2026 South Dakota Summer Spotlight Cattle Rulebook
General Spotlight Rules
1. Open to South Dakota residents & those enrolled in SD 4-H & FFA
2. Exhibitor age follows breed specific rules
3. All cattle will enter through the ShowmanApp
4. Entry fees are non-refundable
5. Health Papers required
6. All cattle will stall in DEX
7. No generators outside of the DEX
8. No tack, feed or equipment on the outside walls or end caps of the DEX
9. You can register the same animal in multiple breeds, but you have to declare which breed you will be showing in before the end of check in.
10. Questions and check-in will go through your breed representatives listed below
11. For each breed exhibitors have entered in, they can participate in that breeds showmanship contest
12. Peewee showmanship will now happen in each respective breed. Please reach out to your breed rep to see if they will be hosting a class for peewee showmanship.
TENTATIVE 2026 SUMMER SPOTLIGHT SCHEDULE: JULY 23-26
Thursday July 23, 2026
6 a.m. - DEX doors open for tack and cattle (Nothing allowed prior to this time)
Stalling & Tieouts will be a 1st come 1st serve basis. DEX bedding will NOT be provided. A base bedding will be provided in tieouts.
3 p.m. - Livestock Judging Check-In DEX
3:30 p.m. - Livestock Judging Contest - DEX
6-8 p.m. - Cattle Check-In (Breed Representatives will handle each breed check-in)
Friday, July 24, 2026
10:30 a.m. - Showmanship (Order below)
Top 5 Overall selection of Senior, Junior & Beginner showman will happen 10 minutes following the end of the last breed show.
Saturday July 25, 2026
9 a.m. - Cattle Show Starts (Order below)
Top 5 Overall selection of Breeding heifer & Market Animal will happen 10 minutes following the end of the last breed show. Both Grand & Reserve breed champion heifer & steer will parade through the ring.
Cattle and tack must be moved out of DEX by MIDNIGHT.
SHOW RING ORDER FOR SHOWMANSHIP- 10:30 Friday, July 24th
Top 5 overall showmanship will follow the completion of the final division. Grand Champion showman for each age division will represent that breed in the selection for overall top 5 Senior, Junior & Beginner.
NEW THIS YEAR: PeeWee showmanship will be held within breeds, if they so choose to have a class.
WEST RING:
Hereford
Mini Hereford
EAST RING:
Simmental
Shorthorn
Gelbvieh Charolais
Angus Red Angus
Crossbred Chianina
Limousin
Maine-Anjou
SHOW RING ORDER FOR BREED SHOWS- 9 a.m. Saturday, July 25th
Heifers who first, followed by steers in each breed. Cattle shows will follow each other with a 10 minute bread in between breeds. Champion & Reserve breed champions will parade through the ring for selection of the Top 5 heifers & market animals.
WEST RING:
Hereford Futurity
EAST RING:
Simmental Futurity
Hereford Simmental
Mini Hereford
Shorthorn
Gelbvieh Charolais
Angus Futurity
Red Angus
Angus Chianina
Commercial Heifer Limousin
Mkt Heifers & Crossbred Steers
Maine-Anjou
BREED INFORMATION:
ANGUS
Exhibitors must be ages of 7-21 as of January 1 of the current year.
Eligible Heifer Ages: Born September 1, 2024 & After - Before May 1, 2026
No Cow/Calf Pairs
All registration papers must be in the juniors name only. NO FARM/FAMILY names allowed. Showmanship Order will be Senior, Junior, Beginner, PeeWee
BREED REPS:
Dustin & Jeana Hurlbut - 605-880-7601 - jeanamhurlbut@yahoo.com
Chris & Erica Styles - 605-887-3657 - cestyles@nvc.net
ANGUS FUTURITY
Eligible Heifer Ages: Born September 1, 2024 & After - Before May 1, 2026
Registered Angus Steers will show by weight - weights will be declared No Cow/Calf Pairs
Registered Angus Steers
All registration papers must be in the juniors name only. NO FARM/FAMILY names allowed.
FUTURITY REPS:
Jade Jandel - 605-460-1714
The Angus Futurity show held during the Summer Spotlight is sponsored by the SDAA. The following rules must be met to be eligible to show:
1. The heifer and steers first owner must be a current SDAA member. If the registrations papers first owner is listed as an individual, the individual must be a member. If the first owner is listed as a farm, that farm must be listed as a member.
