What the State Fair Draft Horse Show Is
The Classic Draft Horse Show closes out the South Dakota State Fair each year. Teams and single draft horses are judged at halter in the morning and then driven in the afternoon, all in the Hippodrome. It is run by the fair's horse department with support from the South Dakota Draft Horse and Mule Breeders Association. The show is the designated qualifying show for the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America Merit program, and the corporation provides certificates to all junior entrants in both halter and driving.
Classes
Halter
Division 1 covers Belgians, Percherons, Clydesdales and open classes, with lots by breed and age: weanling, yearling, two-year-old and three-year-old stallions, aged stallions (4 and over), and matching lots for mares and geldings, plus grand and reserve champion lots. There is also an open all-draft-breeds, all-ages lot, and a grand and reserve supreme champion class. Registration papers are required for halter lots, and a horse entered in the all-draft-breed lot cannot be entered in any other breed lot.
Youth showmanship
Showmanship is split into 13 and under, and 14 to 18.
Driving performance
Driving lots include men's, ladies' and open draft cart, four-up and six-up hitches, unicorn hitches, open draft team hitch, farm team hitch, and men's and ladies' team hitches. Light horse and pony hitches (no large drafts) and single mini or pony classes have their own lots. Youth classes include youth team hitch (12 and under, and 14 to 18) and youth cart (12 and under, and 13 to 18). Obstacle, cloverleaf and poles lots are offered for single and team. Safety rules require that horses never be left unattended while hitched, that all multiple hitches carry a groom, and that drivers under 12 be accompanied by an adult.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2026 Edition)
| Item | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Online entry deadline | Friday, August 21, 2026 |
| Halter check-in | Monday, September 7, 2026, 8 a.m., Hippodrome |
| Halter classes | Monday, September 7, 2026, 10 a.m. |
| Driving classes | Monday, September 7, 2026, 1 p.m. |
The next edition has not been announced; the 2027 State Fair runs September 1 to 6, 2027.
How to Enter and Rules
- Entries are online only, not by telephone. Register at the fair's online entry system, enter one entry per horse, choose your stall fees and pay online.
- The owner's name on the entry must match the breed registration papers, and copies of registration papers and membership must be provided at the show.
- Age is computed as of January 1, and horses must be owned by the exhibitor from the time entries are made.
- Walk-in entries are accepted only two classes before the class being entered.
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days of arrival must go with each animal.
- Refunds are possible only if requested in writing two weeks before the fair opens, with a reason.
- All exhibitors agree to the IAFE Code of Show Ring Ethics when registering.
Fees, Premiums and What You Get
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Halter lots | $9 per class |
| Performance lots | $13 per class |
| Youth performance lots | $9 per class |
| Draft horse stall | $45 Thursday to Sunday, $30 Monday |
Premiums are paid on a sliding scale and a class needs at least three entries to pay out. A class of 3 to 6 horses pays $23, $15 and $10 for first to third. A class of 7 to 10 pays $38, $30, $23, $15 and $8 for first to fifth. A class of 11 or more pays $53, $45, $38, $30 and $23. Halter premiums are paid from entry fees only, driving classes carry added prize money, and banners and ribbons go to winners.
Where
Hippodrome, South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350. Horses enter at Gate 4 on the northeast side. Fair office: 605-353-7340.
Questions
Do I need registration papers?
Yes for halter lots. The owner on the entry has to match the papers.
Can a child show?
Yes. There are showmanship classes for ages 13 and under and 14 to 18, plus youth cart and team hitch classes.
Can I bring a light horse or pony?
In the driving classes, yes, in the lots marked light horse or pony with no large drafts.
Where do stall questions go?
To the horse superintendent, Della Amdahl, whose number is printed in the 2026 book as 605-350-0955.
Official Links
- 2026 horse exhibitor and participant book: classes, fees, rules and schedule
- 2026 State Fair event guide: Monday, September 7 at 10 a.m.
- South Dakota State Fair
Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
South Dakota's three marquee events are the State Fair in Huron, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, and the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood.
State Fair
Held in Huron over Labor Day weekend: September 2-7 in 2026 and September 1-6 listed for 2027. 4-H and FFA members show beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits and poultry. 4-H deadlines are firm: enrollment May 31, ID and DNA June 1, YLL July 1, FairEntry August 1.
Black Hills Stock Show
Established in 1959 in Rapid City, listed for January 29 to February 6, 2027, with about 120 livestock, horse and rodeo events. Youth Day on February 6, 2027 offers judging, Skillathon, Hippology and a Beef Cook-Off.
Days of '76
A PRCA rodeo in Deadwood in late July, with free parades on Main Street Friday and Saturday.
Read the full guide: Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were Dec. 10-11, 2025, the 110th convention. Family farmers and ranchers gather in Huron for policy sessions that guide the organization.
Huron, SD | Organizer: South Dakota Farmers Union Official event details - South Dakota 4-H State Horse Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-15, 2026. Youth compete in showmanship, equitation, reining, barrel racing and pole bending, plus hippology and horse judging contests.
- Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days
Huron hosted Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days July 27-29, 2026, where clubs such as the Wolsey Cardinal Clovers earned awards for project and livestock exhibits.
Huron, SD | Organizer: SDSU Extension Beadle County 4-H Official event details - South Dakota State Fair
South Dakota State Fair in Huron ran September 2 to 7, 2026, with livestock shows, 4-H state competitions, ranch rodeo and timed event rodeo. Held each year around Labor Day.
- South Dakota State Fair FFA Livestock Shows
Held each year; the most recent dates were Sept. 5-7, 2026. FFA members exhibit breeding and market sheep, meat goats, rabbits, swine, dairy cattle and dairy goats in the State Fair barns at Huron.
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.