JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Quarter Horse Association (MQHA) Board announced they will not hold the Dixie National Quarter Horse show in 2026.

According to the MQHA, they were unable to come to an agreement with the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo managements to “achieve an acceptable contract terms for the year 2026 that would allow for the logistics needed to host the show.”

MQHA officials said it’s the intent of the Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association to continue to produce and support the Equestrians with Disabilities Show (EWD), which will be held February 10-11, 2026.

WJTV 12 News reached out to Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson (R-Miss.) about the Quarter Horse show. He released the following statement:

I was surprised to learn that the Quarter Horse Association Board voted not to hold their Dixie National Quarter Horse show in 2026. As part of the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, all costs of the facilities for the Dixie National Quarter Horse Show (other than horse stalls) were covered in full by the Dixie National program which is funded in large part through sponsorships.

Upon review, I learned that Fairgrounds staff requested the Show to use equipment of the official sponsors of the Dixie National, and to provide some time for Rodeo cowboys and cowgirls to warm up in the shared covered practice arena. These requests seemed reasonable to me.

Since learning of their decision, I have spoken personally to a representative of the Quarter Horse Board and have invited them to return in 2026 on the same basis as all other Dixie National shows are invited to participate. I certainly hope the Board will reconsider their decision to cancel their own show.

We do look forward to another record-setting Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo in February 2026.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson (R-Miss.)