What the Quarter Horse Show Is
The North Dakota State Fair Quarter Horse Show is a two-day AQHA double-judge show in Minot that opens the fair's horse week. Open, amateur, select, youth and small fry divisions compete in ranch, western, hunt seat and in-hand classes. The most recent show was Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, 2026, starting at 8 a.m. each day, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. Judges were Holly Hover (Cave Creek, AZ) and Cyndi Robbins (Big Piney, WY).
Classes
- Friday, July 17 (classes 1-33): ranch riding, ranch trail, working western rail, reining, barrels and poles, for Amateur, Open, Youth and Small Fry. Some classes run concurrently. Friday is in the All Seasons Arena.
- Saturday, July 18 (classes 34-139): stallions, geldings and mares by age and division with Grand and Reserve awards, plus showmanship, trail, western horsemanship, western pleasure, hunt seat and hunt seat equitation. Saturday is in Arena II.
- A Versatility Ranch Horse show ran the day before, Thursday, July 16, at 9 a.m. in Arena II.
Entry Fees
| Division | Per class | Flat fee per horse |
|---|---|---|
| Open, Amateur, Select, Amateur Level I | $28 | $100 |
| Youth, Youth Level I | $20 | $70 |
| Small Fry | $10 | $40 |
| Leadline | $10 | - |
Add an AQHA administration fee of $20 per horse per show, a $10 office charge per horse and stalls at $20 a night. All stalled horses must show, and bills are paid Saturday.
How It Works: The Timeline
- July 5, 2026Entries closed. Pre-registration is preferred.
- Friday, July 17, 8 a.m.Show opens, All Seasons Arena.
- Saturday, July 18, 8 a.m.Show continues in Arena II.
- Sunday, July 19, 9 a.m.Horses not checking out Saturday night must be out of their stalls. Stalls must be cleaned by 9 a.m. daily, and bedding is mandatory (it can be bought on the grounds).
Awards and Rules
The show offers awards and five ribbons. Prizes go to first place under one judge, chosen by coin toss. Out-of-state horses need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection with a negative Coggins (EIA) test from the past 12 months; South Dakota horses are exempt from the EIA requirement. Horses showing signs of contagious disease are dismissed. Horses may be ridden only in warm-up or indoor arenas. A protest needs a $100 deposit and must be filed within 48 hours. Refunds require a veterinary report before show time, with a 20 percent office fee deducted.
Where
North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot, ND. The open horse show stalls open after the Quarter Horse exhibitors finish.
Questions
Is there a youth division?
Yes: Youth, Youth Level I and Small Fry, plus a Leadline class.
Do I have to show if I stall?
Yes, all stalled horses must show.
Who do I call?
The fair office: (701) 857-7620. The show manager listed in the horse book is Jason Jensen and the secretary is Theresa Morlan.
Official Links
- 2026 horse book: classes, fees, 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.