2. All heifers & steers must have ownership transferred to a sole SDJAA member who is showing the animal that day. A SDAA board member must approve any substitutions if the junior listed is unable to show.
3. Only one heifer or steer entry per junior exhibitor.
4. Altering the confirmation and appearance of an animal is prohibited. Other prohibited products include steroids, illegal pharmaceutical or artificial filling.
5. In being association with a jackpot show, the use of black paint and other aerosols are accepted.
6. All decisions made by the SDAA Board of Directors. Are final.
CHAROLAIS/COMPOSITE
ELIGIBLE HEIFER AGES: BORN SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 + AFTER - BEFORE MAY 1, 2026
COW/CALF PAIRS MAY BE ENTERED + CONTEND FOR BREED CHAMPION/TOP 5 OVERALL
All Charolais steers must be 50% Charolais with AICA registration papers. All Charolais Composite heifers must be 50% Charolais with AICA registration papers.
CHANGES TO FITTING RULES:
For the breed show on Saturday - Charolais Females, Charolais Composite Female + Charolais Steers may only fit tops, tailheads and tail balls.
NOTE: If an animal shows up fully fit, it will be sent back and not allowed to go through the ring. For the final drive, the AlCA approved the use of paint and powder last year at the national level, therefore you are now allowed to do so here.
Animals may be fully fit for final drive.
BREED REPRESENTATIVE
STETSON ESCHENBAUM 605.203.2040 // stetsoneschenbaum40@gmail.com
CHIANINA
Eligible heifer ages: Born September 1 2024 & After - Before May 1, 2026
All Chianina steers must be out of a registered chi bull or cow. All heifers with American Chianina Association registration papers are welcome, as long as they are registered.
No cow/Calf Pairs
Exhibitor Ages: 6-21 years of age as of Jan 1 2026
Showmanship Order: Senior (ages 15-21), Junior (ages 11-14), Beginner (ages 6-10)
Chianina breed WILL NOT have a peewee showmanship division
BREED REPS:
Halley Becking - (605) 880-4363 - halleybecking@gmail.com
COMMERCIAL/MARKET HEIFER/CROSSBRED STEERS
Eligible Heifer Ages: Born September 1, 2024 & After - Before May 1, 2026
No Cow/Calf Pairs
Crossbred Steers & Market Heifers will be shown by declared weight and must be turned in no later than 8:00 pm Thursday night
Commercial Heifers will show by age.
BREED REPS:
Matt & Melissa Johnson - 712-540-1615 or 605-553-3691 - matthew.johnson@mheby.com or melissa.johnson@poet.com
GELBVIEH/BALANCER
ELIGIBLE HEIFER AGES: BORN SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 + AFTER - BEFORE MAY 1, 2026
COW/CALF PAIRS MAY BE ENTERED + CONTEND FOR BREED CHAMPION/TOP 5 OVERALL
All Gelbvieh steers must be must be 25% Gelbvieh with registration papers. Females that are 75% or more Gelbvieh will show in the Gelbvieh division.
Females that are less than 75% Gelbvieh, but 25% or more will show as Balancers.
BREED REPRESENTATIVES
CODY FORBES 605/983-5701 // forbesbros.livestock@hotmail.com
TREY STRUCK 605/360-1651 // treyjstruck@gmail.com
HEREFORD
Eligible heifer ages: Born September 1 2024 & After - Before May 1, 2026
Cow/Calf Pairs may be entered + contend for Breed Champion/Top 5 Overall. Calf must be her natural calf and no more than 240 days in age as of the day of the show. Calves must be registered with the AHA. Calves shown as part of a Cow/Calf pair must pay a separate entry fee if you wish to exhibit the calf as an individual.
Steers must be registered or have a certificate. Each entry must be owned solely by the junior exhibitor(s) and in his/ her recorded ownership before June 1. Siblings may jointly own animals, provided all are current members and meet JNHE age requirements. No animal is eligible to compete if recorded in joint ownership (other than the sibling rule and bred and owned bull rule), and no joint ownership with farm name or family name.
Exhibitors must be 7 years old and not yet 22 years old by January 1, of the current year.
