What the Draft Horse Show Is
The North Dakota State Fair Draft Horse Show fills the All Seasons Arena in Minot with big teams, working-skill contests and hitch classes. It is open to all breeds of draft horses and pays cash premiums in every class. The most recent show was July 18-19, 2026, with event classes on Saturday and hitch classes on Sunday.
Event Classes: Saturday, July 18, 4:00 p.m.
Entry is $10 per class, with premiums of $350, $300 and $250.
- Cloverleaf: a team pulls a small skid around three barrels, fastest time wins, and a knocked barrel adds 10 seconds.
- Log Skidding: a team pulls a log through three cones and back, fastest time wins, and a knocked cone adds 10 seconds.
- Obstacle Course: a team completes obstacles worth 10 points each; the highest score with the fastest time wins.
In cloverleaf and log skidding, teams may not go faster than a trot. Loping or breaking the pattern disqualifies.
Hitch Classes: Sunday, July 19, 1:30 p.m.
Entry is $10 open and $4 youth.
| Class | Premiums (1st to 4th) |
|---|---|
| Eight Horse Hitch | $510, $430, $370, $310 |
| Six Horse Hitch | $450, $400, $350, $300 |
| Four Horse Hitch | $410, $370, $330, $290 |
| Unicorn Hitch | $350, $325, $300, $275 |
| Youth Driving, ages 16-21 | $190, $180, $170, $160 |
| Youth Driving, 15 and under | $190, $180, $170, $160 |
| Show Teams | $210, $195, $180, $170 |
| Farm Teams | $210, $195, $180, $170 |
| Men's Cart and Ladies' Cart | $210, $195, $180, $170 each |
| Four Abreast | $380, $350, $320 for the top three places |
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Entries close July 5, 2026. Stall and entry fees must accompany the entry blank.
- Check-in July 18, check-out July 19.
- Horses must be out of Horse Barn II by 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 20.
Stalls, Passes and Fees
- Stalls are $20 per night, and tack stalls are $20 per night. All draft breeds are stalled in Horse Barn II.
- The horse tow vehicle pass is $10 per day, one per family, and vehicle passes are not sold at the gate.
- Trailers up to 32 feet may park on the grounds.
- Bedding is mandatory and can be bought on the grounds.
- Stalls and alleys must be cleaned by 9:00 a.m. daily and kept open to the public.
Rules and Health Requirements
- Out-of-state horses need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins) test from the past 12 months. South Dakota horses are exempt from the EIA requirement.
- North Dakota horses do not need a CVI unless a disease situation arises.
- Horses with contagious or infectious disease, including ringworm, warts, or respiratory or GI illness, are dismissed immediately.
- Refunds on entry fees require a veterinary report given to the show secretary before show time, and a 20 percent office fee is deducted.
- Protests need a $100 deposit, must be filed within 48 hours and are decided by the Show Committee.
- Classes are called promptly, and riders and drivers must be suitably attired.
Where
All Seasons Arena, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot, North Dakota. The 2026 fair ran July 17-25; the next dates have not been announced.
Questions
Do I need a specific breed?
No. The show is open to all breeds of draft horses.
Can kids drive?
Yes. There are two youth driving classes, for ages 16 to 21 and for 15 and under, at a $4 entry fee.
Who do I call?
The North Dakota State Fair office, (701) 857-7620, fax (701) 857-7622.
Official Links
- 2026 horse book: draft horse classes, fees and rules
- 2026 livestock schedule
North Dakota County Fairs: The Essentials
North Dakota county fairs run from June into the fall and combine an open class, a 4-H division run by NDSU Extension, and often FFA exhibits. Each county sets its own fair book, dates and deadlines, so get yours from the Extension office early. History: laws from 1897 and 1905 let county commissioners levy taxes to support county fairs.
Examples
Grant County's 2025 fair (August 14-17, Carson) required six club meetings, set market beef ownership at March 1 and other species at May 1, and used interview judging for static projects. Cass County's 2021 Red River Valley Fair opened registration June 1 and paid static blue $3.50, red $2.50 and white $1.50.
State fair
The 2026 North Dakota State Fair ran July 17-25 in Minot. Static exhibits needed a blue ribbon or higher at a county event supervised by Extension, and exhibitors needed to be enrolled in 4-HOnline. Livestock entries were due May 1, with YQCA or equivalent quality assurance training required, and premiums were mailed in September. Read your county book for the dates that apply locally and for any residency rules before you enter.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Minot
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Minot for teachers. Next session posted for January 27, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Minot, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Ward County 4-H Air Rifle and Pistol Match
County 4-H shooting sports match held February 21, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, with a Fun Match for all ages at 1 p.m.
2005 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701 | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Rodeo Minot
Friday brings an NDRA rodeo and Saturday a PRCA rodeo at the State Fair Center, with adult tickets at $15 and $20. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 10-11, 2026.
2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-8206 Official event details - Ward County 4-H Achievement Days
The 94th annual Ward County 4-H Achievement Days ran June 12-18, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds with 264 members showing projects, horses and livestock; free to attend.
Minot, ND | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - NDSA Spring Roundup Berthold
NDSA District 6 spring roundup in Berthold, a free cattlemen's meeting that starts with a 5 p.m. social. Held each year; the most recent roundup was 2026-06-08.
210 Main Street, Berthold, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Stockmen's Association Official event details
All North Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.