Meet Smokey — a compact, stocky 4-year-old gelding standing just under 14 hands with a great mind, solid start, and all the makings of your next great partner!

Meet Smokey — a compact, stocky 4-year-old gelding standing just under 14 hands with a great mind, solid start, and all the makings of your next great partner! While he’s on the shorter side, he’s built to carry weight and makes up for height with heart.

 

Smokey has spent the last three months with Olivia Van Beek as part of the 2025 Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge, learning how to be a calm, capable riding horse — and he’s rocking it! He’ll have at least 45 rides by the Finale on August 24th and is proving himself to be steady, smart, and willing.

 

Smokey’s current skill set:

 

Walk/trot/lope both directions

Fantastic stop

Soft in the face

Ground ties

Leads respectfully

Loads into a trailer

Stands tied

Good for the farrier

Accepts fly spray and wears fly gear

Calm, reliable, and willing to learn

 

Whether you're looking for a 4-H prospect, trail partner, or just a well-started all-around gelding, Smokey’s your guy. Just keep in mind — he’s short in stature but big in ability.

 

See him in person at the Dakota Showdown Finale on August 24, 2025 at the Yankton Rodeo Grounds!

 

Want to adopt? Apply now to be approved to bid:

https://www.dakotashowdown.com/adopt

Support #ShowdownTeamSmokey in the Fan Favorite Fundraiser!

 

Every $1 donated = 1 raffle entry in our wild white elephant-style prize giveaway at the Finale.

 

Donate here: https://givebutter.com/2025DakotaShowdownFanFavorite

Smokey is ready to go home with someone who sees his potential and doesn’t mind a little less height and a lot more heart.