The Nebraska State Fair

Extreme Trail Rider Challenge

August 30, 2026

ENTRIES ARE CLOSED!!! Please come and cheer on the riders.

SCHEDULE

DAY BEFORE: Saturday, August 29, 2026

Contestants may Arrive: 5:00pm – 10:00pm (You may also arrive the morning of)

5:00pm – Printed Course Maps are available in show office and PDF course maps are emailed to contestants.

DAY OF SHOW: SUNDAY, August 30, 2026

9:00 am Course 1: Walk-Through and Rider Questions

9:30 am Course 1: Start

1. Rookie (New, Green, Young, Amateur, Open) W/T

2. Novice W/T

3. Youth Competitive W/T/L

4. Novice Competitive W/T/L

5. Open Competitive W/T/L

6. Youth 12-18 Novice W/T

7. Youth 11 & under W/T

8. In-Hand (Open to all)

12:30 Course 2: Walk-Through and Rider Questions

1:00 Course 2: Start

9. Youth Competitive W/T/L

10. Novice Competitive W/T/L

11. Open Competitive W/T/L

4:30 Finals Course Walk-Through and Riders Questions

9. Youth Competitive W/T/L

10. Novice Competitive W/T/L

11. Open Competitive W/T/L

5:00 pm FINALS – EXTREME TRAIL RIDER CHALLENGE

12. Finals (Top 10 riders combined scores from classes 4/5/6 and 8/9/10)

Awards presentation after finals.

Horses dismissed after awards presentation.

RELEASE: Sunday, August 30 after the awards presentation

ALL OUT: Monday, August 31, Noon

HOW IT WORKS, PRIZES & ENTRY FEES

NON-COMPETITIVE CLASSES

Riders entering Walk Trot (W/T) Non-Competitive classes ride once in the morning.

Walk Trot Non-Competitive Classes are:

1. Rookie (New, Green, Young, Amateur, Open) W/T

2. Novice W/T

6. Youth 12-18 Novice W/T

7. Youth 11 & under W/T

8. In-Hand (Open to all)

Classes 1,2,6,7,8: Show on Course 1 once.
Walk/Trot Prizes: Prize for 1st and 2nd place, plus ribbons 1-8.

Walk/Trot Entry Fees:
- Class 1, 2, 8 (Non-competitive & In-Hand): $35
- Class 6, 7 (Youth): $30

COMPETITIVE CLASSES

Riders entering Competitive Classes – Walk Trot Lope (W/T/L) ride Course 1 in the morning and Course 2 in the afternoon.

The Top 10 riders (scores from Course 1 and Course 2 added together) compete in the finals.
- All entries will exhibit twice. Once on Course 1. Once on Course 2.
- PRIZES: Rosettes will be awarded on each course and each division, 1st – 8th place.
- The top 10 rider’s scores overall will come back to ride in the Finals.
- FINALS ROUND PRIZES:
  - A Champion and Reserve Champion Trophy Buckle
  - Rosettes 1st thru 10th
  - Premium Money will be awarded based on the scores of the FINAL ROUND.
    - Finals 1st Place: $300
    - 2nd Place: $250
    - 3rd Place: $150
    - 4th Place: $100
    - Prize money will be paid at the event.
- Course 1 & 2 maps will be available at 5:00 p.m. the day before the show in the show office and pdf emailed to email address provided when you enter. The course map for the Final Round will be available approximately 4:00 p.m. the day of the show.
Classes 3/4/5 & 9/10/11 are competitive.
- Course 1 (AM)
- 3. Youth Competitive W/T/L
  
  4. Novice Competitive W/T/L
  
  5. Open Competitive W/T/L
- Course 2 (PM)
- 9. Youth Competitive W/T/L
  
  10. Novice Competitive W/T/L
  
  11. Open Competitive W/T/L
You will enter once and ride course 1 & 2.
ENTRY FEES: Enter 3/9, 4/10, 5/11. Entry fee $75, includes both courses and finals if invited.

