Ride Under the Bright Lights of the San Diego County Fair!
Get ready for an event like no other! The Mudslingers is proud to announce that our annual Summer Showdown will be held at the world-renowned San Diego County Fairgrounds.
Join us for the Mudslingers Summer Showdown @ The Fair on Wednesday, June 17th, and Thursday, June 18th, 2026, at the prestigious Del Mar Arena. This is your chance to compete at an iconic venue, experience the thrill of the Fair and ride for incredible prizes!
Registration:
Registration IS CLOSED.
Event Highlights:
- Dates: Wednesday, June 17th & Thursday, June 18th, 2026
- Location: Del Mar Arena, San Diego County Fairgrounds
- Competition: 2 days of riding, 8 patterns, 4 match races
- Prizes: 67 buckles and thousands in cash prizes
- Unique Experience: Ride in front of thousands of Fair-goers in a truly festive atmosphere
What’s Included for Riders:
Your all-inclusive registration fee covers:
- Show registration for all 8 events across both days.
- Grounds fees.
- Match races if eligible.
- 3 nights of stalls (Tuesday, June 16th arrival through Friday, June 19th departure).
- 4 Fair tickets (2 per day for Wednesday & Thursday).
- 2 parking passes (1 per day for Wednesday & Thursday).
- Camping will be an additional fee of $60/ night.
- We apologize, there will be NO tent camping permitted on the grounds.
Additional Fair Passes, Parking & Camping Spots can be found here:
https://sdcf.festivalpro.com/form/FdqLtSAkrmOmtnNKOHuJ/0
Additional Passes and parking sign-ups close on June 12th!
Registration Fees:
- Mudslingers Members: $295
- Non-Members: $325
Competition & Awards:
- 67 Buckles Awarded: Including cumulative show placings (1st-5th across 7 divisions), fastest times in 4 specific “buckle” patterns (across 7 divisions) and winners of each of the 4 match races.
- $10,500 in Total Cash Prizes: Cash awarded to top five finishers in the overall show cumulative standings across 7 divisions PLUS a buckle!
Schedule Snapshot (Tentative):
- Tuesday, June 16th: Rider & horse arrival (3-6 PM), stall assignments, evening flag team practice.
- Wednesday & Thursday, June 17th & 18th:
- 11:00 AM: Fair gates open, pre-show engagement with fairgoers, emcees active, flyer distribution.
- 12:00 PM: Grand Entry with Flag Performance & National Anthem.
- 12:40 PM – 1:10 PM: Pattern set-up.
- 1:10 PM – 6:00 PM: Main competition patterns and engaging “Fun Races” for public participation (e.g., Hobby Horse, Three-legged races).
- 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Arena drag and match race set-up.
- 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Evening Match Races.
- 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Thursday only: Awards ceremony.
- Afterward: Ride some rides and enjoy the Fair!
- Friday, June 19th: Horse departure by 8 AM.
Arena Logistics & Amenities:
- Del Mar Arena: Experience riding in a world-class facility with incredible ground and spectator facilities.
- Warm-Up Arena: Spacious and conveniently located near the main arena.
- Spectator Engagement: Our dedicated emcees will provide live play-by-play commentary, making the show exciting for seasoned equestrians and first-time fairgoers. We’ll be collecting info from our riders about themselves and their horses to help our emcees narrate the show.
- Reserved Seating Boxes: Available for show staff (Secretary, Announcers, Emcees, Timewriters), Judges Lounge, Sponsors and Media/Influencers.
- The Speakeasy: Enjoy the show from a unique vantage point at the new speakeasy bar located on the east side of the arena!
- Seated Dining: A dedicated area with tables and chairs for rider families will be set up on the north end of the arena.
- Professional Sound & Lighting: Fair’s professional sound system, dedicated sound technician and ample lighting for evening events.
Important Rider Information:
- Rider Cap: Limited to 80 riders to ensure efficiency and quality. Mudslingers members will receive priority registration.
- Stall Requirements: Riders must bring their own feed, shavings, hoses and buckets. Manure disposal location will be confirmed upon arrival.
- Prohibited Items: Motorized vehicles (e.g., golf carts), e-bikes (except Mudslingers staff) and dogs are strictly prohibited within the show areas.
- Trailer Parking: Designated areas for horse trailers will be provided.
Lodging (for the non-camper):
Our lovely Fundraising Chairperson, Carrie, secured us some discounted room rates at the hotel right next door to the fairgrounds! You can book a room from the below link:
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/sandmhf-902-be5a4983-d5bf-4415-baf6-0ff4593037ab
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Interested in supporting this premier equestrian event and gaining exposure to thousands of Fair attendees? We offer various sponsorship levels, including Barrel, Buckle, T-shirt, Swag Bag, Flag and Banner sponsorships. More information to come.