Showmanship Order: Senior (ages 14-21), Junior (ages 11-13), Beginner (ages 8-10)( PeeWee 3-7)
Breed Reps
Email: sdjrhereford@gmail.com
Dawn Covey - 605-840-1334
Calah Risse - 605-840-0951
Lane & Emily Peterson - 605-870-6220 or 515-443-4465
Lindsey Wolles Herr - 605-496-2487
HEREFORD FUTURITY
SDHA Heifer Futurity Held each year prior to the Heifer/Steer Specials. Only heifers purchased in the 2025 Excellence Sale and 2026 Watertown Winter Farm Show are eligible to compete. Grand Champion wins $1000, Reserve Champion wins $500, with all exhibitors leaving the ring with a cash prize. 4-H Code of Ethics will apply. SDHA Steer Futurity Held each year prior to the Heifer/Steer Specials. Only steers purchased in the 2025 Excellence Sale are eligible to compete. Grand Champion wins $1000, Reserve Champion wins $1000, with all exhibitors leaving the ring with a cash prize. 4-H Code of Ethics will apply.
Contact Breed Manager at Manager@southdakotaherefords.org
LIMOUSIN/LIM-FLEX
Eligible Heifer ages: Born September 1, 2024 + After - Before May 1, 2026
Cow/Calf Pairs maybe entered, and contend for breed champion & Top 5 Overall
Females that are 75% Limousin/25% or more any other breed except Angus/Red Angus will show in the Limousin division. Females that are 76% Limousin/24% Angus/Red Angus will show in the Limousin division. Females that are at least 25% - 75% Limousin /75% - 25% Angus/Red Angus or more will show as Lim-Flex.
*NOTE: Will clarify breed differences at check-in if necessary
BREED REPS:
Meghan & PJ Torgerson - 530-301-8688 or 605-350-7588 - mehauck3r@gmail.com
MAINE-ANJOU/MAINETAINER
Eligible Heifer ages: Born September 1, 2024 – Before June 1 2026
No Cow/Calf Pairs
Animals must be owned by the Junior, Junior’s family, or have a valid 4-H lease in place. Please bring registration paper and Proof of ownership/lease with you to check-in.
All Maine-Anjou Steers must be 25% Maine-Anjou with registration papers.
Females registered as 75% or more Maine-Anjou will show in the Maine-Anjou Division
All registered females less than 75% Maine Anjou but 25% or more will show as MaineTainers
Note: Registered Maine-Angus females, 3/8 to 5/8 will continue to be shown in the MaineTainer division. Past entries have not been enough to create another division.
Exhibitor Ages: 8-21 years of age as of Jan 1 2026
Showmanship Order: Senior (ages 14-21), Junior (ages 11-13), Beginner (ages 8-10)
Following SDJPSA Showmanship age divisions. Maine-Anjou breed WILL NOT have a peewee showmanship division.
Breed Representative
Chuck Ringkob 605-470-0010 // parvcattleco@venturecomm.net
MINIATURE HEREFORDS
Eligible Heifer and Steer ages: Born September 1, 2024 – Before June 1 2026
No Cow/Calf Pairs No animals older than September 1, 2024 allowed on the grounds.
Animals must be owned by the Junior, Junior’s family, or have a valid 4-H lease in place. Please bring registration paper and Proof of ownership/lease with you to check-in. Must have valid AHA registration papers in order to show both heifers and steers, no pending registrations will be accepted. Steers to be weighed in at check-in. The following height guidelines will be utilized to
insure cattle are of the miniature standard: heifer height maximum 45 inches, steer height maximum 48 inches.
Exhibitor Ages: 8-21 years of age as of Jan 1 2026
Showmanship Order: Senior (ages 14-21), Junior (ages 11-13), Beginner (ages 8-10)( PeeWee 3-7, showmanship only.)
Sheryl Erickson 605-380-8291 sjerickson@nvc.net
Stephanie Stevens 605-770-4406 stevens_gs@hotmail.com
RED ANGUS/COMPOSITE
● Junior must be at least 8 years old as of the day of the show and no older than 21 on January 1st the year of the show. Under 8 years old can do PeeWee showmanship only.
● Animal must be owned by the Junior, Junior’s family, or have a valid 4-H lease in place. Proof of ownership/lease must be provided when checking in the day of the show.
● Purebred females must be Category 1A or 1B without any disqualifying characteristics with registration paper presented at check-in.
● Market Beef must be registered and registration paper presented at check-in.
● Market beef must be a minimum 50% Red Angus and CANNOT be black in color.
