MT: 2026 R1 Championship

Judges: Rebecca Algar, S, Florida; Sarah Pinney, R, California.

Technical Delegate: Dawn Swensson

Paddock Steward: Linda McCormick
Show Manager: Sheila Mealey

Show Secretary: Alyssa Briceland/Julie Alonzo

Scribes – BJ Young, Kim Swanson
Arena Crew – Looking for 2-4 volunteers!SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, Aug 26 – Early Move In (additional fee required)

THURSDAY, Aug 27 – Official Move-In Day, Veterinary Inspection (3-5 pm), Welcome Dinner & Rider Briefing

FRIDAY, Aug 28 – L1-L2 Dressage trial, L4-L7 EOH

SATURDAY, Aug 29 – L1-L3 EOH trial, Competitor & Guest Dinner, band and dancing
SUNDAY, Aug 30 – Speed Trial, Cattle Trial, Awards Ceremony (estimated 6:30 – 7:30)

MONDAY, Aug 31 – Move out (you may leave earlier if you would like)

The veterinary inspection is intended to ensure that all horses are suitably sound and healthy to compete. For the veterinary inspection, please bring your horse as well as its valid health certificate (if coming from outside Montana) and Coggin’s paperwork (required for all horses, including those from MT). You will present the horse in hand for the vet to inspect and will then walk away from the judge for approximately 150 feet, then walk back to the judge, then trot away from the judge and back to the judge. The veterinarian reserves the right to take temperatures and might request that you lunge the horse on a circle to confirm soundness.

AWARDS CEREMONY – All award winners (1st – 10th place in each level and division), please plan to be mounted, in show tack and attire, with horses displaying with their awards for photos, please. Championships are a BIG DEAL!

ENTRY FEES

CHAMPIONSHIP Classes: $700 – Includes your stall (Thursday – Monday, same cost) and entry fee (includes two free digital photos from the official photographer, with the option to purchase additional high-quality images).

Non-Championship Classes: $550 – Includes stall (Thursday – Monday, same cost) and entry fee (includes two free digital photos from the official photographer, with the option to purchase additional high-quality images).

If you are sharing a horse with another rider, you can deduct $100 from one of the horse’s entry fees (because the stall doesn’t need to be paid twice)

Cattle Trial: $150 (this is based on the need to cover the expenses of having cattle).

Extra Stall(s): Available for $200 (if we have enough — we’ll allocate to stalls to horses first)

An additional discount of $50 for those driving 500 or more miles one way to attend. If you qualify for this discount, please add info about where you’re driving from in the “comment” box at the end of the entry.

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS FROM USAWE – $250 toward entry fee

Apply directly on the USAWE Youth page: https://usawe.org/we-community/youth/

Applications are due by July 1 – please apply early for the best chance of receiving a scholarship.

Limited hook ups with electrical are available.  Please reserve early if you want one of these spots.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To compete in a Regional Championship, Horse/Rider pair must have earned an average of 58% or higher combined Dressage and EOH score, without disqualifying in Speed (Novice A and above) at at least two USAWE licensed competitions since 2025, at least one of which must have been earned in the 2026 competition season. Qualifying scores must have been earned at the level being entered. There are no qualification requirements to compete in the Rated Show.

ENTRIES CLOSE August 1, 2026  
If you have not yet qualified to compete in the Championship but would like to hold your spot, please enter now. If you are unable to earn a qualifying score prior to the Championship, you will be given the option of participating in a non-Championship class instead so you can still be there to enjoy the event.

Refunds (50% of money paid) only available with a vet/doctor excuse.

LINK TO ENTER: https://forms.gle/NkE51CKhqjhWVfxM7