STATE FAIR FEES

STALLS

$15 per stall per night
$5 Tack Stall
You may “jump out” at no charge.

EXHIBITOR TICKETS

$5 Exhibitor Ticket, per day, per exhibitor
$25 Exhibitor Wristband, 11-day pass

VEHICLE PASS

$10 for Single Day
$25 for 5-Day, per Vehicle Pass.
Designated equine exhibitor parking areas will require a parking pass to be purchased.

State Fair Fees may be paid at the check-in booth when you arrive.

FEED & BEDDING

- Exhibitors will be permitted to bring onto the grounds feed, hay, and bedding for their animal. If you wish to purchase hay, feed, and bedding from the fair you can purchase it from Aurora Cooperative, which is a local Purina dealer. You can pre-order feed and additional bedding by contacting Aurora Cooperative at 308-750-6653. You can also visit their feed store during the State Fair.

HEALTH PAPERS

- Nebraska Horses: Health papers are NOT required. A veterinarian will inspect each horse when it arrives.
- Out-of-State Horses: Need a health certificate and coggins.

SCORING

Each obstacle is scored from 0 – 10. The score is based on horsemanship, the horse’s willingness, and fluidity of execution at each obstacle.
You have 30 seconds to complete each obstacle. After 30 seconds, the judge will ask you to move on. You cannot move on until the judge signals you on.
The course has a time limit. If you run out of time, a whistle will blow, and you will immediately leave the arena. You will receive points for the obstacles you have completed. Failure to leave is DQ (disqualification).
Each ride is timed. If you complete the course within the time limit, you will be eligible to receive “time-points”. The fastest ride receives 10 points. Rides within 20 seconds receive 9 points, rides within 40 seconds receive 8 points and so on.
Visit www.TrailRiderChallenge.com to view the full set of rules.

DIVISIONS

Each rider will compete in the division of their choice.

Divisions are:

Non-Competitive: Walk/Trot classes ride Course 1 only.

Rookie (New, Green, Young, Amateur, Open)
Novice – Do not train horses or teach lessons. Do not show at a national level. For beginner and amateur riders who are not finessed on a trail course.
Youth – 12-18 by January 1.
Youth 11 & under. If a youth needs assistance, that is acceptable. Youth without assistance place higher than youth with assistance.
In-Hand – Horse is shown at halter. Class is open to all. Horse may be also shown in a riding class.

Competitive: Walk/Trot/Lope classes. Ride Course 1 & 2. Top 10 are eligible for the finals.

Youth Competitive W/T/L – Your 18 & under
Novice Competitive W/T/L – Riders who do not train, teach lessons, ride at a national level, or win regularly at trail obstacle events.
Open Competitive

RULES

- Each horse may only be exhibited once.
  - Exceptions
  - Non-competitive Youth may ride a horse that has been previously shown on the course.
  - The In-Hand Class is open to all.
- A rider may enter more than one horse.
- By submitting an entry form, the exhibitor agrees to abide by the Nebraska State Fair General Livestock Information Rules and Regulations, Equine Information Rules, and Regulations at the Trail Rider Challenges rules available at www.TrailRiderChallenge.com. The exhibitor also agrees to abide by the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics.
- Trail Rider Challenge and Nebraska State Fair will not be responsible for any accident that may occur to be caused by any horse exhibited at the show or for any article of any kind of nature that may be lost or destroyed or in way damaged.
- The Trail Rider Challenge rules will be enforced.
- No person will be allowed in the show ring during the time of judging except those performing official duties.
- Riders must wear proper attire. Dress to ride in front of an audience. Long sleeve shirt, hat or helmet, jeans without holes and boots. English attire is welcome.

RESULTS

- inScores will be announced, and awards presented at the conclusion of the event.
- Results will be posted in the Trail Rider Challenge Facebook group – www.Facebook.com/groups/trailriderchallenge within 24 hours of completion of the event.
- Please check show results at https://www.statefair.org/competitions/equine-exhibitors.
- No results will be given by phone.