(Photo Caption: Don’t miss the invitational ranch rodeo to watch top teams from historic ranches compete for coveted titles.)
Provided by National Western Stock Show
Get Your Equine Fix at the National Western Stock Show
The first few weeks of the year are traditionally some of the most exciting for the Colorado horse community, as well as its outskirts, thanks to the National Western Stock Show’s (NWSS) equine events. Here’s a helpful calendar to aid in your planning of how to see all the equine showcases featured at the NWSS. Note that some of these are paid-entry only and that schedules are subject to change, so keep an eye on nationalwestern.com to stay up-to-date.
Sat. 1/7 (Opening Day)
Youth Ranch Horse Mentor Matchup: Ten pairs of select youths and professionals work together for the youths to show their ranch horses to their best ability by practicing one-on-one and then competing for scholarship money.
Invitational Ranch Rodeo: Watch the top teams from historic working ranches compete for prestigious titles.
Sun. 1/8
$25,000 RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining including the Youth Freestyle Reining Showcase: You won’t want to miss this premier event in the country, featuring top reining professionals, plus three select youth performers.
Mon 1/9
AQHA/APHA Show: Come celebrate 80 years of the NWSS horse show!
Tues 1/10
AQHA/APHA Show: Come celebrate 80 years of the NWSS horse show!
NRCHA Show: Check out some of the best working cow horses in the country, including the bridle-horse event at 6 p.m., plus the new cowboy class.
Wed. 1/11
AQHA/APHA Show: Come celebrate 80 years of the NWSS horse show!
NRCHA Show: Check out some of the best working cow horses in the country.
Thurs. 1/12
USEF Hunter/Jumper Show: The English horses take center-stage.
Fri. 1/13
USEF Hunter/Jumper Show: The English horses take center-stage.
$15,000 Monarch Casino Gambler’s Choice: On this rock ‘n roll-themed jumper night, riders choose their own course, jumps are worth point values, and there’s a time limit to earn most points.
Sat. 1/14
USEF Hunter/Jumper Show: The English horses take center-stage.
Wild West Show: This fun event includes a longhorn cattle drive across the NWSS grounds.
$5,000 Top of the Rockies Jumper Stakes: Take in the big jumps as they compete for big money.
Sun. 1/15
USEF Hunter/Jumper Show: The English horses take center-stage.
Wild West Show: This fun event includes a longhorn cattle drive across the NWSS grounds.
Mon. 1/16
USEF Hunter/Jumper Show: The English horses take center-stage.
Xtreme Dogs: Watch as working dogs show their prowess.
$40,000 NWSS Grand Prix: This is the big jumping event you won’t want to miss!
Tues. 1/17
Horseman’s Challenge: Horse-and-rider pairs compete in a timed obstacle event drawing all ages and levels of riders and equines from local community. Last year’s event included horses, mules, gaited horses, ponies, draft horses, and youth riders.
Xtreme Dogs: Watch as working dogs show their prowess.
Wed. 1/18
Horseman’s Challenge: This event features the team challenge followed by the speed challenge and collegiate challenge
An Evening of Dancing Horses®: This draws horse lovers of all kinds to enjoy the talents of horses from many different disciplines.
Thurs. 1/19
Draft Horse, Mule, and Donkey Show: Witness first-hand the immense horse-power of these gentle giants.
An Evening of Dancing Horses®: This draws horse lovers of all kinds to enjoy the talents of horses from many different disciplines.
Fri. 1/20
Draft Horse, Mule, and Donkey Show: Witness first-hand the immense horse-power of these gentle giants.
Sat. 1/21
Draft Horse, Mule, and Donkey Show: Witness first-hand the immense horse-power of these gentle giants.
Sun. 1/22
Draft Horse, Mule, and Donkey Show: Witness first-hand the immense horse-power of these gentle giants.
For specific information about buying tickets, event times, and details on the classes, please visit nationalwestern.com/horse-shows
See this article in the January/February 2023 online edition:
January/February 2023
The Colorado Horse Source is an independently owned and operated print and online magazine for horse owners and enthusiasts of all breeds and disciplines in Colorado and surrounding areas. Our contemporary editorial columns are predominantly written by experts in the region, covering the care, training, keeping and enjoyment of horses, with an eye to the specific concerns in our region.