South Dakota Top Hand Challenge

06/24/2024

the weather is looking fantastic for this coming weekend only 5 days away !!!

06/18/2024

Be sure to come HUNGRY!
https://www.facebook.com/berkesbbq?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Berks BBQ will be set up ready to serve !

We are pretty good at meat!

06/18/2024

Ranch Riding pattern for Saturday and Sunday !!

06/18/2024

Ranch Reining Pattern for Saturday

06/18/2024

Huge Shout out to Peer Built for all the panels being used for stalls and out working pens!!
you won't find a better company for fencing!
Quality, made by ranchers for ranchers for ranch use!!!
Affordability and outstanding customer service!
They will have portable panels available!
Light weight and durable!🤩

06/18/2024

Flow Photography
will be here all day BOTH days capturing amazing images for everyone!!
Stella Postma owner of Flow Photography specializes in ranch, livestock and equine photography, as well as family and senior bookings!

06/18/2024

Huge thank you to Tractor Supply Co.
For Sponsoring the weekend with over $1,000.00 in Gift cards and products!

06/18/2024

Check these out!!!!
We went with a New company for this years show and The Rowdy Rose did not disappoint us with these stunning buckles!!

04/24/2024

03/28/2024

🌟 🌟 🌟😱😱
Pre registration is open! closing registration at 70 entries!!

🌟💥💥This is one Weekend show you will not want to miss!

Great show for every level. Lots of fun and education for the entire family!

When- June 30( Ranch Show Sat June 29th
Where- Circle N Horsemanship Hartford SD

Cowboy Division 18 and older Men
Cowgirl Division 18 and older Women
LiL Britches Division anyone 17 and under

Contestant must compete in all 5 events on one horse
You may enter multiple times if you choose but entry fees will be applied for each horse.

Entry fee
Cowboy/Cowgirl $75.00
LiL Britches $60.00

Camping hook up $20.00/night
Stall $10.00/ night
****Limited Availability***

Registration
Message the page or call/text 920-495-9001

As a side not we will also be doing a Ranch horse show Saturday June 29th

Top Horse Awarded for the weekend must compete in both shows!

🤯😱 Winner Of Top Horse Award will be Awarded a 16" Ranch Roping saddle !!😱

10/12/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100095771732610/posts/134156679786723/?mibextid=XP3CsN

10/09/2023

Saturday
SDTH Ranch horse show

Open High point ( this was so close it was one point!)
Grand Champion Troy Nickel on Reba
Reserve Champion Juslain LuMaye on Rachel

Amateur High Point
Grand Champion Lonnie on Dot
Reserve Champion Allice on Smidget

Youth High point
Tucker on Turk
Renner on Doc

Sunday

Ranch Roping
(we even had to rope off’s as tie breakers for 1,2 & 3-6)

High point Spence on Black Jack 5 shots (20 points and winning the rope off)

Cowboy
1st Spence 5 shots (had rope off to win with 27.31 on catch)
2nd Troy Nickel 5 shots ( rope off time 30.91)
3rd Lonnie 3 shots ( rope off time 7.06)

Cowgirl
1st Allice 2 shots
2nd Crystal 1 shot
3rd Megan 2 (hoopla hoop)

Little Britches
1st Tucker 3 shots

Feedlot Penning
( sorting) this class was fun we had to change it up for the pens we had! Each person had two pens and an alley way they had to sort three numbers from one pen to the other with out trash open and close gates to pens!)

Fastest Time Allice on smidget 1.04

Cowboy
1st Troy 1.08
2nd Paul 1.12
3rd Spencer 1.36

Cowgirl
1st Allice 1.04
2nd McKenna 1.13
3rd Juslain 1.52

Lil Britches
1st Tucker 1.23
2nd Jaycee 1.59

Ranch Riding

High Score Lonnie on Dot 78 points

Cowboy
1st Lonnie score 78
2nd Troy score 75
3rd Paul score 67

Cowgirl
1st Allice 77
2nd Megan 76
3rd Juslain 72

Lil Britches
1st Tucker 61
2nd Jaycee 55

Trail
High Score Megan on Millie Perfectvscore of 100!!!!!

Cowboy
1st Lonnie 97
2nd Troy 94
3rd Shilo 90

Cowgirl
1st Megan 100
2nd Allice 97
3rd Juslain 96

Lil Britches
1st Tucker 92
2nd Jaycee 83

Barrels

Fastest Time MaKenna 33.50

Cowboy
1st Lonnie 34.00
2nd Brandon 35.72
3rd Shilo 37.18

Cowgirl
1st Makenna 33.50
2nd Megan 36.40
3rd Crystal 36.79

Overall Top hand

Cowboy( by only 1 point! These cowboys really battled it out today!)

