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The Bill Wise American Saddlebred Sweepstakes Program promotes the breeding, training, and showing of American Saddlebred horses. For nearly 50 years, it has been instrumental in attracting new participants to the industry and has awarded over $6.5 million in prize money.
The Bill Wise American Saddlebred Sweepstakes Program was designed with specific objectives to advance the Saddlebred breed.
1. Promote Breeding Excellence - By providing financial incentives, the program encourages breeders to focus on producing high-quality Saddlebreds with superior conformation, gait, and temperament.
2. Support Training and Development - The program emphasizes the importance of training young horses to reach their full potential, ensuring that they were well-prepared for competition.
3. Expand Industry Participation - By offering substantial prize money and creating a prestigious platform, the program aims to attract new participants to the Saddlebred community, including breeders, trainers, and owners.
The structure of the program was carefully crafted to achieve these objectives. It features multiple classes for young horses, including Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, and Three-Gaited Park Pleasure for three- and four-year-olds, as well as Three-Gaited Park and Fine Harness for two-year-olds. These classes provide a comprehensive showcase for the versatility and talent of young Saddlebreds.
2025 Sweepstakes Locations
For 2025, the Sweepstakes classes are to be held at the following horse shows.
Each of the classes will be conducted under the governing rules set by each of the three respective horse shows
Compete in the Four-Year-Old Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, and Three-Gaited Park Pleasure classes.
Compete in the Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, and Three-Gaited Park Pleasure classes.
Compete in the Two-Year-Old Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, and Three-Gaited Park Pleasure classes.
$275 or $325
Yearling and Two-Year-Old payments
Option 1: $75 Due 6/1 (Yearling year)
Option 2: $125 Due 9/15 (Yearling year)
Required: $200 Due 6/1 (Two-Year-Old Year)
Separate nomination required for each year
$600 or $900
Yearling to Three-Year-Old payments
$200 OR $500 Due 3/1 (Yearling year)
Required: $200 Due 3/1 (Two-Year-Old Year)
Required: $200 Due 3/1 (Three-Year-Old Year)
Nominate by March 1 each year
$500-$750
Three and Four-Year-Old payments
Option 1: $250 Due 3/1 (Three-Year-Old Year)
Option 2: $500 Due 3/1 (Three-Year-Old Year)
Required: $250 Due 3/1 (Four-Year-Old Year)
Nominate by March 1 each year
The structure of the program was carefully crafted. The Sweepstakes classes provide a comprehensive showcase for the versatility and talent of young Saddlebreds.
In July 2025, the administration of the Sweepstakes Progam was transferred to Equine Sports Council Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, raise awareness, and advocate for the trotting breed show horse industry.
For 2026 and beyond, we are working to secure a more permanent home for the Bill Wise Saddlebred Sweepstakes program. Thank you to all nominators for your continued support of the Sweepstakes program.
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