Midwest Pole Bending Association
A rider turning hard around a pole
A rider weaving the poles at an MPBA production
A horse and rider rounding the first pole
Running the poles in front of a full arena
A rider driving out of the last pole

Equine Pole Bending · Established 2012

Poles. Points.
Payouts.

A timed equine sport. One horse, one rider, six poles, and the clock.

Become a Member 2026 Schedule

Who We Are

Two things under one roof

The association is the membership, the season points race, the rules and the year-end awards, funded entirely by dues. MPBA Productions is the show side: the events we put on ourselves each year. You can take part in either one without the other: run our shows without being a member, or be a member and never haul to one.

Points are what tie them together, and they come from three places.

How Membership Works
Shows MPBA puts on

MPBA Productions

×2

The shows MPBA Productions runs itself each year, at R&J Arena in Verndale and at arenas beyond it. Every one is sanctioned, so points count double, and the office submits them for you.

Shows others put on

Sanctioned Tour Stops

×2

Shows run by other producers who have sanctioned the date with MPBA. Points count double here too, and the producer sends the results in. They join our own shows on one tour stop list that runs all season.

Everywhere else

Any Open Show

×1

Any open pole bending show in Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska and the states around them. Single points, and you send your own placing in.

See all three
An Open rider running the poles
Open riders run 1D, 2D and 3D at every stop.
A Youth rider running the poles
Youth is 18 and under, with its own standings.
Members walking their horses at an MPBA show
Members haul to MPBA Productions shows all season long.

Tier one · 2026 Season

Shows MPBA Puts On

The shows MPBA Productions puts on itself. For the full tour stop list, and for everything else that counts, see all three tiers.

Twisted Clover logo
Mar20-222026
×2

Twisted Clover

R&J Arena · Verndale, MN

Tour Stop
Ask about entries
Spring Tune Up logo
Apr10-122026
×2

Spring Tune Up

R&J Arena · Verndale, MN

Tour Stop
Ask about entries
Race for the Roses & R&J Classic Futurity and Maturity logo
May1-32026
×2

Race for the Roses & R&J Classic Futurity and Maturity

R&J Arena · Verndale, MN

Tour StopFuturity & MaturityYear-End Awards
Ask about entries
Prospector Challenge 1 logo
May8-102026
×2

Prospector Challenge 1

Central States Fairground · Rapid City, SD

Tour Stop
Ask about entries
Prospector Challenge Finals & Black Hills Classic Pole Bending logo
May29-312026
×2

Prospector Challenge Finals & Black Hills Classic Pole Bending

Central States Fairground · Rapid City, SD

Tour StopFuturity & Maturity
Ask about entries
Madrinas Challenge & Midwest Pole Bending Championships logo
Jun26-282026

Madrinas Challenge & Midwest Pole Bending Championships

R&J Arena · Verndale, MN

ChampionshipsFuturity & MaturityChloe’s Courage Fund
Ask about entries
Sioux County High Money logo
Jul11-122026
×2

Sioux County High Money

3028 360th Street · Sioux Center, IA

Tour Stop
Entry Form
MN Challenge logo
Jul 31Aug 22026
×2

MN Challenge

R&J Arena · Verndale, MN

Tour Stop
Ask about entries
PEWC Finals logo
Oct9-112026
×2

PEWC Finals

R&J Arena · Verndale, MN

Finals$20,000 PEWC BonusSlot Races
Details

The 2026 season is complete. The 2027 schedule will be posted here.

ActivateQiAcutarapy/Tara RaffteryAl BraunworthBMP Auto Shine DetailingCalico Cavvy CoCharlie HorseD & M EquineEquipeak PerformanceGreggerson SepticThe Hancock Real Estate GroupHomegrown Classic StallionHorse GuardKerkow Barrel Horses LLCKnippling KustomsLiman Post BeamLonghorn Beads & Blankets/Jenna HeggMidwest RodeosMohair TackMontana Rose Equine Therapy LLCPEWC FoundationRustic RoseSweet Like A Red Mare BakeryYoung Widow LivingActivateQiAcutarapy/Tara RaffteryAl BraunworthBMP Auto Shine DetailingCalico Cavvy CoCharlie HorseD & M EquineEquipeak PerformanceGreggerson SepticThe Hancock Real Estate GroupHomegrown Classic StallionHorse GuardKerkow Barrel Horses LLCKnippling KustomsLiman Post BeamLonghorn Beads & Blankets/Jenna HeggMidwest RodeosMohair TackMontana Rose Equine Therapy LLCPEWC FoundationRustic RoseSweet Like A Red Mare BakeryYoung Widow Living
All Shows
A rider running the poles at the PEWC Finals
Running the poles at R&J Arena
Grand entry at R&J Arena

October 9 to 11, 2026

PEWC Finals

The one everybody hauls for. Three days at R&J Arena in Verndale, Minnesota.

The 2025 Finals alone paid out over $176,000 of the season total. This year carries a $20,000 bonus sidepot for PEWC members, no entry fee, plus added money in the Open 5D, the Pole Bending 3D, the All Runs Count weekend and the ActivateQi class on Saturday.

Finals Details

How It Works

Four steps to a year-end title

Join MPBA

$30 for the year, Open or Youth. All of it goes to year-end awards.

Run poles

Enter MPBA tour stops for double points, or any open pole bending event in the region.

Submit your points

Send your placings in by the 10th of the month after the event.

Watch the standings

Updated around the 20th of each month, all season long.

Join Now Submit Points

Thank You

Our 2026 Sponsors

These businesses make the awards, the added money and the tour possible.

  • ActivateQi
  • Acutarapy/Tara Rafftery
  • Al Braunworth
  • BMP Auto Shine Detailing
  • Calico Cavvy Co
  • Charlie Horse
  • D & M Equine
  • Equipeak Performance
  • Greggerson Septic
  • The Hancock Real Estate Group
  • Homegrown Classic Stallion
  • Horse Guard
  • Kerkow Barrel Horses LLC
  • Knippling Kustoms
  • Liman Post Beam
  • Longhorn Beads & Blankets/Jenna Hegg
  • Midwest Rodeos
  • Mohair Tack
  • Montana Rose Equine Therapy LLC
  • PEWC Foundation
  • Rustic Rose
  • Sweet Like A Red Mare Bakery
  • Young Widow Living
Sponsor & Vendor Info

Ready to run with us?

Membership is open to riders of every age and level. Join, ride, submit your points, and chase a year-end title.

Become a Member Contact MPBA