march 20, 2027
Bringing together the best of the best
Nutrien Western Event Centre - Calgary Stampede Grounds
with presenting partner
8
1
SHOWDOWN
TEAMS
OUR MISSION IS TO CELEBRATE CANADIAN WESTERN PERFORMANCE HORSE SPORT by creating a premier stage for cutting, reining, and working cow horse. The Showdown is where excellence meets tradition, inspiring future generations and uniting our equine community.
REINING
Reining is a judged event that showcases the athleticism, precision, and responsiveness of the ranch horse in a show arena setting. Riders guide their horses through a pre-selected pattern featuring a series of controlled yet high-energy maneuvers that highlight both finesse and power.
Each run includes elements like slow and fast circles, lead changes, rollbacks, and precise 360-degree spins performed in place. The performance builds to the discipline’s most iconic move — the thrilling sliding stop — where horse and rider come together in a dramatic display of speed, control, and trust.
At The Showdown, reining is elevated in a team-based, high-stakes environment, where every maneuver contributes to the overall team score.
CUTTING
Cutting is a judged western event that highlights a horse’s instinct, agility, and ability to control cattle with minimal rider input. In each 2½-minute run, horse and rider work as a team to separate individual cows from the herd and prevent them from returning — a true test of focus, precision, and cow sense.
Each contestant must complete at least two cuts, including one drawn from deep within the herd. After selecting a cow and bringing it clear, the rider drops their rein hand, giving the horse freedom to take over. From that moment on, it’s the horse’s job to anticipate and mirror the cow’s every move, holding it away from the herd with speed, balance, and instinct.
At The Showdown, cutting becomes a fast-paced, high-pressure display of skill and strategy, where every move counts and a single cow can make all the difference.
COWHORSE
Working cowhorse is the ultimate test of a horse’s versatility, combining precision, power, and cow sense in one complete performance. In this judged event, horse and rider compete in two phases — the reined work and the cow work — showcasing both refined arena skills and real-world cattle handling ability.
The reined work highlights control and athleticism through circles, spins, and sliding stops, while the cow work brings intensity as the pair boxes a cow at the end of the arena, turns it along the fence, and drives it at speed in both directions. Each phase demands accuracy, timing, and a deep connection between horse and rider.
At The Showdown, working cowhorse delivers high-energy, edge-of-your-seat action, where adaptability and grit shine, and every run plays a crucial role in the team’s success.
