 & 24 @ 7 p.m.

Non-Ticketed Horse Events

Youth Ranch Horse Mentor Matchup
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Debuting in 2019, this event was created to provide an opportunity for local equestrian youth to learn and compete during the National Western Stock Show through hands-on educational activities with their equine partner and top equine professionals. Mentor Matchup will match selected youth with industry professionals who will act as their ‘coach’ for the day. They will receive one-on-one practice time followed by a competition.

The event is open to youth ages 14-21 from Colorado or Wyoming and selections are based on horse and rider connection and potential, desire to be involved in the equine industry, professionalism, and humane and respectful treatment of all animals and individuals. The Grand Champion will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship and the Reserve Grand Champion a $1,000 scholarship from the National Western Scholarship Trust. Interested riders can apply until October 31st.
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Event Date: January 10  | 8 a.m. & January 11 | 8:30 a.m.

Quarter Horse & Paint Horse Show
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The historic American Quarter Horse Association and American Paint Horse Association shows return with the exciting Finals format, started in 2016. Featuring the working horses of our Western heritage, the shows will contain halter, barrel racing, ranch riding, and roping events. There will be added prize money from NWSS, AQHA, and APHA. The Finals will include the best of each breed plus the popular head-to-head Quarter Horse versus Paint Horse matchups.

Event Date: January 12-14

Hunter/Jumper Show
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Enjoy a variety of talented Hunter, Jumper & Equitation horses during an action-packed five days of show jumping.

Event Date: Jan 15-19

Horseman's Challenge
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The National Western Horseman’s Challenge provides a challenging, educational, and entertaining opportunity for local and national equestrians to be involved in the NWSS within a growing and evolving discipline. Equine and rider teams will face obstacles and maneuvers testing their horsemanship and confidence in each other.

The invitational Collegiate Challenge continues, adding three new schools to the Horseman's Challenge event. Created to engage local college equestrian programs and offer additional scholarship opportunities, sixteen representatives from eight Colorado and Wyoming higher education programs will vie for the Collegiate Challenge Champion and Reserve Champion awards of $2,000 and $1,000 scholarships, respectively, from the National Western Scholarship Trust.

Obstacles and maneuvers will vary to accommodate all levels of riders and equines. The National Western  Horseman’s Challenge is open to all ages of equine and rider and breed of horse, pony, mule, or donkey.

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Event Date: Jan 20-21

Draft Horse, Mule & Donkey Show
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Witness firsthand the immense horsepower of these gentle giants. Featuring the working horses of yesteryear, the National Western Draft Horse Show and Pulling Contest offers the beauty, grandeur, and sheer force of today’s draft horses.

The long weekend boasts cart, team, unicorn, 4-horse, 6-horse, and 8-horse hitch classes as well as various working horse events including the ever-popular Feed Team Race. The weekend is also home to our equine friends in the North American Saddle Mule and Donkey Association show featuring in-hand classes plus ranch and gymkhana-type riding classes.
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Event Date: Jan 21-24

Charreria
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To celebrate our heritage and continue to showcase diverse equine talent and tradition, a Charreria will debut at the 2026 National Western Stock Show. This historic and culturally rich sport—officially recognized as Mexico’s national sport—adds a unique and meaningful dimension to our equestrian programming. Charrería dates back to the 16th century, when horses were introduced to Mexico by the Spanish and became essential to working life on large haciendas. Over time, these ranching skills evolved into competitive events known as charreadas, which celebrate the precision, bravery, and horsemanship of charros—Mexican horsemen.

Event Date: Jan 25 | 2:30 pm

The 2026 NWSS Charrería event will feature two exciting competitive disciplines:

Escaramuza – A visually stunning and fast-paced event featuring all-female teams performing synchronized, choreographed routines on horseback while riding sidesaddle. Dressed in traditional Adelita-inspired attire, these riders honor the legacy and spirit of the women who played vital roles in the Mexican Revolution.

Cala de Caballo – Often referred to as Mexican reining, this event showcases a horse’s training, agility, and responsiveness through a series of precise movements such as sliding stops, spins, and rollbacks—emphasizing the deep connection between horse and rider.

Enjoy the vibrant tradition of Charrería at the National Western Stock Show!

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