Foal University is a division for our younger horses - and even trainers!
This division is open to anyone and chosen trainers can work with their baby at the Gentle Spirit Horses farm OR take it home for the summer. This division is for curious horses 2 and under and will focus on working with their natural young curiosity to help them learn the basics of ground work and build their confidence through exposure. We encourage all Foundation level training including introducing tack, blankets, and ponying along with other horses.
These youngsters cannot be started under saddle and care should be taken with the amount of lunge/round pen work to protect their tendons and growth.
The horses will be a the Finale but in a non-competitive role, meeting potential adopters and hopefully confident enough to be lead around the grounds and shown off. HOWEVER there is a potential that it could become a competitive division with a trail obstacle course and potential freestyle depending on how all the Divisions play out and how confident the trainers in this division are. Stay tuned!
The Trainer Application is open until April 1, 2024, and trainers will be able to pick up their horse between May 1-16, 2024. The Dakota Showdown Finale is scheduled for August 24-25 in Yankton, SD, where the teams will showcase their progress and the horses will be available for adoption through an auction process to pre-approved adopters.