43rd Annual Minnesota Sheriff's Mounted Posse Association Wagon Train for Youth
September 11–13, 2026
Hosted by the Steele County Mounted Sheriff's Posse
📍 Steele County Fairgrounds
1525 S. Cedar Ave.
Owatonna, MN 55060
Join Us for Minnesota's Premier Charity Wagon Train!
The Minnesota Sheriff's Mounted Posse Association invites you to saddle up for the 43rd Annual Wagon Train for Youth, a weekend filled with scenic trail rides, outstanding food, fellowship, fundraising, and community spirit—all while making a difference for Minnesota's children.
This annual tradition brings together Mounted Sheriff's Posses, horse enthusiasts, families, and supporters from across the state to ride for a purpose. 100% of the proceeds from this event benefit Children's Minnesota Hospitals, helping provide life-changing care for children and their families. The Wagon Train also continues the legacy established in honor of Sheriff Don Eustice, whose commitment to serving Minnesota's youth inspired this event more than four decades ago.
Whether you're a seasoned rider or attending for the first time, you'll experience beautiful countryside, delicious meals, exciting fundraising activities, and the unmatched camaraderie of Minnesota's mounted posse community.
Weekend Schedule
Friday • September 11, 2026
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
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Participant arrival
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Registration and check-in
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Camping setup
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Horse stalling
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Meet old friends and make new ones before the weekend begins
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Saturday • September 12, 2026
7:00 AM
🍳 Hot Breakfast
9:00 AM
🐴 Wagon Train departs for approximately 12–14 miles
We'll enjoy a scenic ride through the beautiful Steele County countryside with a stop for a delicious boxed trail lunch before returning to the fairgrounds around 4:00 PM.
Saturday Evening
🥩 Brisket, Calico Beans & Potato Salad Supper
7:30 PM
❤️ Children's Minnesota Donation Presentation
Participating Sheriff's Posses will have the opportunity to proudly present the donations they have raised throughout the year in support of Children's Minnesota Hospitals.
8:00 PM
🔨 Live Auction
Join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and fundraising as we auction off fantastic donated items to further support our mission.
Sunday • September 13, 2026
7:00 AM
🍳 Hot Breakfast
9:30 AM
🐴 Wagon Train departs for approximately 8 miles
Return to the Steele County Fairgrounds around 11:30 AM.
Following the ride:
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Pack up camp
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Final farewells
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Depart by 3:00 PM
Registration Fees
Early Registration
Register by September 1, 2026
RegistrationCost
Saturday Only$45
Sunday Only$15
Full Weekend$60
Registration After September 1, 2026
RegistrationCost
Saturday Only$50
Sunday Only$20
Full Weekend$70
Registration Includes
✔ Saturday Hot Breakfast
✔ Saturday Boxed Trail Lunch
✔ Saturday Brisket Supper
✔ Sunday Hot Breakfast
✔ Scenic Wagon Train Rides
✔ Evening Donation Presentation
✔ Live Auction
✔ Camping at the Steele County Fairgrounds
✔ Fellowship with Mounted Sheriff's Posses from across Minnesota
Registration & Payment
Please mail completed registration forms and payment to:
Steele County Mounted Posse
c/o Becky Schwering
7458 SE 68th Street
Claremont, MN 55924
Make Checks Payable To:
SCMP
Support a Great Cause
Every mile ridden, every meal shared, every auction bid, and every donation helps improve the lives of children and families receiving care through Children's Minnesota Hospitals. Your participation helps continue a tradition of service, compassion, and community that has defined the Wagon Train for Youth for more than 40 years.
We look forward to welcoming you to Steele County this September for another memorable weekend of riding, friendship, and giving back.
We'll see you on the trail! 🤠🐴
$8,000
Raised in
2024!
$15,000
Raised in
2025!
$6,000
Raised in
2023!
Le Sueur County Sheriff, Pat Smith Sr., and Waseca County Sheriff Don Eustice started a boys' group home in Waseca in 1975, to serve both counties for wayward boys. The grant that helped get the Waseca-Le Sueur County Boys Home established, was applied for by Don. This later expanded into several counties in MN known as Youth Ranches of MN. On September 4th, 1976, Don went, with deputy, Mert Schwartz, to serve a commitment paper to a mentally ill man in Waseca County. The man had known Don for a long time in fact, he had brought garden produce to the jail the previous week. When Don and Deputy Mert arrived at the farmhouse, they called the man to come outside - he opened the door, raised up his shotgun, and shot Don in the chest.
The Wagon Train has continued, started by Mert, in Don's honor, for 42 years to raise money to help our youth. $1,000 goes to the MN State Mounted Posse Association’s Donald Eustice Memorial Scholarship Fund to award members and/or family members who further their education in Law Enforcement. Most recently, the Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota have received the remaining money donated to help families that need medical help and need to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.
Today, Posse Members, Equine Enthusiasts, and their communities all join together in the MN State Mounted Posse Association's largest Fundraiser of the year, to continue to raise money for our Youth and their families! We are excited to be giving our donation to the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MN, again this year!! We hope you will join us this year at this Amazing event!
Upcoming Hosting Counties
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