Lonnie on Dot
Reserve Troy on Reba

Cowgirl
Allice on Smidget
Reserve Megan on Millie

Lil Britches
Tucker on Turk
Reserve Jaycee on Shady

Our overall Weekend Top Hand voted on by the judges !
Tucker on Turk
With an honorable mention to Megan and Millie

Our overall Top horse for the weekend
Dot shown by Lonnie
With an honorable mention to Racheal shown by Juslain

10/09/2023

Just a few of the awards from this weekend

10/09/2023

What an absolutely amazing weekend! First off the level of horsemanship, sportsmanship and stockmanship was outstanding! (We started this organization to not only provide a educational environment for all levels but to showcase a versatile horse and horseman. AND boy did the best ones come out and give it everything they had all weekend! )
Huge thank you to all the volunteers for putting in long hours leading up to this show and the cold, windy hours every morning we couldn’t do this with out your help!
To all of our sponsors who donated to make this show possible and a huge thank you to Dakota South and shilo for opening up there fantastic facility and hosting this weekend!
Flow Photography spent two full days photographing the event ( pictures and results to follow)
2 Rein Boutique for all the awards over 250 awards! And $250.00 in gift certificates handed out!

10/08/2023

Good Morning Today is the day! Top Hand Challenge Starts !
Day two is going to start off much warmer than yesterday !!

10/07/2023

Sneak peek 🫣 of the trail course!!!!

10/04/2023

there's going to be almost 200 Ranch horse show awards alone !!!! you don't want to miss out on some pretty cool things!!!

10/03/2023

Only a few days away!! WHO's ready!!!! Still have a few spots available for sundays top hand challenge! There's over $3,800.00 in prizes for the two days 😱

10/02/2023

RANCH CUTTING GUIDELINES:
There is a two and one half (21⁄2) minute time limit.
Time will begin when a rider crosses a timeline just prior to entering the herd (minimum of ten head). The rider will then quietly separate one cow from the herd and work the cow, with the exhibitor and horse showing their ability to keep the cow from the herd. Upon herd work completion, the cow shall be driven to the opposite end of the arena and penned.
A whistle will be blown at the one minute point to let exhibitor know that one and one half minutes remain to complete the run. A contestant will be disqualified if he fails to pen the cow at the end of 21⁄2 minutes, if the cow returns to the herd after it has been clearly separated from the herd or if the cow crosses back over the time/foul line when attempting to be penned.
The contestant may have up to four helpers during the cutting portion, two turn back riders and two herd holders. The helpers may not assist the contestant in penning the cow. Herd holders/turnback riders are in no way to assist exhibitor once they have called for cow or have crossed time/foul line. In doing so, they could cause exhibitor to be disqualified. This is left up to the discretion of judge if he deems it excessive.
The pen shall be placed on the side of the arena two-thirds of the way down the arena from the herd. Cow is not considered penned until the horse enters the wing area of the pen and whistle is blown. Show management may use either
Horse will not be penalized for reining during cutting portion, but should respond softly to rider’s cues, showing willingness to accept exhibitors directions as well as to display horse’s natural cow ability in controlling and driving the cow.
A horse that can perform all tasks of this class on a loose rein with minimal help from its rider shall be credited accordingly. h) Show management may supply two herd holders and two turn back riders, or exhibitors may supply their own helpers. If an exhibitor is a herd holder or turn back rider, he/she may use the horse they are competing on, or use a different horse.
1) Whistles and/or Horns to be blown at:
a) One minute mark (Announcer may call over PA).
b) Cow crosses back over time line after attempting to pen. c) Losing the cow back to the herd.
d) 21⁄2 minute at end of time.
e)*Completion of Run(judges discretion) *It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to keep engaging the cow until judge’s whistle is blown.
SECTION R-2. PENALTIES ONE POINT PENALTIES
a) Loss of working advantage by more than 1 horse length.
b) Gaping mouth when reined.
c) Excessive spurring or cuing.
d) Working out of position.
e) Toe, foot or stirrup on the shoulder.

THREE POINT PENALTIES 3.
a) Cattle picked up or scattered [when working cow].
b) Pawing or biting cattle.
c) Back Fence.
d) Excessive herd help driving cow by turn back beyond time/foul line per discretion of the judge.
FIVE POINT PENALTIES
a) Blatant disobedience
b) Spurring in front of the cinch.
c) Excessive herd help to be applied when the helpers keep cows from
going back to the herd.

-0– SCORE

a) Allowing cow to return to the herd after it is clearly separated OR
crosses back over the time/foul line after attempting to be penned. A *Cow is considered to be “back in the herd” when it touches another cow in the herd.
b) Horse turns tail to cattle.
c) falls to ground during any portion of the run. 6. d) Penning trash cow.