● Purebred Cow/Calf pairs are eligible for the show. Both cow and calf must have registration papers presented at check-in.
● Showmanship ages are: PeeWee (showmanship only) 7 & Under, Beginner 8-10, Junior 1113, Senior 14-21
● SD Junior Red Angus Association annual dues are $10 and must be paid at check-in.
● Senior Showmanship winner at Spotlight must accept or deny the U-Fit-It invite by the end of Spotlight.
● Composite Female Rules:
○ Must be registered with the Red Angus Association of America as Category 2 or 3. Paper must be presented at check-in.
○ May only show in one breed's respective Junior Show
○ Sire or dam must be registered Red Angus
○ Must be no less than 50% Red Angus
○ Must be polled (a scurred animal is considered polled if you choose not to remove the scurrs. If you surgically or mechanically remove the scurrs, you will be disqualified)
○ Must be red hided. For example, Charolais/Red Angus Cross (range fires). NO black hided or black animals allowed.
○ Percentage females must be under 2 years of age.
● An advisory committee consisting of SDRAA officers and directors present at said show will make the final decision on any breed rule discrepancies in question.
Breed Rep: Amanda Larsen (605)350-0076 amanda_larsen@live.com
SHORTHORN/SHORTHORNPLUS
Exhibitors must be ages of 8-21 as of January 1 of the current year. Eligible Heifer Ages: Born September 1, 2024 & After - Before May 1, 2026 No Cow/Calf Pairs
All ShorthornPlus steers must be 25% Shorthorn with ASA registration papers. All ShorthornPlus heifers must be 50% Shorthorn with ASA registration papers. Heifers and steers purchased at the Watertown Winter Farm Show are eligible to compete for the Comeback Heifer and Steer of the Year Award.
BREED REPS:
Kelsey Becking - 605-956-0143 - beckinglk@gmail.com
Jake Nikkel - 316-573-6922 - nikkelbros64@gmail.com
SIMMENTAL/PERCENTAGE SIMMENTAL
Breed Reps:
Ashley Werning (605) 310-7147
Laura Tostenson (507) 822-3171
Email: sdsimmental@gmail.com
• Exhibitors must be ages of 8-21 as of January 1 of the current year.
• Eligible Heifer Ages: Born after September 1, 2024 and Before May 1, 2026
• Cow/Calf pairs may be entered + contend for Breed Champion/Top 5 Overall
• All Simmental steers must be at least ½ Simmental with ASA papers.
• Females that are ⅞ or more Simmental will show in the Purebred Simmental Division.
• Females that are ½ to less than ⅞ Simmental will show as Percentage Simmental
SIMMENTAL FUTURITY
Eligibility for Simmental Futurity is as follows:
• Simmental heifers must be purchased at one of the following sales: *South Dakota Simmental Source Sale
*Rapid City Stock Show
*Watertown Winter Farm Show
• Simmental heifers will be sold as Purebred or Percentage Simmentals.
• Simmental steers may be purchased at the sales listed above or by private treaty from a South Dakota breeder. The calf must have been born/raised in South Dakota.
• Simmental steers must be at least 50% Simmental and have ASA Papers
• Breeder/Seller must be a paid member of the SD Simmental Association.
*If the seller is not a paid member at the time the form is submitted, the animal will not qualify for the Futurity Show.
• Breeder/Seller must pay the $40 futurity fee in order for the animal to be eligible.
• Futurity animals must be shown by the Junior who purchased the animal or by immediate family (parents, siblings, children).
• All futurity animals must be registered in the name of the Junior or immediate family member (parents, siblings, children) with the American Simmental Association.
• Futurity heifers and steers cannot be sold to immediate family members (parents, siblings, children).
• The SD Simmental Association has the right to DNA any animal should questions of eligibility arise.
• You must follow rules, regulations, and eligibility guidelines of the SD Summer Spotlight Show in order to show in the futurity show. (Must be a SD resident or in SD 4-H/FFA to quality).
• All entry fees plus added prize money or awards will be presented at the SD Simmental Futurity Show held in conjunction with the SD Summer Spotlight. Prizes may also be awarded at the SD Simmental Banquet in December.
• The futurity form is located on the SD Simmental Website- www.sdsimmental.com under the junior section. Entries are due June 1, 2026 and must be emailed to SDSimmental@gmail.com