OUR TEAMS

Webster’s dictionary defines a “renegade” as “an individual who rejects conventional behavior”. The MidWest Renegade Equestrian Drill team is always looking for new, exciting, fun ways to bring the thrill of drill to their audiences. Since 2004 the MidWest Renegades Equestrian Drill Team from Woodstock, Illinois has been dedicated to providing quality entertainment for their audiences while keeping the fun in riding.  In addition to the challenges of maintaining the choreography of position, distance and speed the use of flags requires extra skill, determination and training. Horses can get scared when their rider is carrying a flag, or when other riders with flags approach them. Riders with flags are required to operate the reins with one hand and maintain flag position with the other. The Midwest Renegades have performed several different drills with flags and other thematic props. 

The goal of the Rebel team is to keep the fun in riding. Quality riders, precision maneuvers and a few crowd-pleasing antics along the way are the mark of the top-quality equestrian drill team.  The Rebels are also honored to provide stirring flag presentations at many events. Whether that is starting an event with the National Anthem or recognizing the men and women that served in our country’s armed forces, the Rebels carry the flags with pride. The privilege of presenting our Country's standard is one that we cherish, and we strive to carefully adhere to proper flag protocol in all of our performances. These riders and their horses are available to perform at your next event. 

Although very happy with riding drill, some of the Renegades got a bit restless and wanted something more daring. In true Renegade style, they broke the mold in 2008 with the introduction of the trick riding, high performance team called, the MidWest Renegade Dare Devils!!  Riders range in ages from 16 – 30+, from all walks of life; eager to push beyond what anyone thought was possible. They combine the precision of drill with the acrobatic flare of trick-riding, which brings a whole new level of excitement to drill team riding.  Most trick riding demonstrations consist of one person doing a trick, usually with a barrier to keep the horse moving in a straight line. The Dare Devils perform tricks 6-10 at a time, with no barriers.

The MidWest Renegade Dirt Devils is a team designed for riders ages 7-18. In 2008 the children stopped watching and joined the fun. Boy have they done a great job. Their first performance was in early October of 2008, after only 2 practices. The coaches teach the kids how to combine the fundamentals of riding with music and choreography. The Dirt Devils have shown an incredible ability to pick up new maneuvers very quickly. The rider/horse partners have to be in the right position at the right time. On more than one occasion they have competed against, and out-placed adult teams in various competitions They have also challenged the other Renegade teams with their level of commitment to each other…not to mention being the cutest of the Renegade teams.

In fine Renegade form we often discover that one member or another from our teams have skills and interests that are not showcased as part of the team performances. Each year the coaches offer an opportunity for riders to shine individually by presenting a specialty act developed from that personal spark. The displays of talent run the gamut from mainstream equine sports, through a host of comedic spoofs that offer a change of pace, and displays of courage, horse training and skill. Performances that are selected from that Specialty Act audition often appear in shows throughout our performance season. We are happy to entertain your inquires regarding our current offerings and provide our recommendations as to which acts could best complement a MidWest Renegades performance at your event.

Any team in any sport will perform poorly without coaching. The MidWest Renegades are blessed 

with a coaching staff that commit a tremendous amount of time and energy to working with each member of the team (human and equine) to help us realize our potential, and to make us more than the sum of our parts. Without their efforts our teams would not be where 

they are today.