A) Illegal equipment
B)Excessive disturbance of herd to the point that the exhibitor is asked to leave the arena.
C) Roughing of livestock

SECTION R-4. CREDITS:
Credit will be given to those horses who demonstrate excellence in their herd work, driving and setting up the cow to cut, working in the center of the arena, and degree of difficulty of the cow drawn, within 21⁄2 (two and a half) minutes. Horses will not be penalized for reining during the cutting portion, but should respond softly to rider’s cues, showing williness to accept exhibitor’s directions as well as to display horse’s natural cow ability in controlling and driving the cow.
a) Quiet in the herd and smoothness of cut.
b) Degree of difficulty.
c) Time spent working.
d) Driving and controlling cow.
e) Softness/williness of horse.
f) Natural cow ability.
g) Horse & riders ability to work together.

09/27/2023

Sneak peak on some amazing awards being built!
6 saddle pads
2 mohair cinches
over 250 awards to be handed out over the weekend!!
There is still room to sighn up !

09/25/2023

Ranch Reining Saturday

Ranch Reining – In this class, a horse is evaluated on its maneuverability as it performs a set pattern that includes circles, lead changes, spins and stops.

1/2 Point Penalties:
A. Failure to remain more the 20 ft from fence when stopping or doing a rollback B. In run to end, failure to change leads by 1 stride
C. Starting a lope departure at a jog or exiting rollbacks up to 2 strides
D. Delaying lead change by 1 stride
E. Over or under spinning by 1/8 of a turn

1 point Penalties
A. Each time out of lead deduct 1 point/ accumulative for each 1/4 of circle. See RuleBook B. Over or under spinning by 1/4 turn
C. During rundown to end of arena, failure to change leads beyond 1 stride but prior
5 Point Penalties
A. Spurring in front of the cinch
B. Use of free hand to instill fear or praise C. Holding Saddle with free hand
D. Kicking Out

-0– Score
A. Failure to complete pattern
B. Performing Maneuvers in unspecified order
C. Inclusion of additional maneuvers. Ex. Backing more
than 2 strides.
D. Equipment failure when deemed unsafe.
E. Balking or running away
F. Jogging more than 1/2 circle or 1/2 arena length while Starting a circle, circle, or executing rollback
G. Over spins of more than 1/4 turn
H. Fall to ground by horse or rider
I. More than one finger between reins
J. Blatant disobedience
K. Failure to trot in on trot in pattern.

2 Point Penalties

A. Break of gait
B. During the run around the end of arena, failure to Change leads beyond half way around
C. Jogging beyond 2 strides, but less than 1/2circle
Or 1/2 the arena
D. Failure to go beyond markers
E. Freezing up in spins or rollbacks
F. On trot in patterns, loping before reaching the center of arena and failure to stop before executing a lope departure.

Faults not to be considered disqualifications but should be scored according to severity:
A. Crooked stops & backs B. Anticipated stops
C. Uncontrollable speed D. Wringing of tail
E. Knocking over markers
F. Failure to run pattern within markers
G. Failure to go past markers on said pattern H.Opening mouth, raising head on stops and turns

MANEUVER SCORES
–11⁄2 Extremely Poor, -1 Very Poor, -1⁄2 Poor, 0 Correct, +1⁄2 Good, +1 Very Good, +11⁄2 Excellent

09/25/2023

Ranch riding pattern for Sat & Sunday

Ranch Riding
This class measures a horse’s ability to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. The horse and rider are asked to perform a pattern that includes changes of gait, extension of gait, stops, turn around and back up. All maneuvers should be performed as if the horse were being used on a ranch, and the horse should demonstrate a high level of training, relaxation and quality of movement in all gaits.
Each maneuver is scored 0-10 10 being excellent 0 being not attempted.

08/18/2023

This weekend is going to be Epic, Action packed, friendly competition and a great opportunity for learning come on out and enjoy the show!

08/18/2023

Join us for two full days!
Day one South Dakota Top Hand Challenge Ranch Horse Show and day 2 our Top Hand Challenge!
There is something for everyone and every level!

08/18/2023

🌟 🌟 🌟😱😱
Pre registration is open! closing registration at 100 entries!!

🌟🌟🌟💥🌟💥💥This is one show you will not want to miss!
Great show for every level. Lots of fun and education for the entire family! Come join us Sunday October 8th 💥⚡️⚡️

Cowboy Division 18 and older Men
Cowgirl Division 18 and older Women
LiL Britches Division anyone 17 and under

Contestant must compete in all 5 events on one horse
You may enter multiple times if you choose but entry fees will be applied for each horse.

Entry fee
Cowboy/Cowgirl $75.00
LiL Britches $50.00

Camping hook up $35.00/night
Stall $10.00/ night
For stalls or camping contact Lori 605-770-8295

Registration
Message the page or call/text 920-495-9001

As a side not we will also be doing a Ranch horse show Saturday October 7th more details to follow!

07/29/2023

Well We have an Announcement!!

Mark your calendar 🗓️!

the next top hand date will be October 8th!!
We will also be doing a ranch horse show Oct 7! Stay tuned for more information!!

06/15/2023

just a few pictures of awards!! feel free to share photos of you guys using the awards!!!