<<2026 Patterns will be posted here>>

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!!! Sign up HERE!

2026 Tentative Schedule:

Overall & High Point Awards 
Overall High Point Champion & Reserve Champion for each age division
Champion & Reserve Champion Ranch Horse Versatility
Champion & Reserve Champion Western
Champion & Reserve Champion English
Champion & Reserve Champion, 3rd place – Overall Mustang 19&Over
Champion & Reserve Champion, 3rd place – Overall Mustang Youth

• Overall and High Point Awards will be calculated as a horse and rider combo.
• Rider must compete in Showmanship to be eligible for Overall Champion awards (not required for Ranch Horse Versatility, Western or English High Point awards).
• Rider must compete in at least one Western and one English class to be eligible for Overall Champion awards.
• Showmanship placing will be used in the event of a tie for Overall Champion awards. Western Horsemanship/English Equitation will be used in the event of a tie for High Point Western and English, respectively

Overall Champion for each division will be awarded trophy saddles!

Thank you to our 2026 saddle sponsors!
— Elk River Pet & Ranch, Steamboat Springs, CO
— Mesa Equestrian Center, Steamboat Springs, CO
— Wandering Creek Ranch, Steamboat Springs, CO
— Routt County-Colorado

Entries made online July 26-August 6 will incur a $25 late fee.
Entries at show $35 late fee.

NEW! This year the Routt County Open Horse Show will also be managing the 2026 Routt County Fair & 4-H/FFA Ranch Horse Versatility Show, on August 7, 2026. Placings will count towards Overall Champion awards. Limited entries, so sign up by July 25th. First come, first served.

• Other new events include a Routt County Under the Lights Special event, featuring Jumping, including a Gambler’s Choice class! (Not scored for Overall awards).

The Routt County Open Horse Show will follow the AQHA Rulebook with the following exceptions:

• Hunt coats will NOT be required in English classes
• English Versatility will follow the APHA Rulebook guidelines for that specific class
• Additional Exceptions: see rule SHW305:5 in 2026 AQHA Rule Book: “Horses of any age may be shown one or two-handed with a legal snafflebit/hackamore; for horses shown in a legal curb/shank bit, only one hand may be used on the reins, and the hand must not be changed (except during trail class obstacles.”
• See 2026 SHW454.5 in AQHA Rule book: All Western Riding Classes will be judged per Level 1/Rookie Classes, in which case more than 4 simple lead changes are allowed without disqualification.

Riders may not cross enter divisions. For example, a Walk Trot rider may not enter any 13 & Under classes and a Leadline entry may not enter any other division.