Alaska Reined Cow Horse Association

08/19/2026

Here is the pattern for the ARCHA Bridleless Ranch Trail Class!

If you and your horse have been practicing without the reins, come give it a try at the Fireweed Spectacular.

It's just $25 to enter, and 100% of the entry fees go into the jackpot. Open, Amateur, and Youth riders will all compete together in one class.

Quick Rules:
• Neck ropes are allowed and may be used with one or two hands
• A bridle and reins can stay on your horse for safety
• Riders can use their seat, legs, voice, and neck rope
• Touching or using the reins results in disqualification
• Normal Ranch Trail penalties still apply
• Riders may skip an obstacle they feel is unsafe and take the appropriate penalty

Bridleless Ranch Trail will run with our Ranch Trail classes beginning Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Come have some fun, try something a little different, and see what you and your horse can do together!

08/18/2026

Semi-Private Lessons with Jon Hawthorne

Jon will be offering semi-private lessons Monday, August 31 at O Bar 7 Equine following the Fireweed Spectacular.

Lessons will focus on:
• Rein work
• Flag work
• Horsemanship

$100 per rider
2-hour sessions with only 2-3 riders per group.

Spots are limited and must be paid in full to reserve.

Contact Dot Hrncir at (907) 841-4875 to get scheduled.

08/18/2026

Fireweed Spectacular patterns are posted!

Time to start practicing! All patterns for the August 29-30 Fireweed Spectacular are included below. (Except the NRCHA reining pattern)

And for everyone asking about our Bridleless Ranch Trail, here are the rules:

BRIDLELESS RANCH TRAIL RULES:
• Riders complete the posted Ranch Trail pattern and obstacles.
• A neck rope is allowed and may be used with one or two hands.
• Riders may use their seat, legs, voice, and neck rope to guide their horse.
• You may leave a bridle and reins on your horse for safety, but you cannot use the reins.
• Touching or using the reins during the pattern results in disqualification. (Figure out how to secure them, so they don't need adjustment)
• Normal Ranch Trail penalties apply for refusals, missed obstacles, breaking pattern, and other errors.
• Riders may choose not to attempt an obstacle they feel is unsafe and will receive the appropriate penalty for that obstacle.
• The judge may excuse any horse and rider combination that becomes unsafe or out of control.

Think you and your horse can do it without the reins? Now you have the pattern. Time to find out!

Fireweed Spectacular
August 29-30 | Alaska State Fair | Palmer, Alaska

Sign up:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/AlaskaReinedCowHorseAssociation/FireweedSpectacularAugust2930

08/17/2026

The Fireweed Spectacular schedule is here!

Join us August 29-30 in Palmer during the Alaska State Fair.

Saturday
Show starts at 11:00 AM

Sunday
Show starts at 12:00 PM
Ranch Trail begins at 3:00 PM, including our Bridleless Ranch Trail class!

Since we're showing during the Alaska State Fair, exhibitors will need Fair admission passes. Discounted passes will be available once you have entered the show:

• Adults: $8
• Youth: $5
• Seniors 55+: $5

Once you've entered, contact ARCHA or Dot Hrncir to get your discounted Fair passes.

If you need a stall for the weekend, please let us know so we can get you on the list.

Sign up for the Fireweed Spectacular here:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/AlaskaReinedCowHorseAssociation/FireweedSpectacularAugust2930

Check out the schedule and get those entries in. We'll see you at the Alaska State Fair!

August 29-30 - Palmer, Alaska

08/08/2026

07/28/2026

The next stop for the ARCHA is the Alaska State Fair in Palmer on August 29-30, 2026. We can't wait to do it all again.
See you in the show pen.

07/27/2026

That's a wrap on the 2026 Klondike Stakes!
What a weekend. Beautiful weather, great runs, outstanding horses, tough cattle, and even better people made this one to remember.

Thank you to every exhibitor, volunteer, sponsor, judge, cattle crew, announcer, photographer, and spectator who helped make this show a success. Your support is what keeps cow horse growing in Alaska.

07/26/2026

It's Championship Sunday!

Good luck to everyone competing on the final day of the Klondike Stakes. Whether you're making your last run of the weekend or cheering from the stands, we hope you have a great day.

You can still sign up for today's classes at the show, so if you've been thinking about making a run, there's still time.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday, helped send off Raegan Klayum as she heads to Texas Tech, and made the first day of the Klondike Stakes such a success.

Let's finish the weekend strong. See you in the show pen!

07/26/2026

Day one of the Klondike Stakes is in the books!

From great runs and tough cattle to plenty of laughs and good company, Saturday was everything cow horse should be.

Thank you to everyone who competed, volunteered, sponsored, and cheered from the stands. Your support is what makes ARCHA possible.

We're not done yet! Join us tomorrow for another full day of competition. You can still sign up for Sunday's classes at the show.

07/25/2026

Today's the day!

Welcome to the Klondike Stakes! Good luck to everyone competing today. Whether you're here for your first run or chasing another buckle, we're glad you're spending the weekend with ARCHA.

You can still sign up for classes at the show, so if you're on the fence, come join us!

Today is also a special day for ARCHA.

After the show, please stay and help us celebrate Youth Board Member Raegan Klayum as she heads off to Texas Tech University to join the Ranch Horse Team. Raegan has been a tremendous ambassador for ARCHA and cow horse in Alaska, and we'd love to send her off with a big crowd of family, friends, and fellow competitors.

Good luck to everyone today, and we'll see you in the show pen!